Joint Skippers For AAMI WA 18s Girls Squad 

West Perth’s Lexi Strachan and Subiaco’s Macy Fair have been named joint captains of the AAMI WA Football State 18s Girls squad ahead of next month’s AFLW National Under-18s Championships.  

The squad includes nine players from West Perth and eight from Peel Thunder.  

Elly Lambkin, State Talent Manager – Female Academies at WA Football, has detailed the priority for the group after a successful 2025 campaign, when the girls came close to winning the title and had a record number of draftees.  

“Every year, the dynamic of the 18s group is different with changes to the squad,” Lambkin said. 

“My hope for this group is to step into the challenge that lay in front of them during the 18s National Championship, to grow, learn and evolve themselves as players with each performance. 

“Success for the team will be measured on each individual choosing to use their grit and determination across all four quarters of each game.” 

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Lambkin also discussed the demographics of the squad. 

“This 18s group has a unique mix of players with 5 players from the 16s program named alongside representatives aged 17,18 and a 19-year-old,” she said. 

“Each player brings their own strengths to the group to make the squad better. 

Some of WA’s top prospects have already built a strong reputation as pathway players.  

“West Perth pair Cara Dziegielewski and Lexi Strachan, Perth’s Mia Carlshausen and Claremont’s India Bonadeo are in good form leading into the National Championships,” she said. 

“The preparation through the WAFLW season has given them all a good platform to launch into the next phase, playing against the other state teams.” 

Among the players to watch is father-daughter prospect Miley Hynes from the Falcons. 

“Miley is the daughter of David Hynes who played at both Fremantle and West Coast,” Lambkin said. 

“Miley is a father-daughter prospect for both WA clubs at the end of next year.” 

Lambkin also is excited about the leadership group which was announced last night at the jumper presentation. 

“Our leadership group has six players, with co-captains Macy Fair and Lexi Strachan popular choices,” she said. 

“Mia Carlshausen, Sienna Lilly, Marley Kelman and Hannah Seaborn complete what is an exceptional group of young leaders. 

Lambkin has praised clubs for their assistance.  

“The support from the clubs in preparing the athletes to take on the other states in the National Championships, has been terrific, “Lambkin said.  

“We appreciate all that the WAFLW cubs 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, Tahlia Head, Maya Walsh, Mia Van Kleef 

Perth: Mia Carlshausen, Mel Grage, Niah Catto  

South Fremantle: Marie Polimeno, Alexis Edgley,   

Subiaco: Macy Fair, Marley Kelman, Caitlin Boss, Beatrice Crane  

Swan Districts: Summer Ajduk, Grace Hirst, Keira Fawcett, Shaya Yarran, Michaela Grau, Penelope Punaivaha 

West Perth: Cara Dziegielewski, Jasmine Giles, Miley Hynes, Rikisha Nannup, Tayah Nicholson, Lexi Strachan, Lunay Van Den Heever, Vienna Matera, Arybella Nelson  

WA’s AFLW National Under-18s Championship fixtures  

Saturday, June 13: WA v South Australia (Mineral Resources Park, 1pm).  

Saturday, June 20: WA v Vic Metro (Perth TBC venue, TBC).  

Friday, July 3: WA v Vic Country (Melbourne, TBC).  

Wednesday, July 8: WA v Allies (Melbourne, TBC).