AFLW Draft Shock: Richmond Selects Olivia Wolmarans with Pick 1 Amid Top 10 Frenzy

In a dramatic twist during the 2025 AFL Women's (AFLW) Draft, the Richmond Tigers delivered a last-minute curveball by selecting tall forward Olivia Wolmarans with the No. 1 overall pick, setting the scene for a night of intense bidding action across the top 10 selections.

The draft one of the most unpredictable in recent memory saw an early frenzy of bids, trades and strategic positioning as clubs looked to secure key talent to bolster their squads ahead of the 2026 season. Richmond's surprise decision to use Pick 1 on Wolmarans caught several rival clubs off-guard and immediately sparked debate among fans and commentators about the Tigers' long-term rebuilding strategy.

More than 50 players are expected to be selected as the AFLW draft unfolds live, with attention not just on the first round but on how clubs will manage their selections deeper into the top 20. Bids were flying early and often as teams jockeyed to secure their preferred prospects, driving a dynamic and tense draft environment.

Draft analysts had been preparing mock selections in the lead-up to the event, with many anticipating aggressive moves from several clubs keen on elevating their lists. However, few predicted the Tigers' bold gamble at the very top a move that has instantly become one of the defining moments of the night.

While the full list of picks continues to unfold, the excitement around the top 10 demonstrates the depth of talent available in this year's draft pool. Clubs are leveraging the AFLW's bidding system to challenge each other for coveted prospects, and early trends suggest that this draft could have long-lasting effects on the competition's balance of power.

Richmond's Pick 1 selection was made possible after the club secured the top draft spot through previous trades and results from the 2025 AFLW season, where they finished in a position that granted priority access to the earliest selection. With Wolmarans widely regarded as a high-upside forward prospect, the Tigers' decision to go with her first has ignited conversation about how they intend to structure their future attacking options.

As the night progresses, supporters from across the league are tuned in to every bid and call, with social media buzzing and experts breaking down each move in real time. The intensity of the draft highlighted by unexpected selections and bidding wars underlines how competitive list building has become in the AFLW era.

Fans can expect more surprises as the live draft coverage continues, with clubs looking to navigate the complex bidding and points-based system to secure the next generation of AFLW stars.