Record number of WA talents in AFLW U18 All-Australian teamThursday, August 14, 2025 - 8:00 AM - by Jordan McArdle

Western Australia has produced a record number of AFLW Under-18s All-Australians this year after coming agonisingly close to winning the national championships.

WA had a whopping five All-Australian representatives including two from West Perth – State 18s co-captain Mia Russo and bottom-aged ruck Cara Dziegielewski.

WA under-18s MVP and Swan Districts midfielder Carys D'Addario was named on the interchange bench, AFL Academy talent and Subiaco forward Olivia Wolmarans at centre-half forward and East Fremantle defender Maya Louvel-Finn in a back pocket.

State 18s coach Beau McDonald was rapt to see the highest number of All-Australians for WA since the carnival’s inception in 2017.

McDonald said despite the historic number, he felt there were several others unlucky to miss out.

“I’m really proud, I think it’s just a reflection on the whole group and lots of hard work has gone into it for those girls,” McDonald said.

“There’s probably a couple of unlucky ones to miss out but there’s so much talent across the country so to get five in there, we’re really proud of the girls.

“Maya is just a competitive person who’s always asking a lot of questions trying to improve her game and is a reliable defender.

“Olivia is an athletic, agile key forward who took some excellent marks and finished the carnival strongly. She’s worked hard on her contested marking which showed.

“Cara has got some terrific attributes and as an under-ager in the ruck space, I think it’s a great reward for her effort and she’s only going to get better.

“Carys is the one I’m probably most proud of after doing so much to get her body right following a major hip injury last season.

“She couldn’t play in the 18s last year and footy wasn’t working for her for a while, so she’s shown so much resilience and character to stick at it and achieve her goal of playing well at the carnival.

“Mia had a fantastic carnival and she’s such a great leader which is a big reason why she was named as a co-captain of our team.

“Her ability to get her head over the ball and win it is her strength and she displayed that on multiple occasions and it’s a terrific reward for effort.”

WA’s U18 AFL All-Australians

Maya Louvel-Finn, East Fremantle (back pocket)

Olivia Wolmarans, Subiaco (centre half forward)

Cara Dziegielewski, West Perth (ruck)

Carys D'Addario, Swan Districts (interchange)

Mia Russo, West Perth (interchange)