LAUREN WAKFER - CHASING AFL SUCCESS

The 2022 season sure has been a fruitful one, to say the least for Lauren Wakfer. 

Her standout season in her second year at South Fremantle led her to be selection for Western Australia, where she flourished earning herself a spot on the All-Australian team as well as a spot in the AFLW Under 18 National Academy. Her high-flying vertical leap and strong marking ability turned the heads of selectors and earned her football recognition and praise nationwide.

Her love of footy started when she used to watch her little brother play Auskick. “My sister and I would tag along and watch. During the quarter-time and half-time breaks, we would run out onto the field and kick with each other. Someone mentioned that we should play one day and that’s exactly what happened!”, said Lauren. 

In 2018, Lauren filled in for the Safety Bay Stingers when they were short on players, sparking her love for footy. Lauren soon found herself as a train-on in the Peel development side. The next year Lauren moved to the Warnbro Swans, where yet again she was offered a spot as a train-on in the Peel development squad. 

When the 2020 season came along, Lauren decided not to play footy, instead becoming a runner for the Warnbro Swans. Then, in 2021, Lauren received a call from South Fremantle asking if she was interested in playing, which she jumped at. 

2021 proved to be a breakout season for Lauren as she was selected in the State Under 19’s side for the first time, traveling to represent her State in Adelaide and Melbourne. 

Fast forward to season 2022, with Lauren selected for Western Australia, making the All-Australian team and the AFLW Under 18’s National Academy. These accolades as well as a stellar season have rightly earned her a spot in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft. 

We asked Lauren a few questions leading up to the draft - 

Who do you love playing with in the WAFLW?

• “I love playing alongside Lauren Vecchio! She’s such an amazing captain and she’s the most genuine person and we just click when we play together!”

What is your preparation like leading up to the draft?

• “My preparation as of right now is that I’m doing some extra training sessions up at the WAFC with Rose Huxtable in readiness for the draft combine!”

What would you say are some of your strengths in footy?

• “I believe that my strengths on the field include a pretty decent vertical leap! Considering as I’m the ruck I get to jump a lot and use that to the best of my capabilities! I also think I have a pretty strong set of hands. I can mark the ball pretty well and then hopefully deliver it off efficiently!

We wish Lauren all the best in the lead-up to the draft and look forward to what the future has in store. We know it will certainly be bright. 

All the best Lauren and congratulations!

- Luke Lawson
SFFC Comms Intern