State Talent and DraftTrio of WA AFLW prospects feature in historic clash against Carlton VFLW
Jordan McArdle
|
24 Apr 2026
Read
more
The AAMI WA Football State 18s Girls squad has been named ahead of the AFLW National Under-18s Championships which begin in June.
The initial squad includes seven players from West Perth and five from Peel Thunder.
As part of the first intake for the State 18s squad, 28 players will begin training in preparation for the National Championships.
The squad has a representative from every WAFL club, seven First Nations and Multicultural players and two regional players.
A second intake to finalise the squad will happen in early May.
Elly Lambkin, State Talent Manager – Female Academies at WA Football, revealed how the players were chosen.
RELATED ARTICLES
“Selection for the State 18s squad is based off players with the potential to reach higher levels of football, whether that is AFLW or a 150-game WAFLW player, and will assist the team in performing at the National Championships,” Lambkin said.
“My hope for the squad is to use the resources available to them to showcase their football abilities and grow as players through the experience of competing against the best football talent across Australia.”
Lambkin explained that the initial group of players selected were part of the AAMI WA Football Summer Pre-Season 18s Program.
“That program helped build the base off which they have launched their WAFLW seasons,” she said.
“Leading the performances at club level so far this season has been Mia Carlshausen from Perth who has been amongst the best players for her team each week.”
The squad features West Perth’s Cara Dziegielewski, an AFLW Under-18s All-Australian from last year as a bottom-ager.
Dziegielewski, along with West Perth teammate Lexi Strachan and Perth half-back Carlshausen are all part of the AFL Academy squad.
As part of the build-up to the Championships, the squad will play three trial matches against WAFLW clubs with byes over the preparation period, those being Swan Districts, South Fremantle and Perth.
Lambkin has praised clubs for their assistance.
“The support from the WAFL clubs in being part of preparing the athletes to take on the other states in the National Championships, will be invaluable to ensure the squad is ready for game one, “Lambkin said.
“We appreciate all that the WAFLW clubs do to support the athletes and the program.”
AAMI WA Football State 18s Girls Squad
Claremont: India Bonadeo, Lucy Gilbey, Hannah Seaborn
East Fremantle: Cienna Leslie, Sienna Lilly, Olivia McCay, Avuya Nomlatyu
East Perth: Charli Bassett
Peel Thunder: Tiama Collard, Charlotte Fletcher, Tahlia Head, Zaide Wilson, Heidi Ireland
Perth: Mia Carlshausen, Mel Grage
South Fremantle: Marie Polimeno, Alexis Edgley,
Subiaco: Macy Fair, Marley Kelman
Swan Districts: Summer Adjuk, Grace Hirst
West Perth: Cara Dziegielewski, Jasmine Giles, Miley Hynes, Rikisha Nannup, Tayah Nicholson, Lexi Strachan, Lunay Van Den Heever
WA’s AFLW National Under-18s Championship fixtures
Saturday, June 13: WA v South Australia (Mineral Resources Park, 10:30am).
Saturday, June 20: WA v Vic Metro (Cockburn ARC, 11am).
Friday, July 3: WA v Vic Country (Melbourne, TBC).
Wednesday, July 8: WA v Allies (Melbourne, TBC).
"*" indicates required fields
WA Football acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands across Western Australia where we train, play, and come together through football. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people. We recognise the deep and continuing contribution First Nations peoples make to our game and our communities.
"*" indicates required fields
