2024 AFLW Draft Guide by Rookie Me Central

2023 ROOKIE ME CENTRAL AFLW DRAFT GUIDE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Rookie Me Central team would like to thank all those involved with compiling this 2024 AFLW Draft Guide ahead of the 2024 National AFLW Draft. The work is a culmination of writers who have spent many hours this season watching in person, on live streams or replays in order to bring you the most comprehensive coverage available.

For the ﬁrst time in 2024, every AFLW National Draft Combine invitee has their own player highlights accessible both via this guide, and on our YouTube page. In addition to that, each of the player proﬁles provides the same in-depth information to that of the AFL Draft Guide including ratings across a multitude of areas and graphs depicting the player’s strengths and improvements.

In addition to the Draft Proﬁles, there is a stack of other content to enjoy, both recapping the year and looking ahead to 2025, while giving the most comprehensive insight into the 2024 AFLW Draft crop.

Lastly, a big thank-you to all the organisations who have assisted Rookie Me Central and its team throughout the year, including representatives from the SANFL, WAFL, QAFL, AFL NSW/ACT and AFL Victoria. All statistics used in this Draft Guide have been courtesy of the various competition websites, using respected data analyst, Champion Data.

TOP 30 PLAYERS TO WATCH

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE INVITEES

STATE COMBINE INVITEES

OTHERS TO KEEP IN MIND

2024 RMC POWER RANKINGS

MARQUEE MATCHUP: O’HEHIR VS PAINTER

QUEENSLAND’S “DRAFT DEPTH ANALYSIS”

THE RACE FOR PICK 1: 2024 AFLW DRAFT

AFLW DRAFT BOLTERS

AFLW DRAFT BID MATCHING EXPLAINER

AFLW U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS

AFLW U18 MVPS + ALL AUSTRALIAN TEAM

RMC COATES TALENT LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR

REYNOLDS WINS RMC MEDAL

PLAYER FOCUS: SIENNA TALLARITI

AFLW DRAFT COMBINE INVITEES

Q&A WITH TATYANA PERRY

TOP 5 NATIONAL COMBINE RESULTS

COX’S NEAR-PERFECT SCORE LIGHTS UP COMBINE

THREE PLAYERS, ONE DREAM

TOP 25 IN 2025

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

DRAFT GUIDE PLAYER PROFILES EXPLAINED

PLAYER MEASUREMENTS

› All heights and dates of birth that are included are as up-to-date as possible either via more recent Draft Combines or in preseason testing.

DRAFT PROJECTION

› Rookie Me Central’s expectation of the range where the player is likely to be taken in the AFLW Draft.

KEY NUMBERS

› The key numbers section is a look at some key statistics from the players’ relevant competition and year the statistics are taken from. An example is Talent League ‘24, which means Talent League 2024.

ATHLETIC AND ON FIELD DATA

› The on-ﬁeld data is the opinion of the individual writer who has composed the proﬁle. The attributes are based off a four-rating scale of Elite (purple), Above Average (green), Average (yellow) and Below Average (red). These are rated in comparison to the draft crop as a whole.

The nine key areas are as follows:

AERIAL: a combination of vertical leap and marking ability

AGILITY: based off a combination of on-ﬁeld and testing results

CONSISTENCY: the rate at how consistent the player across the course of the season

CONTESTED: how well the player fares in contested situations

DISPOSAL: how effective the player is in distributing the ball cleanly

ENDURANCE: the level of ﬁtness the player has based on on-ﬁeld work rate and testing results

FOOTY IQ: describes the player’s understanding of the game

SPEED: based off a combination of on-ﬁeld and testing results

STRENGTH: the level of ability a player has one-on-one opposed to another player

DRAFT ANALYSIS

› The key strengths and improvements of each draft prospect.

FULL PLAYER PROFILES, NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

› Every Draft Combine invite has a link back to their full AFLW Draft Proﬁle on Rookie Me Central, which includes player highlights and any articles they have been mentioned in on the site.

TOP 30 PLAYERS TO WATCH

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Grace Baba is an athletic and gifted player who has spent less time at the sub-elite junior level than most, but has caught the eye with her fantastic vertical jump and speed off the half-back line. While still developing some of her fundamental traits, Baba's foundational base from which to work from for a future club is fantastic. Starting her journey in Year 8, Baba could not have picked a worse time to try and get into a new sport, with the global pandemic essentially putting her hopes on hold for two years. Prior to that she had played a mix of

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IMPROVEMENTS

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soccer and hockey growing up, but followed her friends into Aussie rules. Though the two-year hiatus might have been a steep learning curve, Baba did not lose the faith that she would join the sport. Initially invited to play at Eastern as a double bottom-ager, but encouraged to focus on school, Baba got her second chance a season later ahead of her 17th year. She came in as a bottom-ager and lit up the games, providing some flair and dash from defence, ...

ATHLETICISM

GRACE BELLONI

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Grace Belloni's rise from a contested marking tall forward to full-time inside midfielder this year was one of the highlights of the Coates Talent League Girls season. Showing signs as a draftable player last season, Belloni's move catapulted her up the order and is now in late first round contention and spent time in both roles between Eastern Ranges and Vic Metro. Belloni's football journey at local level began at Olinda-Ferny Creek in the Outer East Junior Football League back in 2015. She progressed through the pathway playing between that competition and the Eastern Region where the early signs of her goalkicking started to come to the fore. She booted 32 goals across 17 games in the Yarra Ranges competition. Missing out on football over a couple of years due to the global pandemic, she got to still represent the Outer East at interleague in 2021. That naturally lead her into the Eastern Ranges Futures program where she played two games, and then made her then NAB League debut, including playing a final ...

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EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Georgie Brisbane stepped up from a bottom-age campaign to play out a key role for Vic Metro at the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships. Her last two years have been eye-catching for Eastern Ranges, running out in two consecutive Coates Talent League Girls Grand Finals, one as vice-captain of the club and another as captain. Brisbane's journey started at Kilsyth Junior Football Club back in 2017. She spent several years there until making the switch to play A Grade at Blackburn where in 2021, she made the interleague team. Following that successful season,

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the talented junior got scouted into the Eastern Ranges Futures and Vic Metro Under 16s followed. The natural progression – which included getting onto Eastern's Under 18s list – was the next step, and she was named vice-captain as a bottom-ager. She would play alongside a host of future AFLW Draftees including Laura Stone, Alyssia Pisano, Jess Vukic and close friend Hayley McLaughlin who would all reach the next level. A Hawks fan since she was ...

ATHLETICISM

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

One of the few names who is universally recognised by anyone following the AFLW Draft crop, Ash Centra is a sublime talent who has long been talked up as a genuine future star of the AFL Women's. Centra burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old in 2022 where she played eight games as a tall forward for the Power. That year, she was among the stars in Vic Country's AFLW Under 16 Championships side against Vic Metro, and that natural development saw her explode from future talent into full blown star by year two. There, Centra made the move into defence for the Power and instead of kicking goals, was thwarting opposition attacks and picking off any balls that came her way inside 50. Though plying her trade as a defender at Coates Talent League level, Centra earned her spot as a bottom-ager with Vic Country and played both forward and midfield, a dual role she would carry on into her top-age campaign with both club and state. In 2023, Centra would collect the Vic Country MVP for her work averaging 16.7 ...

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JASMINE EVANS

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Jasmine Evans was a player few had heard of two years ago, but after a stunning rise through the ranks at SANFL Women's level in a debut season to remember, the talented young star quickly made a name for herself. She became a senior premiership player at the level, earned a spot in the AFLW Academy and has been a permanent fixture in the South Australian state side. Evans' story is an intriguing one, having played hockey growing up, then opting to give footy a go. She started out at Salisbury, and while the global pandemic effected much of the

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formulative years of footy, Evans got her chance in 2021 where she booted 12 goals across 24 games playing in both the Under 15s and Under 16s sides. Her double bottom-age season in 2022 brought about change though as she caught the eye playing through the Under 16s side and when whispers started circulating that there was a highly talented local player with elite footskills making her way through the pathway, it caught the attention of South Australian

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

ZIPPY FISH

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Zippy Fish is one of those prospects that since bursting onto the scene at Under 16s level has had fans excited about what she can bring to the elite level. A handful of prospects live up to the potential they set as a younger teenager and Fish is certainly one of them. Across the last few years, Fish has built quite the résumé out west and looms as an easy top five selection. Aside from having arguably the most recognisable name in the AFLW Draft crop, Fish has a junior career that backs up the hype. Winning the Under 16s MVP a few years earlier when Western

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Australia had intra-state clashes and then played a full season at East Fremantle as soon as she was age-eligible to do so in 2022. A year later, Fish quickly established herself as no longer a future prospect, and instead became one of the stars of the competition. Alongside an ultra-experienced Sharks group, Fish spent time off half-back and through the middle, adding her explosive speed and evasion in transition to help guide East Fremantle to the 2023 ...

ATHLETICISM

SIERRA GRIEVES

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Sierra Grieves had one of the most illustrious top-age years one could hope for, finishing 2024 as the AFL Women's Under 18 Championships' MVP, All-Australian, Vic Metro MVP, Coates Talent League and Rookie Me Central Team of the Year, and Western Jets best and fairest winner just to name a few. The Western young gun has worked hard to get where she is today, having come through Yarraville Seddon Eagles with the boys and then the girls, before being scouted by the Western Jets in her 13th year. Along with fellow triple bottom-age talent Lou-Lou Field

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when she trained with the Under 18s side back in 2021, Grieves and Field both played key roles in the Jets' breakthrough flag of 2022. Alongside the likes of future draftees Montana Ham, Charlotte Baskaran and Kiera Whiley just to name a few, Grieves was always touted as a player to watch. Like many great champions, Grieves is humble and though quieter than some, let's her football do the talking.Grieves has managed 34 games with the Western ...

ATHLETICISM

ZOE HARGREAVES

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Zoe Hargreaves was a player who made plenty of people take note last year in her debut Coates Talent League Girls season. Having not played at the level prior to that, the bottom-ager made up for lost time, producing a super year which culminated in her representing Vic Metro – and impressing – against the Allies, before being named in the Vic Metro hub for 2024. Alongside her younger sister Phoebe (2025 AFLW Draft class), Hargreaves has moved through the junior pathways since joining Fitzroy's inaugural Under 10s side. The sisters took up the chance to

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test themselves at the level at ages eight and nine, and have remained at the club since. Zoe made backto-back interleague squads for the Yarra Junior Football League, but after not being noticed at first by Northern, was invited to trial after her Under 16s season. From there, Hargreaves made it into the Under 18s Knights program, and has pieced together some fantastic football over the last two years. A 'crazy Baggers fan' who looks up to the likes of Mimi ...

