Emerging WAFLW talents to feature in AFLW Futures showcase in MelbourneWednesday, September 3, 2025 - 11:15 AM - by Jordan McArdle

Seven emerging AFLW Draft prospects from WA have been selected for the annual AFLW National Futures Girls clash after eye-catching WAFLW and National Under-18s carnival campaigns.

The clash, featuring the best young talents eligible for next year’s AFLW Draft, will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Round 5 AFLW game between Richmond and Geelong at Ikon Park on Sunday, September 14.

The WA contingent is headlined by West Perth ruck Cara Dziegielewski, who earned AFLW Under-18s All-Australian honours after a brilliant national championship as a bottom-ager.

Dziegielewski was one of just four 2008-born players to have made the 2025 All-Australia team, helping WA come within a goal of winning the national carnival.

Others West Aussies in the squad are fellow Falcon Lexi Strachan, Perth rebounding defender Mia Carlshausen, Peel Thunder’s Heidi Ireland, East Fremantle tall Avuya Nomlatyu and South Fremantle’s Marie Polimeno who were all part of WA’s under-18s squad.

Talented Claremont goal-kicker India Bonadeo was also selected in a boost to her draft hopes.

“This is a terrific reward for our seven girls selected to further enhance their AFLW draft stocks on the big stage and match it with the best talent in the country,” WA Football’s Manager Female Talent Programs and Coaching Specialist Trent Cooper said.

“I’m excited about what the future holds for these young women and I’m looking forward to seeing how they continue to develop heading into their draft year.

“The group were really important as bottom-agers in our AFLW National Under-18s Championship campaign and showed plenty of promising signs in the WAFLW and Hart Sport Rogers Cup this season.”

The girls squad will arrive in Melbourne for a three-day camp from September 12-14, concluding with the showcase game.

Players were nominated for the Futures program by state talent programs, national selectors and AFL and AFLW club recruiters.

The 2025 Marsh AFLW National Futures clash will be broadcast live on the AFLW website and AFL Live Official App.