AFLW 2023 DEBUTANTS

What a year for our WAFLW Program- making finals in both WAFLW and Rogers Cup. In this program, we love seeing the player’s development and flourishment in external teams. We have had several players get selected for State teams as well as drafted to AFLW!

This year alone- only a few rounds into the AFLW season, we have had 5 debutants! This is a great testament to the program we deliver here at South Fremantle Football Club.

We also had Mim Strom and Makaela Tuhakaraina who both play for the Fremantle Dockers. Mim was drafted in 2019 followed by Makaela in 2021. Both of which have since made their debuts.

Lauren Wakfer – West Coast Eagles – Lauren joined the Bulldogs in 2022 where she became one of our key rucks. She was a representative in the 2021 and 2022 AFLW U18 Championships. She was Pick number 15 and went to the West Coast Eagles. Unfortunately, she spent her debut year ruled out with an ACL injury. After dedication and recovery, she was back in it for Season Eight of the AFLW. Lauren then had dreams come to life when she debuted against rivals, Fremantle Dockers in Round 1.

Ariana Hetherington – Fremantle Dockers – Hetherington came to the Bulldogs in 2023 from Peel Thunder with only minimal experience in football. However, she had previously been a talented Basketball player. Ari made the decision to live out her dreams for AFLW and it certainly paid off. Hetherington went on to have an outstanding season for the Bulldogs and deservingly won the Allomes Medal (Best and Fairest). She was a train-on for Fremantle in the pre-season before being drafted after a player was ruled out with injury. Only weeks later, Freo Dockers announced she would debut against West Coast Eagles on familiar territory at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Zoe Wakfer – West Coast Eagles – Fresh to footy only a few years prior, Zoe got the eyes of the recruiters in her first-ever WAFLW season. She only played 2 Rogers Cup games before her WAFLW debut where she had 12 disposals! Her draft came as a shock to many (including herself) when she was there to support her sister Lauren. Wakfer was drafted at Pick number 36 also by the West Coast Eagles, joining her sister. Zoe debuted against Carlton in Round 3. Her coaches say her ‘development has been enormous and appealing’.

Charli Wicksteed – Richmond Tigers – Charli Wicksteed began her footy journey in 2020 at South Bunbury. She then became a premiership player in 2021 for her local club. 2022 saw Wicksteed being named an All-Star in the Rio Tinto WA Country Champs. She was also amongst the best players in the Grand Final win. In 2023 she joined South Fremantle Football Club where she averaged 14.6 disposals per game. South Freo has a strong relationship with the Tigers. Shai Bolton, Marlion Pickett, Matthew Parker, and Steely Green had all been drafted in prior years. Mid-2023 saw Charli get drafted and make the move to Richmond. Wicksteed then debuted in Round 3 vs. GWS after well and truly earning her spot.

Tahleah Mulder – Fremantle Dockers – Tahleah Mulder began footy with a strong background in Futsal. She played at Piara Waters (B Grade) where she took out the competitions Best and Fairest. She was selected to play for Souths in 2023 and had a huge pre-season. In April 2023 she was drafted. In Round 7 of the 2023 AFLW season, Mulder will make her debut.

This now means each and every one of our players who has been drafted has debuted!

The WAFLW program continues to develop by the second and we love seeing the results. A huge congratulations to all our AFLW debutants. We are so proud.