Richmond has selected Subiaco key forward Olivia Wolmarans with the first selection overall of the 2025 Telstra AFLW National Draft.
Wolmarans is an athletic 181cm forward who attacks the ball in the air and shows great agility at ground level.
The 18-year-old has booted 38 goals from 29 matches at senior WAFLW level across the past three seasons and was a star for Western Australia at this year’s U/18 National Championships to earn her third consecutive All Australian honour.
Wolmarans averaged 12.5 disposals, 4.2 marks, and 1.5 goals per game across the Championships, including a match-winning four-goal haul against the Allies.
A member of the Marsh AFL National Academy, Wolmarans came on the scene as a dominant force as a ruck/forward in the U/16s National Championships, earning U/16 All Australian in 2023.
She then began the 2024 season by showing her ability to already dominate at senior state league level as a 16-year-old, with 17 disposals and six goals against East Perth in Round 1.
Over the past two years, Wolmarans has averaged 14 disposals, 3.4 marks, and three tackles in the WAFLW.
Richmond AFLW List and Recruiting Manager, Trent Mosbey, said the Club was excited to bring Wolmarans to the Club.
“Olivia has great size, athleticism, and a real presence about her,” he said.
“She can do some really amazing things on the field, such is her talent, and consistently takes marks inside 50 and kicks goals.
“Key forwards can be hard to find, but we think in Olivia, we have secured a super promising player to bring into our program.
“She is a great character, has high energy, and is looking forward to moving across to Melbourne to play for Richmond.
“We are thrilled to have her.”
Wolmarans was presented her Richmond jumper on stage at Marvel Stadium by current Richmond defender Gabby Seymour.
The exciting youngster will immediately have two other former All Australian key forwards in Katie Brennan and Caitlin Greiser at the Club to aid her development this season.
Wolmarans comes from a strong pedigree with her mother Corlie a former international netballer for the South Africa Proteas.
