Top WA Talent Invited To Telstra AFLW Draft Combine

Seven West Australians have been given the chance to display their talent at the upcoming 2026 Telstra AFLW Draft Combines.

Perth’s Mia Carlshausen, along with West Perth pair Cara Dziegielewski and Lex Strachan have been invited to the AFLW Draft Combine, while East Perth’s Charli Bassett, Claremont’s India Bonadeo, Tahlee McVee from West Perth and South Fremantle’s Marie Polimeno have been offered a spot at the State Draft Combine event.

Kate Orme, State Talent Coach – Female Pathways, has praised the seven West Australians who have been called up.

“It’s terrific for Cara, Mia and Lexi to be nationally recognised for their 2026 season of football,” Orme said.

“Each of these athletes has impacted both at the National Championships and in their WAFLW seasons.

“It’s fantastic that a further four athletes have been selected for the State Combine in India, Marie, Charli and Tahlee.”

Orme is confident the players will produce strong performances.

“The chance to test themselves against the best draft eligible talent in the country is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their athletic traits and their high-performance characteristics,” she said.

“All seven athletes will be invited to return to the State Academy for tailored preparation.

“They will work closely with our High-Performance Specialist Courtney Babich to prepare for the combine testing.”

Orme believes the pathway program at WA Football will stand the girls in good stead.

“Our State Academy program has built an environment of high safety, paired with high challenges,” Orme said.

“The players have been able to embrace continuous development and the pressures of the game in its different forms.

“The group will be well prepared for the Combine, and we wish them all the best of luck.”

The AFL today confirmed the full list of players invited to the 2026 Telstra AFLW Draft Combines.

The announcement includes the invite lists for both the national and state Draft Combines, with selection based on nominations supplied by every AFLW club.

The 2026 Telstra AFLW Draft Combines will be staged across a two-week period following the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

The national AFLW Draft Combine will be held from Tuesday, September 29 through to Friday, October 2.

Club interviews for the national AFLW Draft Combine will be held at the MCG, ahead of physical testing at the State Netball & Hockey Centre on the final day.

Physical testing will include vertical jumps, 20-metre sprint, an agility test and a time trial.

The distance for the AFLW Draft Combine time trial will this year change to 1.6km to more accurately reflect running patterns in an AFLW match.

The local state Draft Combine for potential AFLW talent will be staged in Perth on October 11, with participants taking part in physical testing.

The national event for the 2026 Telstra AFLW Draft Combine will feature 46 players, while 43 players have been selected at State Combine level.

Additional players may be invited to attend a Draft Combine prior to each event.

Telstra AFLW Draft Combine – September 29 – October 2, Melbourne

Perth: Mia Carlshausen

West Perth: Cara Dziegielewski, Lexi Strachan

WA State Draft Combine – Sunday, October 11, Perth (venue TBC)

Claremont: India Bonadeo

East Perth: Charli Bassett

West Perth: Tahlee M cVee

South Fremantle: Marie Polimeno