ATHLETICISM

TARA HARRINGTON

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Tara Harrington's top-age season was curtailed by a pesky ankle injury that restricted her preseason and ended her year, but the talented AFLW Academy member is still among the top players across the country heading into the 2024 AFL Women's Draft. A Bond University premiership player, Harrington has long been identified as one to watch since catching the eye as a 15-year-old a few years back. Playing off halfback her class, skill and run and carry stood out, and Harrington gradually developed other areas of her game to impact on the inside as

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well. Taking on the Lions Academy in two Under 17 Championships matches back in 2021, Harrington averaged 22.0 disposals, 4.0 marks and 4.5 rebound 50s off half-back, and then by 2022 had made both the Under 18s Queensland squad and Suns Academy Coates Talent League Girls sides. She held her own stepping up to spend time around the ball and off a wing at times, while still providing run off half-back. By her bottom-age year she was stepping up to be an ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE

HAVANA HARRIS

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Havana Harris is right in contention to be the best player in the country this year, and while her equally talented counterpart Ash Centra has (deservedly) received plenty of plaudits, Harris is every bit beside her in terms of her rare ability to tear a game open. The Gold Coast Suns Academy member is another player who has long been touted as one of the stars for this draft, with her incredible athletic base that allows her to burn off opponents and play in any position across the ground. Looking back at her at her journey, Harris made her way through the Burleigh Bombers

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before being picked up by the Suns Academy. Once there, and entrenched in Bond University's successful QAFLW program, it was very evident early on that Harris was made to play at the top level. Across all levels of competition, the 182cm talent seemed to look that step above others. Over the past two seasons, Harris has won back-to-back All-Australians at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, and won the overall carnival's MVP as a bottom-ager in 2023. ...

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ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

SARA HOWLEY

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Producing an incredible 2024 season that backed up her bottomage campaign, Sara Howley has an accolade-filled trophy cabinet. With multiple Geelong Falcons best and fairests, Vic Country MVP, back-to-back All-Australian and Coates Talent League Girls Team of the Year honours, and both the league best and fairest and Rookie Me Central Medal last year, there is little she has not accomplished. Howley is surprisingly a latecomer to football by many of her peer's standards despite growing up in a footballing household. She supported Geelong throughout her

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life, though only took the on-field plunge at age 12. Having previously played both netball and athletics, she made the switch with some friends and never looked back. One of the exclusive club that has spent four years in the Coates Talent League Girls system, Howley played two games as a triple bottom-ager in a side that would go on to reach the grand final. Though a far throw from the dominant ball-winning player she is today, Howley got a taste for what was to come. As ...

ATHLETICISM

EMMA JUNEJA

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Emma Juneja is an exciting AFLW Draft prospect out of New South Wales and in particular the Sydney Swans Academy. Playing off a wing in 2024, Juneja lived up to expectations that came with being the Swans' sole AFLW Academy member, going to another level to really catch the eye both through the Coates Talent League Girls competition and AFLW Under 18 National Championships. Juneja's journey started at age 11 where she ran out for the East Sydney Bulldogs and quickly loving the sport and the head coach at the time, she was accelerated through

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the pathway to be involved with the Sydney Swans Academy not long after. Eventually she would come through the Future and then Under 18s program, running out for the red and white in the Coates Talent League the past couple of seasons. At senior level, Juneja would represent Sydney University – a club she moved to over the offseason – and helped contribute to the Students' rise into the finals series. There, Sydney Uni came from fifth spot to reach a ...

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ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

CLAIRE MAHONY

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Claire Mahony wasted no time when bursting onto the scene with the GWV Rebels last year, quickly establishing herself as an eye-catching key forward. Hailing from a sheep farm on the outskirts of Beaufort in Western Victoria, Mahony had a first season to remember, averaging 4.5 marks and booting eight goals from 11 games. Mahony is one who has constantly challenged herself to rise to the level each time she has found a new challenge. She switched football clubs from Beaufort to Lake Wendouree in Ballarat which gave her first-hand access to the

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talent in the city. The then Under 16s prospect balanced her time between her age group and Under 18s in 2022, and was named among the best in 14 of her 17 games. That was enough to catch the attention of Rebels recruiters who added her to the Coates Talent League Girls program ahead of the 2023 season. Like so many in her age bracket, her junior football was impacted by Covid, and while juggling her footy for both school and club, she added another feather in her ...

ATHLETICISM

GRACE MARTIN

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Each year the AFLW Draft has feel-good stories of players who have knuckled down and really identified their weaknesses or shortcomings as a bottom-ager, then honed in on improving them over the off-season. Grace Martin is one of those players, with the utility having always been a really good player, but transformed into a genuine star in 2024. Taking away any ego from her own self performance, Martin worked on the areas of her game she needed to, in order to not only compete, but to go above and beyond. By the end of her top-age season,

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the Woodville-West Torrens talent would become an All-Australian at AFLW Under 18s level and really show recruiters what she can do if given the chance. Martin started her career at the popular SMOSH West Lakes and progressed into the Eagles' squad under coach Narelle Smith. From early on, Martin was identified as a player with plenty of weapons such as her strength, kicking and groundballs, all while having a fierce defensive hardness to her game. Over the ...

ATHLETICISM

EMMA MCDONALD

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Though Emma McDonald started football at a young age like many kicking around at Auskick, the future key forward's junior sporting career took a trajectory towards basketball where she played for Hawthorn Magic in the VJBL. There, the representative basketballer was able to show a few of the traits that she would later transition on the football field. In 2022, McDonald took the opportunity to switch from basketball to footy again and after a strong season at Camberwell Under 16s – where she kicked 16 goals from 11 games – she was quickly promoted to

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represent the Yarra Junior Football League (YJFL). The next season she ran out for Oakleigh and quickly turned heads from her Round 1 debut and only got better from there.McDonald averaged 14.2 disposals, 3.6 marks, 3.3 tackles, 2.7 inside 50s and booted 14 goals in 13 games, playing predominantly forward but also pinch-hitting in the ruck. Her form led her to represent Vic Metro, and despite a dominant outing against the Allies first up, was rested for ...

ATHLETICISM

SOPHIE MCKAY

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Sophie McKay is a prospect who all Blues fans will be excited about adding to their list, as she has proven herself to be a big game performer with plenty of weapons. The Sandringham Dragons talent is the daughter of 244-game Blue Andrew, and sister of currently listed Carlton AFLW player, Abbie. While McKay does draw some similarities to her older sister, there are more differences. She has the physicality side down pat – though admits she will never be as strong as "Abs" – but is more balanced and explosive than her sister. While Abbie is more of a first-possession

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winner, Sophie is the one receiving the ball and bursting from a contest to go forward. The younger McKay has long been touted as a player to watch, coming up through the Victorian programs over the last few seasons and running out for the Sandringham Dragons in the past couple. While the Dragons have endured some tough seasons, McKay has been a shining light, averaging more than 20 disposals across 17 games at Coates Talent League level.Playing a rotational ...

ATHLETICISM

GEORGIA MCKEE

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Georgia McKee without a doubt is one of the most naturally gifted footballers in this year's AFLW Draft. The talented small will divide recruiters as to where she falls with a number of factors playing a part, but few could deny that her best football is easily inside the Top 10 of this year's AFLW Draft. McKee is one of those players who has spent a lot time playing the code. She played for Elizabeth as soon as she could run around all the way back in 2012 aged six. By the time 2016 had finished, McKee had already played 66 games of junior football. She moved across to Glenunga where she impressed for the Under 12s quickly becoming a classy goalkicker up forward even for the Under 14s as a 12-year-old. By 2020, with many others unable to play football, McKee slotted 37 goals in 12 games for the Rams' Under 16s side in a dominant season. A year later she went up to Under 17.5s and it mattered little, playing between Division 1 and 2, booting 40 goals in 15 games. Her form saw her gain a place in the Under 17 Championships for South ...

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ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

MOLLY O'HEHIR

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

When it comes to well-rounded draft prospects, Molly O'Hehir is right up in the conversation for having the lot. A tall utility who is proven in just about every position, boasting elite athleticism, fantastic football smarts and a great balance between offensive and defensive traits, there is not much O'Hehir cannot offer to a club. O'Hehir's journey started at the age of nine at Freo City Dockers where she progressed through the pathway to South Fremantle. Following in the footsteps of older brother Roan – who also plays at the Bulldogs –O'Hehir initially had put footy on the backburner as the 179cm talent focused on her netball instead. She found her way back to the code through a friend, and the rest is history. It has not always been smooth sailing for O'Hehir who threatened to tear games apart even early in her career, but did not have the consistency to match. She was the explosive tall prospect who might take three bounces down a wing, but not feature again for some time, though the traits were always there. With hard ...

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ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

LOU PAINTER

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Lou Painter boasts some of the biggest weapons in this year's AFLW Draft crop and is among the top 10 players on talent and consistency, overcoming an ankle injury last year to bounce back and have a huge influence in her topage season. The Bendigo Pioneers prospect has long been touted as one to watch for the 2024 AFLW Draft, having come through both the Pioneers and Vic Country programs, picking up accolades along the way. Painter started later than many others at age 10, having initially been a dancer and netballer, before realising she reveled in the

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intensity and tackling pressure that football brought. Painter started at the Sandhurst Dragons where she won an incredible five premierships before moving onto the White Hills Football Club and of course, Pioneers. Looking well above the level from a young age, Painter announced herself fully at the Under 16 Championships in 2022, where she won Vic Country's MVP – ahead of a stacked lineup including potential pick one Ash Centra – across two games

ATHLETICISM

LILY PATERSON

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Without a doubt, Lily Paterson was one of, if not the, biggest improver in 2024. She showed promising signs as a bottom-ager, largely in spurts playing forward, but a midfield move for Swan Districts prompted a huge change in the top-ager as she quickly became one of the most prolific players in the WAFL Women's. Paterson is relatively new to the sport, having picked up the code a few years ago after coming from a dual soccer and netball background. She was invited to try out at the Swans, and since then changed her opinion and never looked back. Learning the

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sport took a little while which is why there was somewhat of a slow burn for the ball-winner, but once it all clicked, it was evident to see. Coming into the year, Paterson was looking to rack up a "couple of best on grounds", have "good stats" and most importantly enjoy the year, and it's fair to say the midfielder ticked all those boxes. After being more of a talented but inconsistent forward last season where Paterson averaged 9.5 disposals, 1.1 marks, 3.5 tackles and 1.7 inside ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Ash Patton is a multi-talented sportsperson who honed in on her football this year after juggling that and her international baseball career. While she did represent Australia at the Women's World Cup in August last year, Patton opted for Aussie rules thanks to its clear pathway compared to baseball where she conceded women are 'pushed to play softball'. Not keen to go down that path, Patton went all-in with her footy in 2024, and remains one of the more talented players running around, and it is all about building sustained substance to that talent that

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continues to emerge throughout the course of the season. A week after returning from Canada from that World Cup last year, Patton ran out for the Under 17 Futures game in Frankston, and her overall bottom-age year which included Allies representation, saw the talented forward earn an invite to the AFLW Academy. Patton is a member of the Giants Academy and represented them throughout the Coates Talent League Girls competition. She would once ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

SARAH POUSTIE

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

For clubs who have picks later in the first round or in the early second round and want a rock solid guarantee player who has all the hallmarks of a long career, then Sarah Poustie looms as a perfect choice. When it comes to her profile, Poustie's wide array of abilities are some of the more balanced in the draft crop, and she has plenty of ways to hurt an opponent. Poustie's footy journey according to her started as a toddler where her family would bring her to football games and as soon as she could, the youngster would memorise Carlton players

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out of the football record. A mad Blues fan who models her game on Sam Walsh, Poustie went to Auskick at age six with her younger brother Jack (Vic Metro Under 16s this year) and then to junior football at Hawthorn. She played there from age 10 until she was picked up by Oakleigh Chargers as a bottom-ager, donning a black helmet. Poustie said she took on the suggestion from her father to both protect herself and standout from the crowd, and then let ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

