A record 10 draftees were picked up from WA last night in the 2025 AFLW draft, giving credit to the work of the WAFLW and state systems.

Speaking to Sports Breakfast this morning, Female Talent Programs and Coaching Specialist Trent Cooper is already looking to the preseason draft in five months time where he hopes more WA girls will get picked up.

“It’s a bit mixed [emotions] because you work with so many… there’s some really great stories too; Alicia Blizard, Ava Stewart, Maya Louvel-Finn. But then you also think of the ones who missed out; Juliet Kelly, Lucy Greenwood, who you think could definitely have really good AFLW careers given the opportunity,” he said.

WA’s first number one draft pick since David Swallow in 2010, Olivia Wolmarans, is set to take the competition by storm, being picked up by Richmond to play alongside captain Katie Brennan.

“She’s gonna bring a lot of life and a lot of energy to the Richmond Football Club and I know they’re very excited to have her… I think she’ll play right from the get go,” he said.

Trent believes Geelong picked up a steal in Evie Cowcher, taken at pick 11, who he thinks can take out next year’s Rising Star.

“She’d be my tip for the rising star next year, she’s someone who’s ready to jump straight in and play really well across the half back and could develop into a midfielder in time.”

Mia Russo was the only WA player taken by a club out west, also happening to be West Perth’s first AFLW draftee.

“I think she’ll be really good foil for Ella Roberts, Mia is a really in-and-under player and I think if they can get her doing that and then dishing the ball to Ella on the outside then I think that’ll be a midfield that will work very well together for a good 10 years,” said Cooper.

The Saints picked up an ‘absolute bargain’ in Carys D’addario, slipping down to pick 60 potentially due to injury concerns in her past.

“If I had to say who the two biggest bargains were it’d be Cowcher and D’addario.”

“Once you get that opportunity it doesn’t matter where you’re drafted because you all start at preseason level and I’m sure she’ll put her best foot forward.”

He said the success at last night’s draft is a huge credit to the success of the WAFLW and state development programs, which has been running a complete preseason for the last couple of years to let the girls compete against the best competition.

“Obviously I’ve come out of the Freo program so I knew what it took for players to get to that AFLW level,” he said.

“The WAFLW clubs have to take a lot of credit as well, their standards have improved greatly and the standard of football has improved.”

Trent is set to jump on a plane back home later today to make it in time to training for tonight, ensuring next year’s WA draft pool is just as strong as this year’s.

IMAGE: Geelong Cats Women’s Facebook Page