{"id":192173,"date":"2025-06-12T12:49:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T02:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=192173"},"modified":"2025-06-12T12:49:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T02:49:52","slug":"western-australia-names-2025-aflw-u18s-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/06\/12\/western-australia-names-2025-aflw-u18s-squad\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Australia names 2025 AFLW U18s squad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WESTERN Australia has locked in a squad of 32 players for the upcoming AFL Women’s Under 18 National Championships with a number of fresh faces included in the Sandgropers’ squad. Among the inclusions are over-ager Zoe Keley<\/a> who returns to the state squad having represented WA at last year’s national championships, and Perth pair, Mel Grage<\/a> and Sienna Timmermans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other inclusions from the initial summer squad are South Fremantle defender Melinda Bobby<\/a> who has been in fantastic form through the WAFLW, and her Bulldogs teammate Shaya Yarran<\/a>, as well as West Perth’s Rikisha Nannup<\/a> and Claremont’s Emma Henderson<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Australia’s squad features six AFL Women’s National Academy members headlined by Subiaco talls Olivia Wolmarans<\/a> and Olivia Crane<\/a>. West Perth midfielder Mia Russo<\/a> won the Under 16s MVP when the 2007-born age group faced off at those Development Championships, while Peel Thunder defender Evie Cowcher<\/a> has won her state’s past two MVPs at Under 18s level. Forwards, Alicia Blizard<\/a> (East Fremantle) and Alira Fotu<\/a> (South Fremantle) are the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cowcher (back stress fractures) has been on the sidelines for a little while, while Russo has been nursing hamstring tightness. Fotu is also yet to play in 2025, having concentrated a lot on her basketball as a member of the Perth Lynx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renee Morgan<\/a>, Carys D’Addario<\/a>, Lucy Greenwood<\/a> and Sienna Gerardi<\/a> have all represented the All Stars against the National Academy this year, while closer to home the likes of East Fremantle defender Maya Louvel-Finn<\/a>, Claremont midfielder Juliet Kelly<\/a> and her Tigers’ forward Ella Gilbey<\/a> have been other top-agers to catch the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talented forwards Layla Quinn-Schofield<\/a> (Subiaco) and Eva Flynn<\/a> (South Fremantle) and defenders, Marie Polimeno<\/a> (South Fremantle), Addison Opalinski<\/a> (Perth), Ava Stewart<\/a> (Swan Districts) and Sunni-Quay Peters<\/a> (Subiaco) are among the other top-agers to retain their spot in the squad from the summer hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking to the future and West Perth pair Lexi Strachan<\/a> and Cara Dziegielewski<\/a> are the two main names, though Charli Bassett<\/a> (East Perth), Mia Carlshausen<\/a> (Perth) and Heidi Ireland<\/a> (Peel Thunder) have also been outstanding for their respective clubs from those who have remained in the WAFLW State Academy. East Fremantle’s Avuya Nomlatyu<\/a> is yet to play a League game but also retained her spot in the squad having kicked nine goals from five games at Rogers Cup level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Australia takes on Claremont in a trial game on Saturday before heading to Melbourne on June 22 where the Sandgropers face Queensland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claremont [3]: <\/strong>Ella Gilbey, Emma Henderson, Juliet Kelly
East Fremantle [3]: <\/strong>Alicia Blizard, Maya Louvel-Finn, Avuya Nomlatyu
East Perth [2]:<\/strong> Charli Bassett, Lucy Greenwood
Peel Thunder [2]: <\/strong>Evie Cowcher, Heidi Ireland
Perth [4]: <\/strong>Mia Carlshausen, Mel Grage, Addison Opalinski, Sienna Timmermans
South Fremantle [7]: <\/strong>Melinda Bobby, Eva Flynn, Alira Fotu, Zoe Keley, Renee Morgan, Marie Polimeno, Shaya Yarran
Subiaco [4]:<\/strong> Olivia Crane, Sunni-Quay Peters, Layla Quinn-Schofield, Olivia Wolmarans
Swan Districts [3]: <\/strong>Carys D’Addario, Sienna Gerardi, Ava Stewart
West Perth [4]:<\/strong> Cara Dziegielewski, Rikisha Nannup, Mia Russo, Lexi Strachan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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