Wardlaw was born in Ashburton, New Zealand to an Aucklander mother and Christchurch father. Both her mother's parents and father's parents are Māori. She migrated to Australia with her family at the age of 4. A talented netballer, Wardlaw was chosen in the Queensland Under 17 and Under 19 state representative sides. Her first introduction to Australian rules was through her friends, who encouraged her to be part of the
AFL 9s social non-contact team in the Yeronga competition and the umpire of one of these games
Tayla Harris seeing significant potential in her to be successful recommended she play at club level. She started with Coorparoo junior women's before being part of the Brisbane South Under 17 representative team and the Queensland Under 18 side. During this time, Wardlaw was approached by the Brisbane Lions who signed her to their Academy program. She was playing for
Coorparoo in the
AFL Queensland Women's League when she was drafted by with the 61st pick in the
2018 AFL Women's draft. ==AFLW career==