INDIA RASHEED

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

India Rasheed is a name that South Australians have known for a long time, with the young star impressing since breaking into the SANFLW a couple of years ago as a double bottom-ager. The daughter of international tennis coach Roger, Rasheed has forged own path on the footy field instead. Her father also donned the Double Blues jumper, with India able to play a key role in Sturt's run to the 2022 SANFLW Grand Final. It was her debut season in the state league, and she kicked two early goals in that decider against North Adelaide, though it would not be enough as

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the Roosters stormed home in the second half to claim the victory. Rasheed backed up with another impressive bottom-age season after injury interruptions meant she had a late start to 2023. Coming in to still play that forward role but get more of a taste of midfield time, Rasheed averaged 16.9 disposals, 3.9 marks, 4.6 tackles, 3.5 clearances and 3.3 inside 50s, while still kicking seven goals across eight games. The Double Blues could not make an impact

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ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

CHARLOTTE RIGGS

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

A 179cm ultimate athletic utility does not come around too often, but that is certainly an apt way to describe South Australian Charlotte Riggs. Already a SANFLW premiership player from her bottom-age season and having played seniors for three years now, the versatile Riggs has predominantly turned out in defence, but also played through the ruck and up forward. An incredibly bubbly person, Riggs lives in the moment and enjoys everything as it comes, but those moments can also weigh incredibly on her until she snaps back,

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refocuses and gets back to the job at hand. Speaking to the Central District star in the preseason, she spoke fondly of the 2023 SANFLW Grand Final where she played a key role. After having to step into the ruck after starting in defence following an injury in the first 10 minutes, Riggs too had to come off, hurting her ankle that had given her grief 12 months earlier. Immediately her thoughts raced to her state campaign being over and potentially six months of rehab ...

ATHLETICISM

MIA SALISBURY

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Mia Salisbury has fulfilled a really impressive top-age season, starting her journey at the age of six and when able, competed in the mixed competition before getting into the Gold Coast Suns Academy at age 14. From there, she progressed through the Suns' pathway to represent them throughout the age groups up until starting her Under 18s journey as a bottom-ager last year. Salisbury played all three Suns Academy games in the Coates Talent League Girls competition last season, averaging 7.7 disposals, 1.7 marks, 4.3 tackles and 2.0 rebound 50s,

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predominantly playing off halfback. It was the same role the 17-year-old then played for her state, providing some rebound out of defence for the Maroons across the three national carnival matches. Earmarked for a midfield role in 2024, Salisbury got that chance as some of her Suns Academy teammates aged out of the program, getting her hands on the ball more frequently around the stoppages and showing her smarts and poise with ball in hand.In the ...

ATHLETICISM

POPPY SCHOLZ

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Poppy Scholz is one of the more unique AFLW Draft prospects in this year's crop, having a wide scope of positional talent, as well as massive upside for the future. An ankle injury interrupted Scholz' hopes of a consistent national carnival, having impressed as a bottom-ager the year before. A well recognised young star in the SANFL Women's competition for Glenelg, Scholz started at the Bays alongside older sister Matilda, where she played as a wing in her double bottom-age season. Last year, Scholz moved to half-back to be an intercepting force, and

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that is where she found her best role, though has also had stints up forward and in the ruck. Scholz is the daughter of Australian netballer Peta Scholz (nee Squire), and has juggled the two sports at an incredibly high level. Multifaceted in her football journey, Scholz was always regarded as one with enormous potential for the future since she was young playing at senior level, and her form when fit and firing is hard to deny. While her ankle injury this year meant ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Elli Symonds is one of the top tall utilities in the AFLW Draft. Though having largely played as a ruck/ forward through her past two seasons, Symonds got a taste for the inside midfield role, one that clubs believe she could play at the elite level given her athleticism and strength around the contest. Symonds is a relative latecomer to football, having grown up with a primarily athletics, but also basketball background. She was actually set to head to the qualifiers at the Oceania Games but due to stress fractures in her back, had to pull out of the running.

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That prompted a chance to Aussie rules, a sport played on grass that would make life easier for her given the injury.The Dandenong Stingrays tall plied her trade through footy for the Frankston Dolphins alongside friend and fellow AFLW Academy member, Zoe Besanko. While the 2020 and 2021 years were wiped out due to the global pandemic, Symonds had a strong double bottom-age season in 2022 where she played in a premiership at Under 16s ...

ATHLETICISM

SIENNA TALLARITI

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Ask anyone about Sienna Tallariti and the words "mature", "leader" and "big game player" are sure to fall out of their mouths. Oakleigh Chargers coach Ty Vickery described his premiership skipper as "one of the most mature underagers I've certainly ever met" and showed her ability to 'handle the pressure and the big moments' as well as anyone. Tallariti plays a no-frills game but has a stack of weapons, is never one to talk up her own ability, but has produced when it counted more than anyone else. She is a back-to-back grand final best on ground-winning star

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whose goals coming into the year were centred around achieving her second straight flag and lifting up her teammates to become better players. The sheer definition of a team-first player, Tallariti started playing football at age 10, having watched her brother play and in a family that was passionate about the sport. As a 15-year-old in 2022, Tallariti got the call to train with Oakleigh, and was able to play eight games as an Under 16s talent. In the same year, ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

MACKENZIE WILLIAMS

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Mackenzie Williams is one of the more experienced Under 18s players in the AFLW Draft crop, having had the rare opportunity to run out for the Allies as a double bottom-ager two seasons ago. Over the last three years, Williams has played seven games at the national carnival and hardly puts in a bad shift. Her consistency for both the Allies and Devils – totally 38 games between 2022-24 – is one of her drawcards compared to a lot of others from the draft crop. One of a number of prospects from the Tasmanian football factory of North Hobart, Williams has not

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played a lot of matches in the red and blue the last couple of years, but has long been touted as one to watch from the program. Williams' ascended to the top of the elite junior ranks, earning Tasmania Devils selection in 2022, and the quickly ran out for the Allies despite being two years younger than most other members of the side. While she had to wait two more seasons before being drafteligible, Williams earned Under 17 Futures squad and eventually ...

ATHLETICISM

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Claudia Wright has not had much luck over the past two seasons. While being able to taste premiership success for Claremont this year, the top-age AFLW Draft prospect's season again was hampered by injury, ruling her out of the national carnival. Wright's footballing journey began like many others as a child, running out at Auskick for a bit of fun at the Subiaco Junior Football Club. She then stepped up to play in a mixed side before taking a break from the sport altogether for a while. A teacher at her school convinced her to return, but in an all-girls side

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at Claremont where she played juniors up until being eligible to run out for the Rogers Cup team. Her progression through the ranks came naturally, as Wright, a clearly talented junior moved through the Under 18s program to the senior group which was never short on talent. She squeezed her way in and stayed there for her double bottom-age season where she played 10 games as a 15-year-old in a team that went and won the flag. Alas for Wright, she would ...

ATHLETICISM

FIRST EVER AFLW NATIONAL DRAFT

THIS YEAR WILL MARK THE FIRST EVER TRULY NATIONAL AFLW DRAFT. FOR A LOT OF PLAYERS IT WILL MEAN THE FIRST TIME MOVING AWAY FROM HOME, WHILE FOR CLUBS, EXTRA EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON FUTURE RETENTION, ENSURING INTERSTATE PLAYERS ARE COMFORTABLE.

PETER WILLIAMS CHIEF EDITOR @ ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE INVITES A -

LILLY BAKER

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Lilly Baker entered the year as the one to watch from the Brisbane Lions Academy, with the key position utility showing plenty of promising signs in her bottom-age season. While injury interrupted her Coates Talent League Girls chances, Baker did get back to represent the AFLW Academy and then Queensland. Baker started her journey playing both cricket and hockey before eventually switching to Aussie rules in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. She took the opportunity to play at Noosa for three seasons on the word of one of her school teachers, then

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ATHLETICISM

made the move to Maroochydore ahead of the start of the 2023

QAFLW season. She remained there this season, adding just the three games to her eight from last season due to a combination of injury and Queensland representation. Though unable to don the Lions Academy colours through the Talent League, Baker did pull on the maroon guernsey in Queensland's three games against Western Australia, Allies and Vic Country. There, she averaged the ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

ZOE BESANKO

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Zoe Besanko is a player with the foundational base that gets AFLW clubs excited. She is still raw and developing areas of her game, but the athletic side, along with her natural leadership will stand out to recruiters and fans alike. The Dandenong Stingrays skipper started her sporting journey as many do in netball, before learning about football through her school. She gave it a crack, and from there moved through the pathway to represent her league, and then into the Stingrays' program. A Frankston Dolphins junior, Besanko played alongside close friend Elli

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Symonds as the pair grew up chasing the same dream. Making the AFL South East Under 15s side in 2021, Besanko quickly found her place with the Stingrays as a double bottom-ager in 2022. That same year, she represented Vic Metro at Under 16s level, and played in a local flag alongside Symonds and fellow future Stingray, Tahlia Sanger for Frankston against Karingal.Though limited with her local footy after that due to her Stingrays commitments, ...

ATHLETICISM

CHAMBERS

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Taya Chambers has plied her trade as a third tall rebounding defender who is capable of successfully fulfilling both offensive and defensive roles for her side. She is explosive, works hard off halfback and has a penetrating kick that allows her to breakdown opposition defensive zones. Chambers' footy journey started 'quite late' with the mad Fremantle fan neighbours with former Docker Michael Johnson, and friends with his daughter. The pair came through the pathway together, with Chambers starting at Canning Vale before moving into East Fremantle

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in Rogers Cup and then the League side. The East Fremantle junior immediately noticed the jump up from Rogers to League with regards to the professionalism, having spent a full year in the Under 18s competition in 2021, before before splitting her time between there and the League side the following year. She cracked into the latter for the last few games of the 2022 WAFLW season and held her place for the grand final where she had 16 disposals, three marks ...

ATHLETICISM

JEMMIKA DOUGLAS

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Jemmika Douglas is a Richmond Next-Generation Academy (NGA) member who is a combination of tough and classy, with a wide array of traits that catch the eye. Though not quick, Douglas is powerful, and it helps her shrug off would-be tacklers while having the knowledge to get into ballwinning positions around the ground, having played in most roles. Douglas started her football journey at age five where in the country she spent her whole childhood playing the game. She transitioned into the Bendigo Pioneers once becoming eligible

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to, while also being selected for the Tigers' NGA.Based in Mildura, Douglas started with the Red Cliffs Tigers in the Sunraysia Football League, before moving onto the Nangiloc Football Club just further south. She then ran out for the Bambill Football Club to remain in the top flight last year, prior to winning a relocation scholarship through La Trobe University, the Pioneers' major sponsor. After representing Vic Country at Under 16s level, Douglas was named in ...

