30 players to watch as ATCO WAFLW season kicks off

From new recruits to former AFLW stars, WAFLW premiership heroes, cross-code talents and AFLW Draft prospects, the 2026 ATCO WAFLW season is stacked with exciting talent. We take a look at 30 players to watch when the season kicks off this weekend.

Jayme Harken (Claremont)

The best player in the competition who’s WAFLW CV is unmatched with two Dhara Kerr Medals and back-to-back Lou Knitter Medals in Claremont’s last two premierships. A powerful on-baller who is nearly impossible to stop.

Krstel Petrevski (Subiaco)

A prolific former Melbourne and West Coast midfielder who became the first First Nations player to win the Dhara Kerr Medal last season.

Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)

Just keeps getting better. A real ball magnet who’s coming off a career-best season and looks set to take another step forward in 2026 for last season’s grand finalists.

Swan Districts midfielder Jaime Henry is a star of the ATCO WAFLW competition.

Lisa Steane (Subiaco)

Forms a dominant one-two midfield punch with Petrevski at Subiaco and is one of the keys to their premiership hopes.

Isabella Shannon (Perth)

Shannon, a former St Kilda on-baller, starred in her debut season in the WAFLW and looms as one of the favourites to win the Dhara Kerr Medal this year as the Demons eye a maiden finals berth.

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Juliet Kelly (Claremont)

Seriously unlucky not to get drafted last year, the Claremont ball magnet and tackling machine will no doubt have a point to prove as she hunts an AFLW opportunity.

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Mikayla Hyde (South Fremantle)

An exciting addition for South Fremantle, the ex-Fremantle and Collingwood speedster is set to light up Fremantle Community Bank Oval in a half-back/wing role.

Mikayla Hyde impressed on debut for South Fremantle during the pre-season. Picture: Peter Keleman Photography

Katelyn Cox (Perth)

Cox joins Perth with five seasons of AFLW experience, most recently with Richmond, in arguably the most exciting off-season addition in the competition. A multiple top-10 club fairest-and-best finisher, she is renowned for her running capacity, work rate, and football IQ.

Sarah Viney (Claremont)

Viney was crowned the Tigers’ fairest-and-best winner for 2025 in a sign of her midfield dominance in their premiership season. Averaged 20 disposals and nine tackles per game in a consistent campaign and looms as another key in Claremont’s flag defence.

Poppy Stockwell (Perth)

A multi-talented athlete who’s been a professional cricketer and footballer. Signed with Perth during the off-season after spending time on Fremantle’s AFLW list, where she made two appearances last year. The South Fremantle product will add serious fire-power to the Demons’ attack.

Cara Dziegielewski (West Perth)

Dziegielewski, one of WA’s top draft prospects, is an athletic ruck talent who claimed All-Australian selection last year and is a member of the AFLW National Academy. A good ball user, the West Perth product has the ability to go forward to provide a goal-kicking option.

Mackenzie Webb (East Fremantle)

Highly-skilled utility recruited from Claremont with 48 WAFL games and three AFLW games with West Coast. With strong finals and premiership experience Webb is the complete player at 21 with outstanding athletic attributes, elite kicking skills and is a genuine competitor.

Tiani Teakle (East Fremantle)

Teakle has taken the reins as East Fremantle skipper this season and is such a reliable key defender who has shown she can also be an attacking weapon if needed.

East Fremantle WAFLW skipper Tiani Teakle.

Kate Bartlett (Peel Thunder)

Champion goal-kicker and former AFLW player Kate Bartlett is back for Peel Thunder’s WAFLW side after a stint in Peel Football Netball League. Is a two-time leading goal-kicker of the WAFLW who has also represented West Coast and the Western Bulldogs at AFLW level.

Mia Carlshausen (Perth)

Carlshausen emerged as a reliable defender in the WAFLW side in 2025 and is a member of the AFLW National Academy. Carlshausen, who was part of Perth’s inaugural Rogers Cup side, also has the ability to play as a forward or in the midfield.

