D’Addario gets chance to live dream with Saints

Carys D’Addario has been earmarked as a future AFLW star for a long time as she’s grown at Swan Districts impressively and now living out her dream is going to begin with St Kilda in 2026.

D’Addario is still only 18 years of age and the prolific ball winning midfielder has clearly had an AFLW future over the last few years with the way she’s developed by becoming such an outstanding on-baller with Swan Districts.

D’Addario was taken at pick No. 61 by St Kilda back in the AFLW Draft and now will get to start realising her dreams in 2026.

For a number of years now all D’Addario has heard about is that she is a future AFLW player going back to when she was the Rogers Cup leading goalkicker in 2022 and then with her first taste of WAFLW football early in the 2023 season.

She would go on to star throughout 2024 on the way to winning the McSherry Medal as the fairest and best with Swan Districts, and then was terrific in 2025 again when available and representing Western Australia.

While she has heard that talk for a long time, nothing was ever guaranteed until she was actually selected in the AFLW Draft and all those dreams came true thanks to St Kilda.

“It was pretty surreal, to be honest,” D’Addario said.

“People say it, but until your name’s actually called out it doesn’t really sink in. There was a mix of relief, excitement and a bit of disbelief.

“I’ve not really felt anything like it before but it was a really special moment and something I’ll remember forever.”

Going into the AFLW Draft and D’Addario still wasn’t even sure if she would end up being selected or indeed which club would be taking her.

She had received no guarantees from any team and while she had spoken with St Kilda, they really gave no indications of their plans, but she couldn’t be happier to now have landed with the Saints.

“I had really no idea what club I would be going to if I got drafted,” D’Addario said.

“I’d spoken to a few clubs including St Kilda but none of them gave me any guarantees.

“I tried not to overthink about it and it was extremely nerve racking not knowing, but now that I’m at the Saints I couldn’t be happier. I’m absolutely stoked to be part of the club.”

When D’Addario now thinks about what her 2026 will look like, she can’t wait to get over to Melbourne ahead of when pre-season training will begin and to get used to life with the Saints and in an AFLW environment.

“Yeah, it’s really exciting,” she said.

“Being able to train in a professional environment and prepare properly for a season is something I’ve dreamed about. I can’t wait to learn from the coaches and players and just get to work.”

What getting drafted to St Kilda means for D’Addario is a massive change in her life as she prepares to make the move to Melbourne as well.

After graduating from Guildford Grammar last year, D’Addario was able to focus more on her football than ever before in 2025 and now is ready to make the move to Melbourne with the full support of her family.

“It’s definitely a big change, but one I’m really looking forward to. I’m excited for the challenge and the chance to focus fully on footy,” D’Addario said.

“I’ve also been to Melbourne a fare few times and I really like the city and the different lifestyle over there. My family have been incredibly supportive and they were over the moon when I got drafted to the Saints.

“Even though it’ll be tough at times being away from home I know they are only a phone call away and there’s heaps of support I can go to at the club if I need it.”

Looking back on her time at Swan Districts where D’Addario while still a teenager has been able to blossom in the midfield at WAFLW level to become an elite on-baller already, she couldn’t be more thankful to everything the club has done to help her achieve her AFLW dream now.

“It’s helped me massively. Playing in the midfield at Swans gave me confidence and allowed me to develop my game both physically and mentally,” D’Addario said.

“I learned a lot about consistency, work rate and leadership, and I think that’s put me in a good position to step into the AFLW environment.

“I’ve built some really strong relationships at Swans which has allowed me to do this. Swans is like a second home for me and I’m very grateful for that.”