ATHLETICISM

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Holly Egan is a dual sportsperson who spent her time juggling her football and basketball commitments before honing in on the former this year to target the AFLW Draft. The sister of Richmond's Grace, Holly presents as a very different player, though is not afraid to compete in a similar vein. The younger of the Egan sisters – who played one game with her elder sibling when aged just 11 – Grace was 17 – hails from Shepparton and progressed through the Murray Bushrangers youth program. Cracking into the Under 18s squad last year, Egan

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quickly established herself as a valuable utility, settling into a defender/midfield role in 2024. Though the Richmond supporter –who barracked for the Tigers even when Grace was at Carlton – is more of a fan of being inside 50, she has found a home in defence, rebounding with consistency for both Murray and Vic Country. Like many juniors, Egan played through the V/Line Cup in 2022, while also plying her trade up forward for the Shepparton Swans where she ...

ATHLETICISM

LOU-LOU FIELD

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Lou-Lou Field is part of the new generation of footballers who have played for the majority of their life. Having grown up on the western side of Melbourne, Field started with Werribee Districts as a child and spent eight years at the club. From there, Field was quickly identified as a clever intercept defender, representing her league and then the School Sports Victoria Team at Under 15s level. She made a name for herself at the Western Jets behind the scenes as a 14-year-old with plenty of potential. Once she was eligible to run out for the Jets in the 2022

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season, she played an integral role in defence, averaging 14.5 disposals, 2.3 marks. 5.8 tackles and 3.7 rebound 50s. She was only 15 at the time, but already one of the premier defenders going around. She took her game to another level in 2023, albeit only managing the seven games due to school football commitments to go with her 11 in 2022. She still lifted her numbers to 18.9 disposals, 4.7 marks and 5.9 rebound 50s as her Jets side struggled coming off ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Chloe Gaunt is a relative late bloomer to elite level programs, having developed her craft through first the Gold Coast Suns Academy, and then the Brisbane Lions Academy, before moving into Queensland. Always tall and athletic, she had those key traits going for her from day dot, and 2024 marked about adding some extra elements to her natural abilities. Gaunt started her football journey not too long ago, opting to join the code over rugby league which her brother played at the time. Given Gaunt's high-level athleticism, it was a natural fit, with the former

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track and field star finishing ninth in the country for triple jump as a young teenager.Eventually though, team sport came calling, with Gaunt admittedly "bored" by the individuality of athletics, and with the support of her father suggesting Aussie rules, Gaunt made the transition. She spent two years at Southport in the Suns Academy, before relocating to Coorparoo where she has been the past three years, and a member of the Lions Academy. The 182cm ...

ATHLETICISM

LEXI GREGOR

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Lexi Gregor has had her fair share of setbacks in her junior career already, with the promising tall missing out on her bottom-age season due to a genetic condition, but making up for it with an impressive top-age campaign. Gregor's football journey started like many others playing footy since she was little, while sharing her love of sports by playing basketball through childhood as well. Eventually something had to give and she chose the oblongshaped game, and set about making a career in the code. At the age of 14, Gregor was picked up by

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the Pioneers, playing four games as a triple bottom-ager in 2021. She would add eight more games to her name in the 2022 season, booting four goals from eight disposals across the year spending time at both ends of the field. A promising tall, Gregor's career hit a roadbump at the end of 2022 when a genetic condition – two bulging discs in her back – flared up. It was so serious that the Pioneers tall did not play a game for 18 months, missing all of 2023. Despite not ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Scout Howden co-captained Sandringham Dragons this year and ticked a lot of boxes over her football journey. A well-rounded player who has primarily locked down a wing role but also spent time coming out of defence, Howden is just good across the board without one particular elite trait.Looking at Howden's journey, she split her time between football and basketball, representing St Kilda City in the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL). She progressed up the grades in the competition and represented the interleague in 2021 before earning

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a spot on the Sndringham Dragons list in 2022. There, Howden played her three games for the Futures and cracked in to finish the year in the Under 18s side as a double bottom-ager. She got a taste of what was to come, though her bottom-age campaign in 2023 saw her take her game to another level. Quickly establishing herself on the wing – often donning the long sleeves – Howden averaged 20.5 disposals, 3.0 marks, 3.2 tackles, 2.2 inside 50s and 2.3 ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Georgia Knight has long been regarded as one of the most reliable goalscorers in the Coates Talent League Girls competition. In her third season with the Eastern Ranges – and second full year at the club, Knight has been amongst the leading goalkickers both years with her sheer volume of goals she has kicked, as well as set others up. Knight came through the Eastern Region Female Football League with Monbulk, while playing school footy at Rowville Secondary College. She kicked 21 goals in 16 games in 2019, before returning from the Covid layoff to slam home

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36 in nine games through the Outer East competition for the Under 17s Monbulk side. She would catch the eye at the interleague competition as well, and was therefore scouted into the Eastern Ranges program. A move to Vermont in 2022 yielded some change for Knight, who got her first taste of Coates Talent League Girls action. She kicked three goals on debut and then would return late in the season, getting a final in and kicking eight goals from four games ...

ATHLETICISM

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Millie Lang has achieved plenty in her junior career, having played the sport all her life and has made her way through the pathways to earn an AFLW National Draft Combine invite this year. A member of Vic Country's squad the past two years where she ran out in two games each carnival, the reliable interceptor also plied her trade for the GWV Rebels across the 202324 seasons. Lang first caught the eye playing school footy where she dominated in 2022 for Ballarat Clarendon College coming out of defence. Using her potent left boot, the tall was able to slot straight

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into the Rebels under the same coach Sally Riley and in a breakout season, averaged 23.4 disposals, 3.9 marks, 3.4 tackles and 7.6 rebound 50s. Coming into 2024, Lang was going to split her time between defence and midfield, rotating at centre bounces where she looked to use her strength and smarts to impact the contest. Though a good experience, it was evident her best role was in defence, and she largely stepped back into that intercepting and ...

ATHLETICISM

MAGGIE MAHONY

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Maggie Mahony is one of the more competitive and consistent players running around and will stop at nothing to achieve her dream of reaching the top level. A mad Collingwood fan who was at the 2023 AFL Grand Final, Mahony is a rock solid choice at this year's AFLW Draft, and while there are areas for her to polish up, she is fully focused on becoming the best possible player she can be.Mahony's football journey started at a young age when the talented small started in Under 8s following her friends into the sport. She was the sole girl in an

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otherwise all-boys side, and loved it so much she signed up with Glen Iris Gladiators. She stayed there until Under 16s level, and was scooped up by Oakleigh where she has spent the past three seasons running out for the Chargers, winning two flags in that time. Since playing six games as a double bottom-ager, Mahony has added a further 24 more in the past two seasons, and that was even after a broken collarbone mid-season threatened to derail her top-age

ATHLETICISM

TATYANA PERRY

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Tatyana Perry has long been touted as one of the most exciting AFLW Draft prospects coming from the Top End. The Northern Territory talent has been in and around the Palmerston Magpies program since she was young, and has caught the eye with her blistering speed, clean hands and neat skills all of which standout wherever she goes. Perry has footballing royalty running through her veins, with uncles Aaron and Alwyn Davey both playing at the top level and the reason she supports Melbourne and 'sometimes' Essendon. She played alongside her mother

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ATHLETICISM

Bronwyn Davey in her NTFLW Premier League debut, and is the same age as cousin and fellow draft prospect, Waylon Davey-Motlop. Perry does not need footballing ties in order to get her name in front of recruiters though, with the 18-year-old having played with the Allies for the past three seasons, joining Mackenzie Williams as the other now top-ager to achieve that rare feat. The Palmerston product has played seven games at national level, while also running out for ...

ATHLETICISM

AMELIE PROSSER-SHAW

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Amelie Prosser-Shaw stands at 175cm and has played in defence, on a wing and through the middle to justify here being one of the top NSW-ACT prospects this year. The only player from her state who earned an AFLW National Draft Combine outside the two AFLW Academy members in Ash Patton and Emma Juneja, ProsserShaw has a bevy of fascinating traits that clubs will love.ProsserShaw started her football journey at Baulkham Hills Hawks before moving onto the East Coast Eagles in the AFL Sydney competition. A powerhouse over the last few

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ATHLETICISM

seasons, Prosser-Shaw played in her side's premiership-winning performance this year. The Eagles successfully won their third straight flag, with Prosser-Shaw winning her second straight premiership medallion. The talented utility was known for kicking plenty of goals from a very young age, In the Under 12 Youth Girls back in 2018, Prosser-Shaw slammed home 59 goals in 18 games, before a year later kicking 67 across 24, while playing seven games in the ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Holly Ridewood has quite the topage season this year. Having only taken up football in 2020 as a late bloomer then waiting until 2022 to finally get a full season out on the park due to the global pandemic, Ridewood set about making up for lost time. The then double bottomager unfortunately broke her finger in her first full season, missing six weeks. Luckily she was able to show enough to earn a spot with the Northern Knights as a bottomager. In the 2023 Coates Talent League Girls season, Ridewood averaged 11.9 disposals, 2.1 marks, 4.3 tackles, 2.8 inside 50s and 1.9

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ATHLETICISM

rebound 50s, also getting forward to boot four goals. The former full-back with the booming kick had worked her way to a midfieldforward role, and by her top-age year, she had earned the Knights captaincy and was now on a wing. Describing the captaincy as an "unreal opportunity", Ridewood not only maintained signs she'd shown as a bottom-ager, but took her game to another level. She let missing out on Vic Metro's Summer hub fuel her desire to go to the ...

ATHLETICISM

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

ESTHER SCHIRMER

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Few players have remained as consistent as South Australian Esther Schirmer over the years, with the rock solid defender flourishing in 2024 to achieve all of her goals so far and more. Following in the footsteps of older sister Gypsy, Schirmer has been a reliable player South Adelaide coach Rick Watts can turn to in order to do a job. While the older Schirmer was a member of the AFLW Academy and showed plenty of exciting athletic traits across a range of positions coming through the pathway, the younger Schirmer is very different. While still underrated athletically –

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ATHLETICISM

particularly in her agility – Esther's greatest point of difference to her sister comes in her one-on-one and defensive abilities.Having some of the biggest jobs in the SANFLW over the past few years – including trying to quell Lauren Young a couple of times – Schirmer is a no frills defender with a high level of competitiveness to beat her opponent. A softly spoken talent who has come on in leaps and bounds in 2024, Schirmer got a taste of life with more ...

ATHLETICISM

A - Z STATE COMBINE INVITES

RUBY BALLARD

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Ruby Ballard is the sister of Adelaide Crows’ Abbie and if you watch her it is clear the siblings are cut from the same cloth. Though still boasting differences, the younger Ballard brings the same outstanding agility as well as footy IQ and clean hands at ground level. Earning a State Draft Combine invite, Ballard’s balance of offensive and defensive traits really come to the fore. She is able to win the ball in the forward half or around the coalface and feed it out cleanly to teammates on the outside. She has deceptively good speed which was shown in the Draft Combine testing results, and her evasion is great. Ballard is not a high production player, averaging the 8.3 disposals at the national carnival and 10.9 disposals at SANFLW level, and as a forward/midfielder does not kick as many goals as what would be ideal. However what she does so well is setting up her teammates, using the ball cleanly by hand and winning touches both on the inside and outside. Abbie was a later developer and Ruby certainly bears similar traits with upside for the future.

