Record smashed as 10 West Aussies picked in AFLW Draft

WA Football is delighted to reveal the record-breaking number of West Aussies picked up in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, with 10 players realising their footy dreams.

Subiaco key forward Olivia Wolmarans was the first WA talent to hear her name read out, making history as WA’s first ever No.1 AFLW Draft pick and the first at any level since East Fremantle product David Swallow was picked by Gold Coast back in 2010.

Wolmarans joined Richmond with pick one after an impressive campaign for WA’s under-18s and Subiaco’s WAFLW side.

Peel Thunder midfielder/defender Evie Cowcher, who was also invited to attend the draft in Melbourne, was next to go with Geelong swooping with pick 11.

West Perth ball magnet Mia Russo was also snapped up in the opening round, joining West Coast with pick 20.

Subiaco’s Olivia Crane landed at Port Adelaide with Pick 30, then there were three three players taken in the space of six picks with Perth bolter Fina Dethlefsen (Pick 38 to Richmond), East Fremantle’s Alicia Blizard (Pick 39 to Adelaide) and South Fremantle’s Renee Morgan (Pick 43 to Geelong) all getting picked up.

Three WA talents went in quick succession late in the draft with Shark Maya Louvel-Finn (Pick 58 to St Kilda) and Swan Districts pair Carys D’Addario (Pick 59 to St Kilda) and Ava Stewart (Pick 60 to Adelaide) making it a double-digit haul for the State.

WA Football’s Manager of Female Talent, Trent Cooper, was rapt with the record number of players drafted out of WA.

“We’re delighted to see so many West Aussies realise their AFLW dreams in the draft this evening,” Cooper said.

“To see Olivia and Evie go in the top dozen picks and have Mia also snapped up in the opening round is a fantastic result and a credit to their hard work and determination.

“It’s been an excellent year for our State 18s Girls who went within a goal of winning the AFLW National Under-18s Championship and our double-digit number of draftees from WA reflects that.

“For those who missed out, it’s certainly not the end of the road and there will be plenty more opportunities to find their way onto an AFLW list, starting with the inaugural Pre-Season Draft in April.”

WA draftees – 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft

Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco) – Pick 1 to Richmond

Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder) – Pick 11 to Geelong

Mia Russo (West Perth) – Pick 20 to West Coast

Olivia Crane (Subiaco) – Pick 30 to Port Adelaide

Fina Dethlefsen (Perth) – Pick 38 to Richmond

Alicia Blizard (East Fremantle) – Pick 39 to Adelaide

Renee Morgan (South Fremantle) – Pick 43 to Geelong

Maya Louvel-Finn (East Fremantle) – Pick 60 to St Kilda

Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts) – Pick 61 to St Kilda

Ava Stewart (Swan Districts) – Pick 63 to Adelaide