AFLW Olivia Wolmarans - Welcome to Richmond

[RedmanWasHere]

Possibly the first Subi pick No. 1 since [PLAYERCARD]Des Headland[/PLAYERCARD].

WOW OW!

 

[toenail63]

 

[toenail63]

 

[toenail63]

 

[Profop]

Wow she towers over Gabby

 

[Yze does it]

Wow she towers over Gabby

180?

 

[Cdog71]

180?

Some reports
181

Pretty unique attitude and confidence

 

[Cdog71]

Just listened to her on ABC radio.
They mentioned her confidence and she said “ it’s a one of my strengths to be able to lift a team”

They asked if she would miss home “ it’s what my mum did when she played in the World Cup for South Africa, I’m really looking forward to it”
“ I think any team can win the premiership if they’re positive and believe in each other”

Pretty impressive for someone who was 16 years old last year.

 

[Yze does it]

are we happy with the INS and OUTS ?

I don't watch junior footy.

 

[year of the tiger]

Before the draft was underwhelmed thinking she looked a bit ponderous and her kicking style awkward. After the pick looked at more videos and appreciated her strengths: attack on the ball in the air and marking which is said to have improved this year, willingness to compete when the ball spills out, the amount of ground she covers, hand balling LONG to players in the clear and the length of her kicks. Given the other 2 highlights didn't scream special, and our other picks plus the 2nd Irish acquisition all helping the midfield and our need for a forward who can mark, move and contest, I see it as an inspired pick where the easy choice would have been Bown.

 

[toenail63]

I see it as an inspired pick where the easy choice would have been Bown.

Agree Bown was safer pick and like Olivia couldn't have done anything more to place themselves up there to go No.1. I still think that Bown and Usher are more likely to be the best player from this year as were the two who stood out from others. It would have been a hard decision to make to pick Olivia over Bown and one we may regret, but there are midfielders coming through at the top end of drafts every year as good as Bown so if we need one by obtaining a pick there, is easier now with future trading, or get in a player like a Hatchard through a trade we can get another crack at a A grade midfielder. Not easy but more likely than getting in a player like Olivia who come around way less often.

 

[toenail63]

are we happy with the INS and OUTS ?

I don't watch junior footy.

Happy to have a player like Olivia up forward and taking the oppo's best defender, she is the missing piece we need to take the next step up forward. I think it's shaping as possibly the best group of ins that we've seen in any intake, the No. 1 helps, and be upgrades on our delistings, trade wise Grace Egan didn't suit a team transitioning like we are in style, and if a like for like swap as was with Dana East, I think Dana East does bring what we need.

 

[toenail63]

Draft Profiles Video - Olivia Wolmarans

Draftee watch: From heptathlon to the top of the Draft pool

Key forward Olivia Wolmarans has leapt into the top of Telstra AFLW Draft calculations after switching her attention from the heptathlon to football

www.afl.com.au

 

[Bojangles17]

Before the draft was underwhelmed thinking she looked a bit ponderous and her kicking style awkward. After the pick looked at more videos and appreciated her strengths: attack on the ball in the air and marking which is said to have improved this year, willingness to compete when the ball spills out, the amount of ground she covers, hand balling LONG to players in the clear and the length of her kicks. Given the other 2 highlights didn't scream special, and our other picks plus the 2nd Irish acquisition all helping the midfield and our need for a forward who can mark, move and contest, I see it as an inspired pick where the easy choice would have been Bown.

She marks the ball like Jesse hogan, am I impressed , hell yeaaaaaaaaa

 

[TigermanM2]

She has 8 months to R1.

If she uses the time wisely (and I have no doubt she will) with all the elite support around her and a stack of gym sessions I reckon she'll make a real impact from the get go.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Walked past her near Flinders Street station on my way home from work this Arvo. She's a tall girl.

 

[TigermanM2]

 

[TigermanM2]

Million dollar question - does she get #1 straight away.

 

[Phar Ace]

Don't be seen with / be seen with a Legend

 

[toenail63]

 

[Cdog71]

Bit of a blurb on the afl site about each club’s main priority for next season.I would’ve thought a 181 cm #1 draft pick mighta got a mention.


Solve the Courtney Wakefield problem

Since All-Australian key forward Courtney Wakefield retired at the end of 2022, Richmond has struggled to organise its forward line around a big, strong aerial target. Former captain Katie Brennan was handy in attack in the proceeding two seasons, kicking 14 and 13 goals respectively, while Caitlin Greiser reached a high point in 2024 with 13 goals of her own, but cohesion and consistency is still lacking.

"I've been banging my head against the wall about this for a number of years," Black said.


Mackenzie Ford and Ellie McKenzie (right) celebrates a goal during round six, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
The addition of Paige Scott in 2025 was meant to help matters, but the need to bring them high up the ground to support other areas still left the forward line lacking, and small pressure forward Emelia Yassir had a down year based on her standards.

Richmond's best performances came when dynamic midfielder Ellie McKenzie got dangerous ahead of the ball, thanks to her neat skill and impressive ability overhead. It was thanks to three goals from McKenzie that the side broke through for its first win of the season against Adelaide in round eight, and if the magnets can move to release her into the forward line more consistently, McKenzie could be the player to solve the Courtney Wakefield problem.


With hindsight it has looked a little like the Coach and recruitment team had tried to replicate what had given some positive outcomes.
Bring in Grieser for Wakefield or let’s try and play Bacon in the Sheerin role rather than trying to build a different gamestyle.
It’s not that hard to see Ellie playing a Kate Hore sortve role.
That’d be pretty awesome to see.

Looking forward to seeing some new faces and ideas next season and who is going to take the game on from the def 50.

 

[Profop]

Bit of a blurb on the afl site about each club’s main priority for next season.I would’ve thought a 181 cm #1 draft pick mighta got a mention.


Solve the Courtney Wakefield problem

Since All-Australian key forward Courtney Wakefield retired at the end of 2022, Richmond has struggled to organise its forward line around a big, strong aerial target. Former captain Katie Brennan was handy in attack in the proceeding two seasons, kicking 14 and 13 goals respectively, while Caitlin Greiser reached a high point in 2024 with 13 goals of her own, but cohesion and consistency is still lacking.

"I've been banging my head against the wall about this for a number of years," Black said.


Mackenzie Ford and Ellie McKenzie (right) celebrates a goal during round six, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
The addition of Paige Scott in 2025 was meant to help matters, but the need to bring them high up the ground to support other areas still left the forward line lacking, and small pressure forward Emelia Yassir had a down year based on her standards.

Richmond's best performances came when dynamic midfielder Ellie McKenzie got dangerous ahead of the ball, thanks to her neat skill and impressive ability overhead. It was thanks to three goals from McKenzie that the side broke through for its first win of the season against Adelaide in round eight, and if the magnets can move to release her into the forward line more consistently, McKenzie could be the player to solve the Courtney Wakefield problem.


With hindsight it has looked a little like the Coach and recruitment team had tried to replicate what had given some positive outcomes.
Bring in Grieser for Wakefield or let’s try and play Bacon in the Sheerin role rather than trying to build a different gamestyle.
It’s not that hard to see Ellie playing a Kate Hore sortve role.
That’d be pretty awesome to see.

Looking forward to seeing some new faces and ideas next season and who is going to take the game on from the def 50.

Think this is recycled content from pre the draft to be honest

 

[Cdog71]

Think this is recycled content from pre the draft to be honest

Your probably right