Wolmarans keen to re-pay Tigers’ faith, proud of WA teammates

WA’s first ever top AFLW Draft pick Olivia Wolmarans is keen to re-pay the faith of Richmond as she eyes an instant impact in the big league.

The Tigers swooped on the Subiaco key forward with the opening pick of the draft at Marvel Stadium on Monday night after being linked to a couple of east coast players.

Wolmarans, who has already impressed at senior level for Subiaco’s WAFLW side with 17 majors in 11 appearances this year, hopes to help bring success back to Richmond.

“I think I have that energy for Tigers to bring them up, and hopefully we can win a flag,” Wolmarans said after becoming WA’s first No.1 draft pick at any level since David Swallow in 2010.

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“It means a lot to me that they did that (traded up), but just having conversations with them, they already backed me in, I could see they could believe in me already as a player.

“So I’m now going to give it back to them and show them how much I can improve their team and bring them to the top again.”

 

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Wolmarans had plenty of sports to choose from growing up, with her mother a former international netballer for South Africa and her dad a rugby coach.

But after getting convinced to play footy for her brother’s junior team, Mt Hawthorn Cardinals, AFLW was the goal.

“I’ve always known since I was little that I wanted to play AFLW,” Wolmarans said.

“Seeing the girls on the TV, I just wanted to be just like them.

“And here I am standing here, pick one, it’s amazing, and it’s probably my best achievement yet.”

Wolmarans was delighted to see fellow West Aussies – Peel Thunder’s Evie Cowcher (Pick 11 to Geelong) and West Perth’s Mia Russo (Pick to 20 West Coast) – also go in the first round amid a record-breaking WA haul of 10.

“I’m just so proud of the WA girls, going from being 14, going through the whole journey with them, it’s just amazing to see that we’re here now,” she said.

“Ever since we were little, we’ve been proud of each other, we’ve never been jealous of each other and I just think seeing each other at the top level of AFL is amazing.”