Olivia Wolmarans Approaches No.1 AFLW Draft Selection with Calm Confidence
As the first West Australian ever selected with the top pick in an AFLW draft, Richmond power forward Olivia Wolmarans acknowledges that pressure is an inherent part of the package. The 18-year-old footballer, chosen by the Tigers in mid-December 2025, understands there will be heightened expectations from both the club and its supporters, yet she maintains an remarkably composed perspective on her new status.
A Different Mindset for a Unique Talent
Unlike many young athletes entering professional competition, Wolmarans doesn't feel burdened by the weight of expectation that typically accompanies a number one selection. "I know with Harley Reid and everything that goes with being pick ones, how much pressure they had, but I don't really feel it," she revealed. The media attention surrounding the draft process actually made her more nervous than the selection itself.
Wolmarans attributes her calm approach to her unconventional perspective as an emerging AFLW talent. Rather than attempting to emulate established competition stars, she focuses on developing her own distinctive style while incorporating elements from other players' games. "I look at players and I see what they can do and I try to put that in my game, but I also do it my way, my version," she explained. This philosophy of playing her own football rather than someone else's has been central to her development.
Defining Her Football Identity
Described as a "see-ball, get-ball" footballer, Wolmarans brings impressive athleticism to her 181cm frame as a centre half forward. Her ability to crash packs combined with speed and agility at ground level makes her a formidable presence on the field. The young athlete identifies improving her "second, third, fourth efforts" as a key development area, demonstrating her commitment to continuous improvement even after achieving draft success.
Richmond executed a strategic trade with Gold Coast specifically to secure the number one selection and Wolmarans' signature following a disappointing season that saw them finish 16th and part ways with coach Ryan Ferguson. Her powerful kicking ability, capable of covering 45 meters, made her a highly sought-after prospect with multiple clubs, including West Coast who had nurtured her through their Next Generation Academy, vying for her services.
Embracing the Melbourne Football World
Despite having worked with respected West Coast AFLW coach Daisy Pearce, whom she praises for understanding "the person and the player," Wolmarans expresses genuine excitement about her cross-country relocation. "I've always wanted to move over to Melbourne since I was little," she shared, viewing the transition as an exciting opportunity rather than a source of anxiety, though she acknowledges she'll miss her family.
Her manager Andrew McDougall of Corporate Sports Australia confirmed Richmond's strong interest during the draft buildup. Once Wolmarans learned of the Tigers' intentions, her focus narrowed exclusively to the Melbourne club. "Once I got a little bit interest from Richmond, in my mind it was Richmond, Richmond. I wanted to move," she recalled.
A Rich Sporting Heritage
Wolmarans comes from an accomplished sporting family that has undoubtedly influenced her athletic development. Her mother Corlie represented South Africa in netball at the World Cup and played professionally in New Zealand, while her father Cornel is a triathlete and former rugby coach. Her brother Dylan participates in amateur football, completing a family deeply immersed in competitive sports.
The young athlete's formative years saw her dividing time between football, athletics where she represented her state as a heptathlete, and basketball as a number 4 with Perry Lakes alongside future Eagle Rosie Deegan. Her Australian Rules journey began in 2016 at Mount Hawthorn Cardinals, where she crossed paths with future Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper, whose autograph she obtained and career she followed.
Rapid Development and Future Aspirations
After transitioning from boys' football to the emerging girls' pathway, Wolmarans filtered into WAFLW club Subiaco, where she kicked 15 goals in 11 games during her first Rogers Cup season before making her league debut with the Lions in 2023. Her exceptional talent earned her a place in the WA squad, where she excelled as a double bottom ager at both Under 16s and Under 18s levels.
A standout MVP performance at GMHBA Stadium during the U17 National Futures competition secured her position in the prestigious AFLW Academy. Having completed Year 12 at Aranmore College last year, Wolmarans plans to study criminology in Victoria with aspirations of eventually joining the police force.
As she prepares to move to Melbourne ahead of the AFLW pre-season, Wolmarans is learning the words to Richmond's famous theme song while expressing confidence in the team's potential. "I reckon they've got a good list. Some of the names pop out at you," she observed. "I reckon they can go far. They just needed some key players and hopefully I'm one of those key players."
