Ava Stewart Draft Profile

Swan DistrictsKey Position Utility

#28

Ava Stewart

height: 180cm

weight:

D.O.B: 25-11-2007

Leagues: WAFL Women's, AFLW U18 Championships

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “An athletic tall utility who made strides in her top-age season to put herself in draft contention.”

Ava Stewart made promising steps in 2025, becoming more well-rounded and consistent which in turn lead to the highly athletic tall earning a State Draft Combine invite. Standing at 180cm, Stewart is effective in the air and able to use the ball efficiently when coming out of the back half of the ground. When inside 50, she provides a target who can recover well using her mobility and speed.

Stewart’s footballing journey started at Darlington in the Metro Central competition, with the West Australian spending a couple of years there before moving to Belmont. It was not until 2023 when Stewart started filtering into the state league pathways, splitting her time between Rogers Cup and the WAFLW in what was a huge rise up from local football.

The tall defender also represented the Sandgropers against South Australia at the National Development Championships that year, before becoming a more consistent feature for Swan Districts in 2024. After two early finals exits, Stewart worked hard to cement her spot in the WAFLW in a side that was once again finals-bound.

Unfortunately for the teenager, she was omitted ahead of the senior finals, instead named as an emergency and played in the Swans’ preliminary final loss to Claremont at Rogers Cup level. That was her only game in the competition for the season, having added 10 League games to her tally to make it 27 in three season.

On the representative front, she played all four national championships games where she was able to hold down the fort in defence, and aside from one minor brainfade in the dying moments of the Sandgropers’ clash with Vic Metro where she accidentally kicked the ball out on the full in the back pocket, Stewart was solid throughout the carnival.

Her athletic profile combined with her experience across multiple levels helped her earn a State Draft Combine invite and keep herself in the AFLW Draft frame.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Competitiveness
+ Decision making
+ Athleticism
+ Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

- One-on-ones
- Production

A developing tall, Stewart is one who might not be ready for the elite level at day dot, but has some promising traits and with time and work on some of her improvements, she can be a competitive one-on-one defender, or even forward.

In 2025, Stewart further emphasised her athleticism both in the air and at ground level. She has a high vertical leap which enables her to fly for marks, or quite often spoil, to deny the opposition. Stewart seemed to settle into the back half of the ground and her strengths lean more towards her being a taller defender, as she can make good decisions and execute out of the back half. While at times her composure for that final execution can improve, she has a long kick which helps and her decision making further aids in that.

A competitive tall who will take on any challenge, Stewart does not have the strength to engage in too many wrestles, but will usually get her arms up and use her extra hops to pull down the ball. Not a high-possession player by any means, Stewart still took her fair share of marks all things considered, averaging at least two marks per game the past three seasons, from only seven touches.

Stewart is not going to be a high volume ball-winner and that is more than fine as she makes good decisions with ball in hand and also an effective technique. Even if she does turn it over, it is usually going to the right spots or to the advantage of a teammate prior to the opposition just reading the situation better.

The upside Stewart can bring to the table will be a positive tick in her favour and clubs will view her as a player they can mould. A Fremantle supporter, the West Australian also models her game on Molly O'Hehir, boasting some similar traits, albeit at a much rawer stage. Always focusing on getting better, Stewart is one without expectations, but more just determined to keep improving and seeing where the game can take her.

DRAFT RANGE: Late

SUMMARY:

A raw tall utility with an ability to play up either end, Ava Stewart is a stereotypical late selection because of those athletic and footballing traits. She is one that West Australian clubs will particularly look at to top up some tall depth, but even if not chosen this year, will be one to keep in mind for the coming seasons with further development.

WAFL Women's

Season	Team	K	HB	D	M	T	HO	I50	GM	K	H	D	M	HO	T	G	DC
2023	Swan Districts	27	3	30	13	12	0	0	6	4.5	0.5	5.0	2.2	0.0	2.0	0.0	21
2024	Swan Districts	56	28	84	28	19	1	2	11	5.1	2.5	7.6	2.5	0.1	1.7	0.0	28
2025	Swan Districts	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	-	83	31	114	41	31	1	2	17	4.9	1.8	6.7	2.4	0.1	1.8	0.0	49