From The Rec to Punt Road: How Geraldton’s Fina Dethlefsen’s footy journey was shaped by her hometown

On Monday night, one Geraldton household erupted as Fina Dethlefsen’s name was read out at pick 38 in 2025’s AFLW Draft.

Within hours, she was in her parents’ car, making the journey to Perth Airport for an early morning flight which would see her land at Punt Road within 24 hours.

“A lot of regional girls fly under the radar, so I don’t think they were really expecting me to be picked up,” Dethlefsen said.

“My whole family was so stoked. They were screaming and the whole house’s vibes were high. I know they’re very proud of me. To make it to a stage I have been working towards for so long is just epic.”

Dethlefsen, 22, was a late bloomer into footy, playing her first season in 2019. She confesses if it wasn’t for her brother, father and the women’s footy boom hitting Geraldton, she would not have played football.

“I would usually have my nose in a book, or I was doing other sports. Footy was never really my thing,” she said.

But in her first game, a well-timed tackle shifted her so profoundly that it made her want to pursue it professionally.

“It was an epic feeling. It was sick,” she said.

“It’s unlike any sport I’ve played and ticked a lot of boxes for me. It wasn’t until I played for a few years that I was like I want to take this seriously and I want to get drafted.”

Dethlefsen made history in several ways as one of 10 recruits in WA’s most successful AFLW Draft. Closer to home, she’s the second Geraldton-born player and the first Railways women’s player to be drafted. She credits Railways for setting her up for the future.

“The only thing I knew how to do was run, which was useful, but if you can’t kick the ball, it’s useless,” she said.

“They helped build my footy foundations and it wasn’t until the last few years where I was being taught more technical structure and positions that you don’t really cover in the lower leagues.

“They helped create the foundations and then I intrinsically went on from there.”

Some of her fondest memories included spending time with former coach Nathan Johansen’s daughters Jasmine and Geneva at The Rec, running through the midfield, but also eating dinner, playing bingo and hanging out on non-match days. She called them a “tight-knit family”.

“She always showed a hell of a lot of promise, and she’s certainly got her just desserts,” Nathan Johansen said.

“She’s one of those female players that can burst from the contest, take clean possession, take a bounce and deliver it long into the forward line. She was a great asset for us.”

After playing for Railways, Dethlefsen made her way into the WAFLW, playing for Subiaco and more recently Perth. She was also the first player from Perth to be drafted into the AFLW.

The Great Northern Football League has exposed the AFL community to some incredible talent in the men’s game, but Dethlefsen also credits Port Adelaide vice-captain Julia Teakle paving the way for her, along with Harry Taylor and Patrick Cripps.

“Gero is a footy hungry town,” she said.

“There’s something about regional footy that gets people out of their seat. A lot of regional players go under the radar, especially when it comes to scouting, so it’s cool to see some recognition.

Johansen hopes we can see more players from the region in the AFLW in the future.

“Fina and Julia have shown that just because we live in Geraldton, and we’re a fair way away from the city, you’re still able to make it, but it’s a big commitment to get down and do the hard yards,” he said.

“Our girls can do it, they’ve shown they can play good footy in Perth, and Fina’s selection will give everyone a boost, knowing that goal is there and achievable.”