DISPOSALSMARKS

SABELLA BANKS

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Sabella Banks enjoyed a consistent top-age season for East Perth this year as the Royals improved on their inaugural WAFLW year. Banks provided some great run and carry which would come into play at the Draft Combine testing later in the year, as well as taking on some big jobs. A reliable defender who could attack as well as defend, Banks put her name into draft calculations. Getting the call up to the West Australian squad, Banks faced the likes of Ash Centra and Georgia McKee with the coaching staff not afraid to hand her tough jobs inside 50. While her opponents got on top early, she quite often managed to nullify them in the second half of games and held her own. That accountability and defensive pressure underpinned her game, though as she showed at the State Draft Combine, possesses some elite speed and athleticism that can be further maximised on gameday. She does have to work on some of her fundamentals and kicking precision as well as overall production, but has the hallmarks of being a really accountable player who can impact offensively as well.

ROOKIE

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Lucy Boyd has been a mainstay at SANFLW level over the last three seasons, overcome an injury-interrupted bottom-age campaign to return and play out a full year with the Bloods in 2024. Standing at 172cm, Boyd is that in-between height for her role which is usually a tall defender, though she can be swung forward to provide an aerial presence. The South Australian boasts some nice footy IQ and understands the game well, with her ability to get into the right positions and intercept mark at half-back or deeper one-on-one. She has worked hard on her endurance base, clocking a sub-eight minute 2km time trial at the recent State Draft Combine, though her athleticism as a whole is the next main improvement for Boyd. When it comes to her best traits outside her marking, Boyd is a penetrating kick of the football, and is not afraid to push up to receive the ball by hand at half-back in a one-two situation. She ran at 77.8 per cent efficiency at the national carnival and was clean with ball in hand, while averaging 14.5 disposals and 3.7 marks at SANFLW level with a similar efficiency.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

Holly Britton is the younger sister of West Coast’s Jaide, and though both have had their greatest successes on a wing, the pair are very different players. Both use the ball well and have the footy smarts that come naturally to them, but while Jaide is the explosive outside runner with high-level endurance, Holly is a greater contested ball-winner without those top-end athletic traits. What the younger Britton offers is a point of difference to a lot of other wingers out there. Unlike many who might prefer sticking to the outside ball, Britton is a natural inside midfielder so extracting the ball from the coalface is something that is not foreign to the Peel Thunder midfielder. A role change from the inside to wing this season was a roll of the dice given Britton does lack those athletic qualities, but it worked well. By the end of the year, she had produced an eye-catching campaign, and there is no doubt she is a superb ball user both inside and outside the contest, and her vision and footy IQ standout on the football field. Watch for her to further develop with more time regardless of the level she is at in the future.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

PEEL THUNDER WESTERN AUSTRALIA

CHARLOTTE BREWER

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Charlotte Brewer has an array of eye-catching athletic traits that epitomises the modern rebounding half-back. Suiting up for Oakleigh Chargers as well as Vic Metro, Brewer is an outside player and she produces some explosive runs turning defence into offence. That balance of speed and agility enables her to create scoring chains for her side. Brewer’s consistent rebounding provides a transitional run for whatever side she represents, and that speed out of the back half immediately puts the opposition on the back foot. At the State Draft Combine, Brewer clocked a blistering time of 3.128 seconds, as well as an 8.68-second agility test, the second fastest on the day. Though a consistent outside speedster, Brewer does have to develop her contested side more both in the air and at ground level. She is best with the ball in space, with just 18.6 per cent of her groundballs contested at Coates Talent League Girls level. However that breakneck speed and reliability in the back half is what has attracted clubs to Brewer, whose dad Matt coaches Casey Demons in the VFLW.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

REBECCA CLOTTEY

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Rebecca Clottey is a modern day small forward who mixes nice goal sense with elite pressure making opposition defenders very nervous. The Geelong Falcons small forward is far from the finished product, building on her three games from 2023 to play 12 in 2024 and then even run out for Vic Country once. Clottey is quite raw and has elements from her fundamentals to production in order to become more consistent, but she is one of the best tacklers inside 50, averaging 7.4 per game for the Falcons, from her 10.5 disposals. The Victorian also possesses some great goal sense and plays a team role, with her fantastic speed catching the eye. If Clottey can further develop and enhance the elements of her game that are still a work in progress, then she can add a different look inside 50 to most clubs thanks to her pressure and smarts close to the big sticks. Her year-on-year improvement from 2023 to 2024 earned her a State Draft Combine and she provides a point of difference for a forwardline.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

GEELONG FALCONS VIC COUNTRY

LAVINIA COX

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Considering her short time period at the sub-elite level for Aussie rules, Lavinia Cox made plenty of strides in 2024. The Bendigo Pioneers midfielder started off slowly as she got used to the speed of the game, but by the end of the year had represented Vic Country and was finding the ball more consistently both inside and outside the contest. Her game is underpinned by her elite athleticism both in the air and running across the ground. Her agility is ridiculous, but her speed and endurance is also very good, which enables her to impact games for longer than most. Her kicking efficiency and fundamentals are still developing, but it was clear she has been working hard on them, having produced a number of difficult kicks across her body, and transitioned contest-to-contest more consistently in the back end of the year. Aside from her athletic traits, Cox is composed with ball in hand, and like most basketballers is able to buy herself additional seconds to dispose of the pill. As a whole, those traits along with her defensive mindset adds up to a long-term prospect.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

KAYLA DALGLEISH

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

There is a lot to like about Kayla Dalgleish’s game, with the tenacious small forward a real vibe in attack. She has the capacity to play through midfield as well, but given her size and strength - standing at just 161cm and being a lighter-bodied player - Dalgleish will likely be best suited to play that small forward both as a lead-up target and crumber at ground level. Dalgleish has some great footy smarts and forward craft that enable her to get into ball-winning positions and once she has it, uses her superior vision to spot up targets for scoring opportunities. Her kicking under pressure is an area that could improve, though when given any time or space, lowers the eyes and can hit targets well inside 50 with lovely weighting on her kicks. From a defensive standpoint, Dalgleish is as tenacious as they come. A huge tackling machine with great competitiveness, what she lacks in size, she makes up in hunger. The speedy talent has upside for the future and should be in consideration through the second half of the AFLW Draft given the consistency she has produced throughout the year.

BENDIGO PIONEERS

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DANDENONG STINGRAYSVIC COUNTRY

ASHA DUFOUR

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Asha Dufour is a really consistent midfielder who can find the ball in a variety of situations. Capable of competing in the air against taller opponents, working into space or taking it cleanly off the deck in congested situations, the West Adelaide talent is a developing prospect. After averaging 16.0 disposals, 4.5 marks and 2.0 inside 50s last season, Dufour spent her time on the inside where she added almost four clearances per game to her repertoire to go with 18.8 disposals and 4.1 marks. At ground level, Dufour is clean and her best work is done by hand to extract the ball out of the stoppage and feed it to a teammate on the outside. Her work rate to get contest-to-contest also stands out, as does her inside clearance work and consistent production. The fundamentals when it comes to executing by foot is Dufour’s main improvement areas with her precision, composure and decision making all going hand-in-hand. Dufour earned a State Draft Combine invite, with her ball-winning abilities and clean hands enough to suggest there is plenty of improvement to come.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

LAELA EBERT

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Laela Ebert is the type of player teammates love getting the ball in the hands of consistently. She uses it well and can hit targets on all angles and at any distances. Her composure, vision and decision making all complement her skill by foot, and in turn enables her to turn defence into offence quickly, working her way from half-back down the ground. In 2023, Ebert played as a defender and while not a high production player - averaging 10.9 disposals at SANFLW level and 6.7 disposals at AFLW Under 18 Championships - developed into a more permanent midfielder this year at both levels. While her main knock is getting into more ball-winning positions consistently, Ebert is one of the most damaging ball users in the draft crop. Overcoming an ACL tear in her double bottom-age season, Ebert has been building up her explosiveness again. More of a smooth-mover with some handy speed through the contest, the North Adelaide prospect can execute regardless of pressure and is a reliable extractor as well as facilitator going forward.

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NORTH ADELAIDE SOUTH AUSTRALIA

NATASHA ENTWISTLE

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Natasha Entwistle has carved out a consistent and ultra-reliable state league career in her first few seasons, becoming a mainstay in the East Fremantle defence. A highly competitive player who applies copious amounts of defensive pressure both in the air and at ground level, Entwistle is a team-first back. She can play negating roles as well as offensive ones, providing rebound from the defensive 50. With ball in hand, Entwistle has a good kicking technique though her precision is a way to further improve, with her short kicking and ability to switch when required both reliable. Over longer distances is where that precision element could develop, as could her endurance enabling her to impact more for longer. Her clean hands in the air whether she is up against taller opponents or smaller ones stand out, and she is strong at ground level too. Her defensive attributes are what set her apart, spoiling and tackling with fierce intensity never making life easy for her opponents. Furthermore, Entwistle moves well and can provide some run-and-carry in transition.

DAISY FLOCKART

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Daisy Flockart is no stranger to being thrown around into different roles on the football field. A midfielder/forward usually, Flockart did spend time on a wing as a bottom-ager, and then was moved to defence for Vic Metro at the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. Though not a preferred position, Flockart was able to play all three games in the role given the depth of players in her more preferred positions. From a ballwinning perspective, Flockart is strong at the coalface, thrives on the physicality of the sport, but is also quite explosive and powerful. From a defensive standpoint, Flockart can consistently lay huge tackles and put pressure on the opposition, and has the ability to work back defensively to take intercept marks. Her aerial ability is an element that has developed over the last couple of seasons, and while her kicking precision is an area to further develop alongside her groundballs, Flockart is good enough to impact both in the air and at ground level. With a full preseason, Flockart’s endurance will also develop as well to add another layer to her game.

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SANDRINGHAM DRAGONSVIC METRO

KYLA FORBES

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Kyla Forbes has played across all three lines for the Calder Cannons and now Vic Metro, with the versatile utility a strong prospect who has a high-level contested game and powerful left peg. Starting as a forward, she did gradually develop as a midfielder at the Cannons, and then in her top-age year took over that role. To play all three games for Vic Metro, Forbes ended up in defence where she could use her penetrating left boot to advantage, quite often taking the kickouts for the ‘Big V’ and releasing the pressure valve for her side. No stranger to winning the ball at the coalface, Forbes is a effective by hand and more than capable of extracting it from congestion. Forbes did have a tendency to rush by foot when exiting a stoppage, throwing the ball on the boot that led to turnovers. However with time and space she is more effective, and can hit the scoreboard when inside 50. She kicked seven goals in her bottom-age season with some eye-catching goal sense, and while at times her defensive pressure could improve, it made noticeable strides for Calder in 2024.

DISPOSALSMARKS

ZALI GALLAGHER

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Gippsland Power captain Zali Gallagher’s breakout top-age season came to a grinding halt when tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The 162cm wing had forced her way into Vic Country’s lineup off the back of rock solid Talent League form earlier in the year, with her two-way running and athletic profile catching recruiters eyes. Unfortunately for the explosive speedster that would come to an abrupt end, but not before she showed she was capable of matching it with the best in the country. She only averaged the 6.3 disposals at the national carnival, but holds her line well on the wing and will always put pressure on her opponent. Her traits lend themselves to roles up either end too, with that defensive capability a point of difference.Her kicking is the main area of improvement for Gallagher, running at around 50 per cent by foot across the Talent League and national carnival, but her advantage with her possessions comes in her metres gained and forced opposition turnovers, which is what will be key elements in her profile once she recovers from her ACL injury.

