AMAIA Wain has taken her place amongst the best female Aussie Rules players in the country.
The former Bellingen Bulldogs and Sawtell/Toormina Saints player made her AFLW debut, playing for the Western Bulldogs in their opening round win against the Gold Coast Suns on the Gold Coast.
The 18-year-old had four disposals and four tackles in the Dogs’ wet-weather win against the Suns.
The Urunga resident made her AFLW debut after being selected at pick number four by the Western Bulldogs in this year’s inaugural AFLW pre-season draft.
The young ruck was selected by the Bulldogs after a breakout season playing for the University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division.
This included being named amongst her side’s best players in 12 of her 14 games.
Wain also made her VFLW debut against Sandringham last month, having 13 disposals and two marks.
Before joining the Bulldogs, she had a distinguished playing tenure in the local AFL North Coast competition.
Playing for both the Bellingen Bulldogs and Sawtell/Toormina Saints in 2024, she became the first player to win both the AFL North Coast’s Youth Girls 17s and Senior Women’s Best & Fairest awards in the same year.
She also spent time learning her craft in the Sydney Swans Academy, and showcased her athleticism having made the state finals of the high jump as a junior.
Western Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett praised the young recruit’s athletic talent.
“Her background is in high jumping … she went to the Nationals, what she’s done is not just jump, but her ability to follow up is really crucial for around the grounds,” she said.
“She debuted strongly tonight.”
By Aiden BURGESS
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