NZ Kahu player Axel Oswald has earned her spot on the Geelong VFLW list for the 2026 season. Since beginning her journey playing AFL back in 2023, Axel quickly found her passion for the sport and also found a natural talent in the game.
Playing for the North Shore Tigers in 2023, Axel was one of the standout performers for the club week in and week out, with that form continuing all the way through to the 2024 AFLNZ Premiership, where she won the Western Ravens Best and Fairest and was also named the Premiership Best and Fairest.
Following the end of the 2024 AFLNZ Premiership Axel moved to the Sunshine Coast to play for the Maroochydore Roos, where she continued to grow and hone her skills, earning her spot into the QAFLW squad of the year. She also capped off the year being selected to play for the first ever NZ Kahu Senior Women’s team for the 2024 Pacific Cup, where she was once again a stand out performer in each and every game, also earning her into the All Pacific team.
After another strong year at the Maroochydore Roos in 2025, Axel took another step forward in her AFL career, moving to Melbourne to attend Geelong’s VFLW preseason, where her hard work and determination saw her earn a contract into the VFLW squad for the 2026 season, making her debut in round 1 over the weekend where she was on the starting line-up.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of some fantastic clubs throughout my short journey in the sport so far.
“I’m loving the competitive level of VFLW and am learning a lot more about the craft of the game. I am also looking forward to eventually coming back home to NZ and growing the game there”
Unfortunately the Cats lost their season opener to Williamstown, but with 9 debutants in the side, it is only a matter of time before they find their feet in the competition.
At 28 Axel still has plenty of time to make her mark at VFLW level showcasing the true potential for the Women’s game, and the local talent on offer in New Zealand.
