WAFLW Ones to Watch: Mia Russo (West Perth)Tuesday, July 22, 2025 - 10:14 AM

Western Australia could see as many as five players selected in the first round of November’s AFLW draft and a West Perth star could be the first selected. 

Mia Russo is a powerful, explosive midfielder with elite offensive attributes.

Russo has been long touted as a five-star talent after winning MVP honours at the AFL Under 16’s National Championships and being named best on ground in the Falcons’ Rogers Cup premiership team in 2023.

The Wanneroo product was also a back-to-back Rogers Cup Best and Fairest and she took that form and stepped into senior football last year as a bottom-ager and booted 12 goals in 14 matches while averaging more than 17 disposals per game. 

In 2025, she has taken her game to another level, averaging over 21 disposals through six senior games.

Her ball-winning ability is impressive as a 17-year-old; she currently leads West Perth’s WAFLW side in possessions per game.

She has spent time on the sidelines over the last two seasons but recently returned to play in Western Australia’s third Under 18’s AFL National Championships game and immediately reminded everyone why she is so highly rated, winning 17 disposals and five clearances, laying six tackles and booting two goals as one of the best players on the ground in the state’s first victory of the carnival. 

In the game against Vic Metro, Russo was WA’s first goalkicker and led from the front, dominating through the midfield and bursting forward to slot her second major not long after.

Russo has always been a goalkicker, her scoreboard impact felt heavily throughout her career.

As a 14 and 15-year-old playing in the Rogers Cup competition for the Falcons she kicked 16 goals across 22 matches in 2022 and 2023.

She then nailed almost two scoring shots per game as a forward in her first season of WAFLW senior football as a 16-year-old.

Russo spoke to RookieMe during the preseason and said that she found it difficult playing up forward, despite her goals-per-contest record in 2024 suggesting she thrived in the new role. 

While questions about her ability to stay on the park continue, her professionalism has never been doubted and her performance in her first game back enhanced her prospects moving forward.

West Perth Head of Women’s Football Luke Richardson is a huge fan of Mia.

“Mia’s ‘grit’ is something we adore at the Falcons,” Richardson said.

“She looks at setbacks as opportunities for growth and through the injuries she’s dealt with, she continues to return in great shape both physically and mentally.

“Her drive to be the very best she can be is constant and is something we’re exceptionally happy to have witnessed over the years as she’s dominated both Rogers Cup and WAFLW competitions.”

Russo has previously stated she thinks that she overworked herself and that doing too much is what led to her injuries.

Her eagerness to improve at every possible opportunity is a positive trait to have, but she feels now that she has learnt how to control herself and stay within her body’s capabilities.

As a predominantly offensive runner, Russo’s defensive effort could be seen as a weakness, but her power and gut running ability means that there is upside in her game, given that an added defensive aspect could allow her to impact the game even more at both ends of the ground.

There has also been significant improvement in this regard since last year, yet another positive sign for the potential top ten pick. 

Richardson was asked about what makes Russo such a dominant offensive player.

“Russo’s offence stems from fantastic defence,” he said.

“Her desire to hunt the player and the ball means she’s rewarded with ball in hand where her burst from inside-to-out is, at times, unmatched by opposition.

“As she bursts from congestion, she continues to have a great ability to retain possession through great ball use, which is another highlight to her offensive game.”

For those who haven’t had the chance to see Russo play, picture a contested beast who cares only for winning the football at the coalface, mixed with a superb running ability and pure speed and explosiveness from stoppage.

Possessing an inside and outside blend is rare in midfielders, and with her cleanliness at ground level and willingness to do the grunt work, Russo projects as a future elite AFLW midfielder.