Ashley Sharp (Swan Districts)

After 34 matches for Fremantle (2017-2022) and having had three children, Sharp is a welcome addition to Swan Districts’ squad as they look to go one better in 2026. A mature and classy forward who knows her way around the goals, Sharp is another senior player who will help the young squad take the next step.

Courtney Zappara (East Perth)

Courtney comes to East Perth after spending time away from WAFLW. She is an established WAFLW footballer, winning the Joanne Huggins Leading Goal Kicker award in the WAFLW competition back in 2024.

Izzy Foletta (East Perth)

Foletta has joined the program following a code switch from soccer (Perth Glory) to Australian Rules. She has demonstrated significant potential as a cross-code athlete and has already brought strong leadership qualities and high-performance standards to the group.

Matilda Sergeant (Claremont)

The former AFLW Docker and Eagle is another key cog of Claremont’s recent success. Coming off a massive 2025 finals campaign in the midfield where she averaged 22 disposals and 11.5 tackles.

Courtney Lindgren (Subiaco)

The 23-year-old 174cm key forward was selected by the West Coast Eagles as an injury replacement player ahead of the 2025 AFLW squad after performing well at WAFLW level for East Perth. She comes from a high-level netball background and possess great athleticism with speed, power and overhead marking ability.

Summer Ajduk (Swan Districts)

The utility played 13 games in 2025, averaging 13 disposals a game and kicking four goals. Ajduk also collected 14 possessions in the WAFLW Grand Final against Claremont, the second highest disposal winner for Swans in the decider.

Lexi Strachan (West Perth)

A powerful midfielder, Strachan was used as a forward and off a wing last year and is a member of the AFLW National Academy. Possessing a penetrating kick, Strachan is a leading contender to be selected as WA’s top draftee alongside close friend and West Perth teammate Cara Dziegielewski.

Ash Gomes (South Fremantle)

Gomes is a former East Fremantle premiership captain and multiple flag-winning flags with 141 games experience. Has played State football and spent time on West Coast’s AFLW list. Gomes will bolster South Fremantle’s list with experience and capability.

Zoe Huggett (West Perth)

Comes to West Perth via South Fremantle and is a dangerous tall forward who is strong overhead a great shot for goal. Huggett was recruited to hit the scoreboard and add potency to West Perth’s forward half and increase the side’s scoring capacity and has already made an impact over the pre-season.

Annabel Johnson (Subiaco)

The 25-year-old 167cm defender was originally drafted to Geelong as pick number 15 in the 2021 AFLW draft. Johnson moved to West Coast ahead of the 2024 season. She has played 20 AFLW matches and has great footy IQ, clean skills and plays with presence. Johnson is an intercepting defender with great character and leadership qualities.

Taylah Edwards (Swan Districts)

A dominant goal-kicking coming off a career-best season for Swan Districts, Edwards’ topped the WAFLW goals last year with 29 majors to win her first Joanne Huggins Leading Goal Kicker Award.

Heidi Ireland (Peel Thunder)

Ireland enhanced her reputation as a rebounding defender last year with Peel Thunder. Although playing just eight games for the season, she averaged 13 disposals a game and is considered a realistic chance to be drafted.

Ellee McEvoy (West Perth)

From Naomh Ciaran in Offaly County, McEvoy is an All-Ireland Champion in the LGFA. A highly skilled, super competitive and fast mid recruited to add grunt and class into the midfield and help keep speed on the ball. She has been part of nine titles in 10 seasons in Ireland and been playing seniors since she was 15. This is her debut Aussie Rules season.

Makaela Tuhakaraina (South Fremantle)

Tuhakaraina played 17 games of AFLW with the Dockers and has returned from a year off due to pregnancy. She has been excelling on the track and looks set for a massive year back at South Fremantle.

Shaya Yarran (Swan Districts)

Yarran has arrived at Swans from South Fremantle, where she won the club’s Rogers Cup fairest-and-best award, and joins her sister Summer. A member of the State 18s program, Yarran will offer a spark for the side in attack. Quick, clean and agile, she is a small forward who loves to hit the scoreboard. Yarran was named among the emergencies for Round 1 but is expected to push for early senior selection.