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GIPPSLAND POWER VIC COUNTRY

AMELIE GLADMAN

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

MURRAY BUSHRANGERSNSW/ACT

Amelie Gladman plays an important team role inside forward 50, and has shown over the journey that she is a clever forward with terrific hands and a great goal sense. Her nine-goal haul against Bendigo Pioneers last year helped her final tally go to 19 in 13 games, and while most of her majors came against the lower ranked sides in 2023, her consistency this year was far better.Gladman only went goalless four times from her 14 games, while kicking 19.16 from an average of 9.8 disposals. Once the ball hits the deck Gladman can be incredible dangerous, swooping on a loose ball and able to snap one across her body or run in and convert on the move. Also capable of clunking some good grabs, when required, Gladman is more of a ground level player and it shows with her hands and footy IQ. What the Chargers and Vic Metro forward needs to work on is largely in her defensive pressure, laying 24 tackles across 18 games. While her best weapons are with ball in hand, that element - along with developing a secondary position - will help expand her game into the future.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

Ellie Hall is a Giants Academy Under 16s MVP winner at the 2022 National Development Championships, before an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear put a line through her 2023 season. Returning to the fold in 2024, she tore up the track dominating the preseason yo-yo testing, and repeated the effort in the 2km time trial at the recent State Draft Combine. Hall is a fairly easy prospect to profile with some clear strengths and deficiencies in her game. Endurance is obviously a major strength of the Murray Bushrangers midfielder/defender, and her production - which saw her average 26.6 disposals, 5.6 marks and 6.4 tackles in 2024 - is among the best outside the top-end prospects. Hall herself deserves to be in the conversation for a top 30 spot, and should land not too far outside that range. Her work inside the contest and accumulation is outstanding even though for an inside midfielder she does not win a stack of clearances. That is largely due to the fact Hall is not athletic and therefore does not possess the breakaway speed of others, but her defensive pressure at ground level is elite.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

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KAIYA HIDES

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

DEF/WING

Kaiya Hides can catch the eye when up and about, with the Queensland AFLW Draft prospect overcoming missing out on her bottom-age national campaign to play a couple of games for the Maroons in 2024. Following a consistent few games for the Lions Academy at Coates Talent League level - averaging 12 disposals and four tackles - she earned her chance for Queensland. Not disappointing in the Maroon, Hides averaged 15.5 disposals, 3.0 marks and 3.0 inside 50s, catching the eye against Vic Country and particularly the Allies where she had 19 disposals and four inside 50s. Her clean hands at ground level coupled with her work rate to win multiple possessions in a chain really stands out.While Hides does need to improve elements such as her inside game and kicking under pressure, her outside game is what suits her athletic style. The Maroochydore talent won 68.8 per cent of her possessions at the national championships in an uncontested fashion, showing her work rate to get to the outside and cover plenty of ground.

1.5

SIENNA HOBBS

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Sienna Hobbs shot into AFLW Draft calculations with a strong top-age season where she was able to show her wares across all three lines.

A contested marking star, Hobbs presents as the ultimate key position utility. The 180cm Hobbs provides a contest each and every time she flies. If she does not clunk the mark, she will bring the ball to ground allowing her teammates to create a contest. Speaking of doing that, it is exactly what Hobbs achieves in each one-on-one, and in 2024, she booted eight goals in 14 games despite rotating between forward, ruck and defence for the Pioneers. At the national carnival, Hobbs kicked a further two goals from her two games. Those traits along with her kick penetration and ruck craft enable her to also shark balls out of the ruck and put it to goal-scoring regions, or able to take a shot herself.

Hobbs’ biggest improvement is definitely in her endurance. She will need a full preseason to be able to compete for long enough against elite level players, while also continuing to work on groundlevel craft such as her tackling.

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BENDIGO PIONEERS VIC COUNTRY

EMMA KILPATRICK

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Emma Kilpatrick entered her top-age season determined to improve her endurance and put in the hard yards over the preseason to do so. By the end of the year, Kilpatrick was one of the better runners across the board and was able to compete for four quarters consistently in both the SANFL Women’s and AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. Kilpatrick’s game is built around her penetrating kick and hard running from half-back, with the defender transitioning from being a player who often took kickouts or the first touch after that, to being a wing who hit the scoreboard. Her match-winning goal after the siren in the opening round of the season was her first in the state league, and she would kick another two a fortnight later. While Kilpatrick’s athleticism and kicking precision could improve, the penetration she gets on her kicks ensures she can clear the danger zone repeatedly. Furthermore thanks to her footy IQ she is willing to bite off those riskier kicks, and when she is able to do that, she can turn a game, so further development in that area will make her more damaging.

Tiffany King presents the most readymade prospect in this year’s AFLW Draft having produced a long and consistent career at SANFLW level. Boasting traits that will assist King in taking the next step up, the 179cm defender is not a massive accumulator, but her numbers did rise in 2024 and she showed the capacity to become more offensive in her play. The South Adelaide premiership player averaged 10.3 disposals and 3.5 marks in a backline that included South Australian MVP Esther Schirmer. She often took the most dangerous opposition forward and produced some brilliant shutdown roles, with her 18-disposals, seven mark and three-rebound 50 performance in a Round 11 one-point win over West Adelaide the personal highlight game of her year. King does her best work in the air, is mobile enough to compete with the slightly quicker key forwards, and will wear them like a glove. Her strength and accountability is terrific with a team-first approach to her football. She turned 25 this year and would be a readymade key defensive option for any AFLW club having proven herself in the strongest state league.

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SOUTH ADELAIDE SOUTH AUSTRALIA

LEIGHTON

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

MID/FWD

Lilly Leighton was one of a number of surprise packets in 2024, having shown signs in the past of being a draftable prospect, but taking that next step in her top-age season. The Gippsland Power midfielderwho has the capacity to play a high half-forward role - boast some outstanding athletic traits to complement her strong contested appetite. While Leighton did not make the Vic Country squad, she kept working hard at Coates Talent League Girls level, playing 14 games for the Power and finishing the year with a high contested ball-winning ability. Others might have a higher production rate, but Leighton won 54.9 per cent of her touches in a contest, and the same number of possessions off the ground, truly emphasising her first possession-winning ability. That inside game along with her athletic traits and defensive pressure highlight a well-balanced profile, with her production and kicking precision areas to further develop. Still, Leighton has shown herself to be a capable half-forward if required, with the future scope to be a powerful and quick inside midfielder.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

TACKLESCLEARANCES

NOA MCNAUGHTON

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Noa McNaughton is a talented top-ager out of South Fremantle who has largely played inside 50, but with some midfield bursts. While fantastic around goal, McNaughton is capable of stepping up and filling a midfield role as she did for the Sandgropers. Boasting a stack of eye-catching traits, McNaughton has plenty of natural talent at her fingertips. While like many small forwards her consistency is up and down, she did have a good year for the Bulldogs at WAFLW level, and she is capable of kicking some ripping goals. The energy she brings to the forward half of the ground is noticeable, and she has the class to turn a game on its head with a big quarter. Throughout the natural carnival she showed she could be thrown on-ball and provide a spark around the coalface. Looking ahead, McNaughton fills a niche small forward role and can add some important pressure inside 50, and while aiming to keep her feet a little more, is tough to stop once she has the ball in hand close to goal. One with further improvement in her if given the chance.

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SOUTH FREMANTLE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Nyalli Milne has levels of speed that few others can match, and when she gets going, is near-impossible to catch. That speed, coupled with her natural defensive pressure allows her to impact not just offensively with her run, but also force turnovers through her tackling. Milne’s closing speed to come out of nowhere and run down an opponent or burst away from a stoppage and leave opponents in her wake is what sets her apart from the crowd. While quick at ground level, Milne is also a capable high flyer and is athletic enough to take a shot at some big marks, and her impressive vertical jump aids in doing so. The Queenslander’s clean hands both in the air and at ground level further enable her to be a one-touch player and move the ball on effectively. Though Milne is able to hit targets going inside 50, that consistency with which she does so can be further improved, as could her endurance which she noted as an area to build upon for the future. As a whole though, her athletic traits alongside her balance of offensive and defensive tricks make her a mid-draft option for a lot of sides.

COBY MORGAN

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Norwood’s Coby Morgan took another step forward in 2024 as an explosive winger having played previously as a small forward. While always having the running capacity and speed to impact further afield, Morgan spent 2023 developing fundamentals within her game. She credits the year with the Redlegs and Croweaters as helping improve her footy IQ which is now a strength, able to get into more ball-winning positions on the outside. While elements of her fundamentals could still further improve such as her kicking and marking, Morgan’s outside game off a wing grew and she was able to make the position her own. She won her touches for South Australia almost exclusively in space, and used her explosiveness to advantage going forward. Not a massive accumulator, Morgan is a high impact-per-possession player through her run rather than execution. Going forward, Morgan will continue to develop her kicking while potentially growing a contested element, but few can match her impressive speed. The South Australian is a raw prospect with some exciting upside for the future.

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NORWOOD SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MEKAH MORRISSY

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Mekah Morrissy is one of those players that teammates love to go into battle alongside and captained Geelong Falcons and co-captained Vic Country. Though having specialised as a wing for the Falcons and Vic Country this season, Morrissy managed to win a ridiculous 55.2 per cent of her possessions in a contest, something unheard of for a predominantly outside player. The reason behind that number is her ability to just naturally fold in towards the contest and add another number around the stoppage, while also backing up her teammates both inside 50 and across defence to lift up the tackling intensity across the board. Her defensive pressure and contested work, alongside her footy IQ enable her to understand the game and where to go to best impact the game for her side. While her kicking itself can be polished up and she is not able to impact in the air like some, Morrissy is just a fierce competitor who punches above her 158cm height. Though usually not a massive accumulator, she got better in 2024, averaging 17.7 disposals for the Falcons, including a 40-disposal haul in the wet.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

KATE NEWSON

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Kate Newson stands as the tallest player to receive an AFLW Draft Combine invite, measuring in at 188cm and she is able to use that height and strong frame to dictate positioning at stoppages. At the National Championships, the South Fremantle tall averaged 22 hitouts per game, recording 14 more hitouts than her nearest rival. Her game is underpinned by that element, and the trade off from being so physical and aggressive is that athletic side of her game. The way she plays, Newson does not need that athletic element as much as some others, and instead focuses on other aspects such as developing her fundamentals and footy IQ further. Coming into the season she identified learning as much as possible to add extra layers to her game and continue to further her work around the ground.In the contest, Newson is able to bully smaller opponents with her strength and aggressive nature, and that assists in her midfielders winning the ball thanks to her team-oriented actions. While still raw in terms of her development, she will continue to hone her craft to get better.

GEELONG FALCONS

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ROOKIE

EVIE PARKER

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

EASTERN RANGES

Evie Parker stands at key position height but has the athleticism that many would be envious of, able to cruise around the ground at a quick top speed. At 179cm, Parker is a prototype wing of the future with the understanding of the role and ability to hold her width well throughout the match. Given her height, Parker is hard to beat in aerial contests, and has quick closing speed when an opponent has possession. With regards to her ball-winning, two thirds of her possessions come in an uncontested manner, working hard to find space and overing the ground well. Almost half of her touches are created via handball receives, with a further average of 4.2 marks from 17.2 disposals in Eastern Ranges colours, indicating the two key ways Parker obtains possessions. While improving her contested work as well as her composure with ball in hand as she goes to execute by foot, Parker is more of a well-rounded athletic base with some neat attributes that will be attractive to clubs. If a club can build on those traits, then Parker’s potential upside is limitless.

