2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Macy Fair
AFTER a heartbreaking early end to her top-age season, returning over-ager Macy Fair is determined not to dwell on the past. An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on the eve of her 18th year put any future development on hold for a while, but after plenty of reflection and advice from others, the 2007-born Fair […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Lexi Strachan
NATIONAL Academy member Lexi Strachan is a name to remember for this year’s AFLW Draft, and alongside fellow Falcon Cara Dziegielewski, headline Western Australia’s top-age brigade. Strachan is a powerful midfielder who can also roll forward and hit the scoreboard, and has plenty of upside to-boot. We spoke to Strachan at the recent Western Australia […]
TOP 5s | 2026 West Australian Boys Preseason Testing
WESTERN Australia’s speedsters showed out at the recent preseason testing combine, with state squad member Finlay Yeo setting a new AFL agility test record. The East Fremantle and Dockers Next Generation Academy (NGA) member stopped the clock at 7.642 seconds to break new ground ahead of his top-age season. >> SCROLL to see the Top […]
Preseason Q&A: George Gale (Claremont)
CLAREMONT heads into 2026 on the back of a third-consecutive WAFL Colts flag, still possessing a wealth of exciting prospects. Among them is stylish outside utility George Gale. The wingman/defender averaged 20.1 disposals and 5.3 marks per game in last year’s premiership side, utilising his sharp foot skills and composed decision making along the way. […]
TOP 5s | 2026 West Australian Girls Preseason Testing
THE FIRST of many state-based preseason testing events is in the books with the top West Australian talent taking to the courts of the Gold Netball Centre. The youth-focused WAFL Women’s event centred around those over-agers and below with plenty of outstanding results. >> SCROLL for the Top 5 in each test One of the […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Summer Ajduk
A BREAKOUT season in her debut year for Swan Districts’ WAFL Women’s side, Summer Ajduk forced her way back into the state program and could be a notable eye-catcher for the Black Ducks. Ajduk has taken each opportunity as it has come, and will be a key link between midfield and attack in 2026. We […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Cienna Leslie
EAST Fremantle top-ager Cienna Leslie has played across all thirds of the ground, and the young Shark is ready to make those experiences count in 2026. A member of the West Australian summer squad, the Carlton supporter is chasing her dream of reaching the big time. We spoke to Leslie at the recent West Australian […]
State teammates single Steed as one to watch
SWAN Districts midfielder Leo Steed has been the talk of the preseason out west, with several of his state summer squad teammates expecting big things in 2026. Steed missed out on last year’s winter squad, which he says has added “fuel to the fire” as he looks to impress during his top-age campaign. Having already […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Tayah Nicholson
NAMED best on ground in last year’s Rogers Cup Grand Final, Tayah Nicholson is hoping that can propel her into an even bigger 2026 campaign. The top-ager started her West Australian pathway journey at local level, but has become a big feature of the Falcons’ three-peat at Rogers Cup level, and now her sights are […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Heidi Ireland
PEEL Thunder prospect Heidi Ireland had a memorable bottom-age season in 2025, predominantly playing WAFL Women’s League football, while also making the West Australian Under 18s state side. Mostly deployed as a defender who could also be a stronger body in the midfield, Ireland has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. We spoke […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Macy Fair
AFTER a heartbreaking early end to her top-age season, returning over-ager Macy Fair is determined not to dwell on the past. An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on the eve of her 18th year put any future development on hold for a while, but after plenty of reflection and advice from others, the 2007-born Fair […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Lexi Strachan
NATIONAL Academy member Lexi Strachan is a name to remember for this year’s AFLW Draft, and alongside fellow Falcon Cara Dziegielewski, headline Western Australia’s top-age brigade. Strachan is a powerful midfielder who can also roll forward and hit the scoreboard, and has plenty of upside to-boot. We spoke to Strachan at the recent Western Australia […]
TOP 5s | 2026 West Australian Girls Preseason Testing
THE FIRST of many state-based preseason testing events is in the books with the top West Australian talent taking to the courts of the Gold Netball Centre. The youth-focused WAFL Women’s event centred around those over-agers and below with plenty of outstanding results. >> SCROLL for the Top 5 in each test One of the […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Summer Ajduk
A BREAKOUT season in her debut year for Swan Districts’ WAFL Women’s side, Summer Ajduk forced her way back into the state program and could be a notable eye-catcher for the Black Ducks. Ajduk has taken each opportunity as it has come, and will be a key link between midfield and attack in 2026. We […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Cienna Leslie
EAST Fremantle top-ager Cienna Leslie has played across all thirds of the ground, and the young Shark is ready to make those experiences count in 2026. A member of the West Australian summer squad, the Carlton supporter is chasing her dream of reaching the big time. We spoke to Leslie at the recent West Australian […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Tayah Nicholson
NAMED best on ground in last year’s Rogers Cup Grand Final, Tayah Nicholson is hoping that can propel her into an even bigger 2026 campaign. The top-ager started her West Australian pathway journey at local level, but has become a big feature of the Falcons’ three-peat at Rogers Cup level, and now her sights are […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Heidi Ireland
PEEL Thunder prospect Heidi Ireland had a memorable bottom-age season in 2025, predominantly playing WAFL Women’s League football, while also making the West Australian Under 18s state side. Mostly deployed as a defender who could also be a stronger body in the midfield, Ireland has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. We spoke […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Scarlet Gallo
SUBIACO top-ager Scarlet Gallo got a taste for WAFL Women’s League action last season when she played six matches at the top West Australian flight, while also building her game through the Rogers Cup (10 matches). The forward/midfielder was elevated into the WA summer squad leading into 2026, and is hoping to go to another […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Cara Dziegielewski
AN ALL-AUSTRALIAN at bottom-age level, Cara Dziegielewski is one of the leading West Australians in this year’s AFLW Draft. Alongside close friend Lexi Strachan, the West Perth duo form two thirds of the Sandgropers’ National AFLW Academy talent. We spoke to Dziegielewski at the WAFLW Preseason Testing day about her football journey, experiences through the […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Mel Grage (Perth)
TENACIOUS small forward Mel Grage had a breakout year in 2025, surpassing even the bottom-ager’s expectations. Only predicting she’d run out for Perth in the Rogers Cup, Grage finished the season as a lock in the League side, as well as representing Western Australia on the national stage. Now back in the WA summer squad, […]