Leaps and bounds: How draft bolter Tahleah Mulder swapped Piara Waters for AFLW call-up

The South Fremantle product has modelled her game on Dockers captain Hayley Miller. But watching Wembley star and now teammate Megan Kauffman jump from amateurs to the AFLW gave Mulder the ultimate push.

Since 2019, the 21-year-old has been tearing up opposition for Piara Waters. Originally from a soccer and futsal background, Mulder’s turn of speed and physicality turned heads. She even finished in the top three of the Perth Football League A-Grade Fairest and Best in 2022.

It took some convincing, but Mulder finally decided to take a leap of faith and join South Fremantle.

“I never really had belief in myself that I could do it,” Mulder said.

“I had a few people pushing me to take the next step. I finally decided to do it.

“I looked at someone like Megan Kauffman. We played in the city v country (representative) match and she basically got drafted off the back of that so I think that gave me some hope because she’s been able to perform at the level.”

It didn’t take South Fremantle long to realise they’d stumbled on something special. Mulder was singled out by captain Lauren Vecchio as the recruit most likely to have an impact.

“I think she’s got a spark. She goes hard at the ball and doesn’t stop with her second efforts,” Vecchio said on the eve of round one.

A 15-disposal debut gave Mulder confidence she could cut it at the level. Fremantle took notice after a 21-touch best on ground performance in round two. And after 23 disposals in round three, Mulder started thinking that the WAFLW might not be the last stop on her journey.

“(For me) coming into the WAFLW and being able to have an impact straight away. It’s a bit quicker and a bit more physical but I was able to set myself up with a good pre-season,” she said.

“I felt like I fit in instantly and it got me thinking about taking things to the next level. You don’t have to have played years and years at that level. There’s now other pathways you can take.

“I knew I had some potential. The AFLW has been a dream but I thought it was going to take me a few seasons at least to get there.”

Or, just four games. Mulder was interviewed by both Fremantle and Richmond but the Dockers made their interest known.

Mulder spent draft night surrounded by her immediate family, friends and Piara Waters and South Fremantle teammates. She had an inkling of what was to come but she didn’t expect her name to be read out as soon as pick three, Fremantle’s first of the night.

“I had a few mates rock up late and miss it. And a lot of people know me as TJ so when it came up as Tahleah, a few didn’t register it at first,” Mulder said.

Shock was quickly replaced by elation as Mulder was mobbed by those in attendance. Among the flurry of visitors was Fremantle’s Miller, former Piara Waters teammate Sarah Wielstra and Airlie Runnalls.

“I look up to Hayley Miller so much. I model my game off her and we have the same sort of strengths. I’m really excited to work with her,” Mulder said.

“My strengths are my acceleration and being able to burst away from packs but I also love the physical side of the game. I don’t like doing one thing and stopping, I want to keep going and going.”

Mulder has already set her sights on a round-one debut in what shapes as a fitting next step in her rapid rise.

“The next goal is playing and playing consistently. I don’t want to go in and out of the team. I want to be a consistent member of it,” she said.