DISPOSALSMARKS

MOLLY PATERSON

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Molly Paterson is part of a star-studded Eastern Ranges lineup that is not short on talent through the middle. The Ranges’ leader offers consistent work rate and versatility whether she is playing inside, outside or as she did for Vic Metro and at times for Eastern, coming off half-back. Paterson’s defensive elements and quick hands in close define her game, though she has some terrific agility and a nice turn of pace out of the stoppage to add a point of difference there. She is clean off the deck, often winning it and shovelling it out to teammates, but can also cruise out of congestion and head forward to put the opposition on the back foot. That offensive movement is an element Paterson can continue to develop, with her defensive impact the greater of the two. She is a player who does not really do much wrong, but can lift her hurt factor particularly in the front half of the ground. Likewise with her composure under pressure, but given time and space she can be effective by hand or foot, and her consistency throughout the season was very good.

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EASTERN RANGES VIC METRO

VIOLET PATTERSON

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Violet Patterson looms as one of the first State Draft Combine invitees off the board, having pieced together a consistent three seasons at SANFLW level as well as two years running out for South Australia. Her competitive nature, defensive pressure and two-way running are all elements that come naturally to her, as does her leadership and character, with the Glenelg young gun as well spoken and polite as any 18-year-old to come through the pathways. While Patterson is one of the most loved and respected by her teammates, her fierce competitive nature comes out every time she steps on the field. Having played both as a wing and inside - even as a pressure forward for South Australia last year - Patterson has the versatility and athletic traits to make it in a wide volume of positions. Eligible to go to Collingwood as a fatherdaughter, Patterson could further tighten up her kicking and hit the scoreboard more often when in the midfield, but as a whole she has some fantastic traits that catch the eye and suggest that she will be as coachable and developable as any player before her.

1.5

DISPOSALSMARKS CLEARANCESTACKLES

SASHA PEARCE

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

One of a number of players who enjoyed a really strong and consistent season, Pearce produced such impressive efforts as a lockdown defender that she earned a spot in Vic Country’s side. Playing all three games for the ‘Big V’ in a similar role, Pearce offers terrific one-onone ability, strength and a defensive accountability that is a throwback to traditional defending. However Pearce is not simply a stopper, she can come off her opponent and intercept, or use her body to assist in bringing the ball to ground for teammates to swoop in and clear. The Bendigo Pioneers tall is clever at reading the play and understanding when to stick to her opponent and when she can impact a contest by peeling off and going third-up to assist another defender. Pearce opened up her versatility further over the past two seasons, spending more time in the ruck where she averaged 12.7 and 8.7 hitouts per game respectively. While admittedly her endurance and athletic traits are clear deficiencies in her game, she plays to her strengths within her role and offers a strong key defensive option.

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BENDIGO PIONEERS VIC COUNTRY

JEMMA REYNOLDS

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

DANDENONG STINGRAYS

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Jemma Reynolds showed plenty of promise playing as a forward who pinch-hit in the midfield last season, then stepped up to produce an outstanding top-age campaign both for Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country. Winning the Rookie Me Central Medal and Stingrays’ best and fairest award, Reynolds was a ray of consistency all season. The midfielder averaged 23.4 disposals and 3.4 clearances throughout the Talent League, winning 45 per cent of her possessions in a contest, and 40 per cent from groundballs. That is where Reynolds shines with her clean hands and extraction work inside a stoppage, while being capable of bursting out to kick long down the ground. Her kicking precision could further improve and Reynolds is a noted strong second possession winner while developing her first possession-winning abilities this year, but will look to add further strength to her frame given her smaller size at 163cm. As a whole though, her clean hands, footy IQ and composure inside the contest really stands out and she should be one of the first AFLW State Draft Combine players picked.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

A tall defender with reliable defensive traits who can also provide offensive run, Siobhan Ross put herself in draft calculations following a strong season. Though coming into 2024 she potentially saw herself as a forward, the amount of depth in the Maroons’ forward half compared to their back half was clear, and she solidified her place as a dualrole defender. Ross not only nullified opponents, but also read the play well and intercepted pushing higher up the ground, and powering her way from half-back to the middle with an aggressive gamestyle. Her natural competitiveness came to the fore, and her run-and-carry was a highlight of her game which otherwise focused on negating a dangerous opposition forward. Her kicking precision and composure with ball in hand are areas where Ross can further develop her game, though her best role is behind the ball and stopping her opponent as it stands anyway. While a touch undersized to play on key forwards at 172cm, she does well to punch above her height, and is mobile enough to compete with smaller players as well.

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ROOKIE ME CENTRAL SUNS ACADEMY

JASMINE SOWDEN

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Jasmine Sowden is a highly competitive player with great defensive pressure around the ball, but can hurt opposition teams offensively as well. At the stoppage, she has the smarts to read the ball off hands and win a stack of clearances, then when forward, Sowden finds space to win the ball and hit the scoreboard consistently. Sowden stepped up after a promising bottom-age campaign, averaging 20.7 disposals, 3.8 marks and 6.0 tackles in 2024, as well as booting a goal per game. She earned Vic Country honours and brought similar defensive prowess, with her evasive skills to weave around players or wrong-foot them. Sowden’s decision making under pressure, rather than her kicking technique is the main area that yields room for improvement. When executing sharply, Sowden can be damaging on both sides of her body, and with such skill at her disposal she looks like the best player afield at times. Although, she can be relatively unsighted on other occasions, so closing the gap between those performances is important to become a consistently high-level player.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

CLEARANCESTACKLES

STASIA STEVENSON

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Stasia Stevenson presents as a high-upside draft prospect having taken another step forward from her bottom-age season to her top-age campaign. The Eastern Ranges talent played a key role as a high halfforward, working hard to link up her side’s midfielders and forwards. Her speed, agility and vertical leap were all on show over the preseason to be one of the more well-rounded athletically gifted players in the draft crop. Throughout the course of the season, Stevenson managed to be more of a facilitator - kicking just the two goals but setting up countless others. While hitting the scoreboard is a further way to improve, she did slot 10 majors as a bottom-ager from 15 games. Her defensive pressure is high, and she loves to run and carry, putting the ball into dangerous spots that often lead to scoring breakthroughs. Stevenson’s kicking precision, as well as her marking are a couple of areas she herself has identified as improvements, but her natural athletic gifts and tenacious defensive nature make her a prospect with plenty of improvement.

ROOKIE

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

One of only two mature-age prospects who received AFLW Draft Combine invites, Stockwell was our top ranked mature-ager from the 2024 season. She booted 20 goals in 13 games playing for South Fremantle in the WAFLW, averaging 14.5 disposals and 4.3 marks as well. Though she is undersized at 165cm for the role she plays as a marking forward, Stockwell does it well and has proven herself against quality defenders. Stockwell’s ability to hit the scoreboard was frequent in 2024, with the Bulldogs forward kicking goals in 11 of her 13 games. That included seven hauls of multiple goals, while recording doubledigit disposals each week. Her marking was a huge factor in her game, and the hurt factor she showed with each touch in the forward half was evident. The knock on Stockwell’s profile is her speed and endurance, but the 20-year-old has now honed in on taking her football more seriously. She could be a bargain pickup for clubs given her readymade status and offers a point of difference as a medium forward with great marking and set shot goalkicking appeal.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

TAYA STRICKLAND

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Taya Strickland is a high-upside forward with some nice athletic traits that catch the eye. Having moved from Esperance down to Perth in order to take her football to another level, Strickland had an impressive season for Subiaco, earning six games in the League side, while kicking a couple of bags for the Lions at Rogers Cup level. Her athleticism and marking stand out as traits in her game, with Strickland’s ability to go into the ruck - albeit at just 174cm - another tick for her profile. When inside 50, she has some natural football smarts, and while adjusting to higher levels might take some time, has shown she has the tricks to do a lot of impressive things. Strickland is still quite raw and the production and consistency element of her game is not quite there yet. She has shown her talent in patches, and looked too good at Rogers Cup level at times, but still flashed in and out at WAFLW and AFLW Under 18s level. One who could be a great long-term investment with the right development.

SOPHIE STRONG

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

166CM

17/10/2006

MID/FWD

The fast-developing Tasmanian midfielder had a breakout bottom-age season last year, with Sophie Strong even being a late inclusion for the Under 17 Futures match. Her explosive speed out of the stoppage, overall athleticism and nice endurance base help her run out games strongly, and she is a high impact player both offensively and defensively. Unfortunately injuries got the better of Strong in 2024, which robbed the young gun this year. Her singular full game against Queensland was terrific and though only one game back, looked to be on the mend. An ankle injury the next match ended her year meaning the lack of exposure and durability are question marks for AFLW clubs. However as mentioned, on talent alone Strong is more than good enough to play at the top level. Her high impact, speed from the contest and defensive pressure make her an all-round player who has a touch of class. She could tidy up her composure at times, but the durability is the main question mark and with a full preseason, anything is possible for the talented Tasmanian.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

TIANI TEAKLE

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

EASTERN RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

EAST FREMANTLE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Tiani Teakle is a strong marking utility who plied her trade in a similar vein to her older sister up forward, but then made the move down back where she had a greater impact. More consistent behind the ball, Teakle showed great nous to intercept and drive the ball from defence. Like her sister, Teakle has a penetrating kick and is very handy one-onone whichever end she is up.While her endurance is a work in progress and her speed is an area that can further develop, Teakle has a lot of nice traits. She booted 10 goals in 14 games for the Sharks at WAFLW level then made a move down back late in the season where she had a huge first final against Claremont. In that match she clunked five marks and laid four tackles from 17 disposals to really shine in the defensive 50.At the national carnival, Teakle continued her development down back, playing all three matches deep inside defensive 50, averaging 10.3 disposals, 3.0 marks and 5.0 rebound 50s. Her athleticism might have her locked into that defensive shutdown role, but her powerful boot allows her to clear the danger as well which is important.

TASMANIA DEVILS

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THOMPSON

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

MID/FWD

Lucy Thompson captained the Tasmania Devils this year and balanced her duties between playing forward and midfield. A hard-edged, bigger-bodied forward/midfielder, Thompson played in the Under 17 Futures match as a bottom-ager and then for Allies through her topage national carnival. Standing at 169cm, Thompson is an in-between height but provides copius amounts of defensive pressure with 7.1 tackles per game. She averaged 12.6 disposals across the Coates Talent League Girls season, and though she had her injury interruptions, still got to put in a relatively consistent year. Her clean hands on the inside and up forward were among her better traits with her competitive nature and strength also standing out. While her athleticism is an area that needs improvement compared to her strength and footballing prowess, she is more of a contested prospect who can extract the ball to her faster teammates. With time and a bigger preseason, Thompson will also improve her endurance while polishing up her kicking.

