Richmond have pounced on West Australian key forward Olivia Wolmarans with the prized No.1 pick in the AFLW draft.
Athletic midfielder Scarlett Johnson had been in the mix for the Tigers’ pick as late as Sunday before Richmond, who are without a coach after sacking Ryan Ferguson following a 16th-placed finish, settled on Wolmarans.
“Unreal. I can’t tell you the feeling I’m feeling right now,” Wolmarans said.
The 18-year-old said she’d gone 10-pin bowling to avoid thinking about the draft on the day, shunning her mother’s suggestion of heading to an art gallery.
Richmond had traded with Gold Coast to ensure first dibs on the best talent ahead of GWS’s picks No.2 and No.3.
The Giants snapped up Johnson before successfully bidding on Sydney academy prospect Kiera Yerbury with the third selection, with the Swans opting not to match the bid.
A power key forward with a booming kick and huge contested mark, 180cm-tall Wolmarans had a background in heptathlon before turning to football.
She kicked six goals in this year’s national championships, including a bag of four against the Allies, and will likely be a foil to veteran Katie Brennan in the Tigers’ attack as she develops.
Top billing: Richmond drafted Olivia Wolmarans (left) from Subiaco with the No.1 selection.Credit: AFL Photos
The Suns traded pick No.1 to help them add as many top selections as possible to match bids on highly-rated academy prospects including Sunny Lappin, Georja Davies, Ava Usher, Dekota Baron and Alannah Welsh.