DISPOSALSMARKS

ELLIE VEERHUIS

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Ellie Veerhuis was a story to remember in 2024, catching the eye as a rebounding defender for the Sydney Swans Academy, and looking to play a similar role for the Allies at the AFLW Under 18 National Championships. However after a couple of injuries to key midfielders, Veerhuis stepped into the inside group and shone, providing some great speed out of the stoppage and in transition going forward. While not the biggest of frames and needing to improve her strength, Veerhuis does attack the ball hard and will have a high level of defensive pressure to force turnovers and lay big tackles. Her run-and-carry down the ground is what stands out and catches the eye, and the fact she has spent time on both the outside and inside helps too.If she can further develop her endurance which is another area of improvement, Veerhuis will be able to compete for longer, Her upside is evident and that speed she possesses will take her far. No doubt she is one who could be a valuable long-term addition for an AFLW club, given how far she has come in her top-age year.

TASMANIA DEVILS

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SWANS ACADEMY NSW/ACT

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Abbey Vicino ticked just about every box she needed to in order to go from a player who missed out on Vic Metro’s Summer squad to being a consistent performer for the ‘Big V’ and earning an AFLW State Draft Combine invite. Though not explosive, Vicino moves well through traffic with terrific agility, while having ultra-clean hands both under pressure and in space. To get a sense for what Vicino offers, you have to almost slow the tapes because of her lightning disposal out of congestion to a teammate nearby, or on the overlap. Her footy IQ is quite impressive as well, and she can often produce deft taps to retain possession or draw free kicks for being held since she did not take possession. Since moving from the midfield to attack, she has had more time to dispose of the ball and her ball use -while still needing to be tidied up a bit - has improved. She consistently hit the scoreboard in 2024 with 11 goals in 12 games for Oakleigh and then four in three for Vic Metro, ending the year on a high with her second flag for the Chargers and putting her hand up to be drafted.

DISPOSALSMARKS

SEISIA WHITE

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Seisia White is a valuable prospect who could fit into any side thanks to the way she plays. Boasting a team-first attitude with a terrific balance of offensive and defensive traits, White is clever close to goal and brings tackling pressure to the forward 50. Her 7.5 tackles per game for the Geelong Falcons exemplify what she does so well, while still averaging around a goal per game White is not going to be a consistent 20-plus disposal winner so her production and consistency are key areas of improvement. On face value, there are elements of her game that need work, but she is a perfect example of look at what she does rather than what she does not. Already boasting an elite defensive game and fantastic forward craft, White can nail her forward role to a t.

The energy White brings to the front half of the ground is fantastic, she cracks in and is not afraid to put her body on the line and win contested ball, and finish off well within range of the big sticks. She generally uses it cleanly by foot and has the smarts which could see her a big improver at the elite level once she can gain greater consistency.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

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GEELONG FALCONS VIC COUNTRY

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Jemma Whitington-Charity might not have taken the field too often due to a devastating knee injury that put an immediate line through her season, but one does not have to go too far back to remember what she is capable of. Winning the Under 16s MVP at the 2022 Development Championships, and then making the All-Australian as a bottom-ager last season, the North Adelaide utility does have the runs on the board. Starting as a forward and progressing to pinch-hit in the midfield, Whitington-Charity found herself in defence for the Croweaters where she excelled as a reliable rebounding defender. She is a high ball retention player but does have the skills by foot to hit targets across all distances. Her kicking is the top-ager’s greatest strength, while also being a sound decision maker and strong overhead mark. Prior to her injury, Whitington-Charity needed to further develop her speed as well as improving her groundball work - but the class she possesses is rare. It is tough to put a draft range on a player who has not been able to show their wares, but she seems too good to be overlooked.

DISPOSALSMARKS TACKLESCLEARANCES

OLIVIA WOLTER

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Olivia Wolter came on plenty in her top-age campaign, stepping up to crack into the Vic Country squad after a successful start to the Coates Talent League Girls season. Capable of playing across all three lines, she showed her ability to run hard off a wing, or in transition, then went and played forward for Vic Country kicking early goals in both of her games. Wolter’s versatility is a standout trait alongside her clean hands and groundball work, able to impress in whatever role she players. When given the chance, she competes well in the air and can read the play well too. While going forward she will look to up her production and further tidy up some of her fundamentals, she did well when cruising on the outside going forward. Her work throughout the top-age season earned her a State Draft Combine invite and will have a wide variety of opinions from clubs as to where she could play her best football. Regardless she has performed strongly enough to be in with a chance in the AFLW Draft.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

GWV REBELS

VIC COUNTRY

OTHERS TO CONSIDER

ISLA BALDWIN

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

EASTERN RANGES

Isla Baldwin attracted AFLW club attention last year as a top-ager where injury unfortunately cut her season short. Despite only playing a handful of games in 2023, she still remained in the forefront of clubs minds and then juggled her commitments between the Eastern Ranges and Carlton VFLW. A natural inside midfielder, Baldwin is strong and can hold her own in the contest, possession clean hands and nice footy IQ.Once again injury cut her Coates Talent League Girls season short after rupturing her syndesmosis in Round 14 of the season. Fortunately for Baldwin, she had produced some brilliant football through the VFLW, finishing equal second in the Blues’ Best and Fariest playing through the middle. While she is currently focused on rehabbing, she is determined to improve her speed and contest-to-contest work, having excelled as a first-possession winner in a senior midfield against quality opposition. An onballer with traits she can adapt at the next level and has shown rapid development in a short space of time.

DISPOSALSMARKS

1.5

HANDBALLSTACKLES

JESS BATES

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

RANGES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

It remains a head scratcher that Jess Bates still needs a draft profile as there would be very few people mounting a case against her being on an AFLW list. The most consistent player across the country outside the AFLW in the last three seasons, Bates rarely ever plays a bad game. She dominates the stoppage, has improved her offensive work to match her elite defensive work, and she has one of the more wellrounded compete profiles. The only real sticking points are perhaps she does not have that explosive speed of some others, and she can polish up her kicking at times, but it is getting really nitpicky considering just how much she offers. Consistently matching - and often beating - AFLW players one-on-one, and holding her own in a super strong Glenelg midfield, there is no reason why Bates cannot step up and play at the elite level. Her production has not just been a factor this year, but has done it for multiple years over arguably the two strongest state leagues in the country. She then represented the SANFLW against the WAFLW and dominated again, winning best on ground in that game.

CARLTON FC GORDON ANDERSON/SANFL

GLENELG SOUTH AUSTRALIA

KENDRA BLATTMAN

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Kendra Blattman spent her top-age season as a ruck-forward and did enough to catch the eye in that dual role, with 2024 being a chance for her to swing back and show her talents there. Blattman played throughout the Swans Academy series in the Coates Talent League Girls, averaging 9.8 disposals, 2.8 marks and 2.3 rebound 50s as an exclusive key defender. After that stint, Blattman focused on her time with Sydney University as she was a key player in steering the Students to a preliminary final having only secured the last spot in the finals series. Her ability to roll between defence and the ruck was important in that competition, and she was named in the competition’s Team of the Year in the back 50. Her contested marking, accurate and penetrating kick, and great strength and vertical leap make her an allround footballer. If clubs focus on those elements rather than where she looks to continue improving - her speed and endurance - then she can be a reliable depth player who can make even more of an impact once building up that fitness further.

EMILY BROCKHURST

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Former lockdown defender Emily Brockhurst returned to the SANFLW in 2024 after spending time back at local level, and turned into a goalscoring forward. She not only held her own, but dominated, sharing the leading goalkicker award and finishing the season with 26 goals in 16 games. Though she missed out on the SANFLW state side, she still finished the year strongly and looms as one of the more damaging mature-age forwards. Brockhurst is capable of clunking some big grabs, and developed that area of her game as time went on, having been a predominant chest marker, to being more confident and strong above her head. She consistently hit the scoreboard, kicking goals in all bar four of her 16 games, with two bags of four goals and four lots of three-goal hauls. Not a massive accumulator, she can have her moments, but most importantly takes her chances when they come around, with reliable shots on goal, and also setting up her teammates. A case for the biggest improver in 2024 and certainly has draft claims should a club need a readymade forward.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

CHLOE BRYANT

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Chloe Bryant’s year did not start off ideal, with the talented midfielder suffering an injury early in the year that kept her out for some time. Luckily she returned to not only finish off the season with Geelong Falcons, but also Vic Country playing as a midfielder and wing respectively across those sides. Under the tutelage of Mel Hickey in both teams, Bryant thrived at extracting the ball and showing her smarts across the ground. What stands out about Bryant’s game is that she is not explosive or even test that well in agility but she just has the stoppage nous to weave through traffic and clean hands to dish off to free teammates on the outside. Her work to understand the space around her is sublime and then she can push to a wing and play a hard-running role out there as well. She is a lighter bodied player so at AFLW level playing inside midfield early on is not really a question, and Bryant will need to gain greater consistency to impact there too. However she does have the tools and traits to make it, with plenty of improvement to come.

DISPOSALSMARKS

CLEARANCESTACKLES

ELISE COOK

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Elise Cook is a natural footballer who has the smarts, skills and clean hands that standout in whatever role she plays. The GWV Rebels midfielder started in that role but ended up off half-back a fair bit to fit in with the Vic Country side and find her place there. At Talent League level, Cook averaged 14.5 disposals, 2.1 marks, 5.4 tackles and 2.3 clearances, showing her defensive prowess and work rate. The main knock on Cook is her speed as well as athleticism, but if clubs look past that element and can find a role for her, she has some very nice traits. In particular, extracting the ball from the stoppage and dishing out to free teammates, while picking the right option more often than not going forward. Though defensively minded, Cook can impact offensively as well to set up scoring opportunities for her teammates.

Cook played all three games for Vic Country off half-back, averaging 8.3 disposals and 4.0 tackles, and while not a massive accumulator, worked hard and covered the ground well. Has the potential to match it with senior bodies too thanks to her competitive nature and work rate.

GEELONG FALCONS

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

GWV REBELS VIC COUNTRY

OLIVIA FOGARTY

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

MID/FWD

Olivia Fogarty has put all her eggs in the football basket over the last two years as she chases her AFLW dream coming from a soccer background. Having gained club interest last year and in 2024, Fogarty again went around for Ainslie in the AFL Canberra. There she impressed in the tri-colours as that forward/midfielder showing off her agility and smarts close to goal. Fogarty also got the opportunity to represent her state, and got the confirmation as one of the best players in her league. Since that season finished, the Canberra native has moved down to Victoria as a train-on player with Hawthorn in a bid to earn a spot on an AFLW list. In terms of her game, while Fogarty is still improving some fundamentals and adapting to the physicality, she does have the balance of smarts and speed that enables her to create a lot of damage on the scoreboard directly and indirectly. At 26 years-old, she is a mature-age recruit who could make an immediate impact, and has shown she will leave no stone untuned to achieve her dream.

1.5

MADISON IBRAHIM

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

A hard working left-footer, Madison Ibrahim has some impressive traits that are transferrable to the top level. Her groundballs in particular are a point of difference compared to a lot of other players, and once she has it, Ibrahim is not afraid to take the game on using her speed to run and carry with ball in hand. That outside game is what she thrives on and plays so well coming off half-back. Ibrahim was able to adapt in patches when moved inside for the Bushrangers, but having that lighter body and less physicality meant she was not going to be a first possession winner often despite being a clean ball user at ground level. If she could develop that contested game and greater physicality that would aid in her development through that role. As it stands, her work off half-back suits her and her strengths, and if she can develop a greater consistency, then she will be able to impact games for longer. Fortunately she got the chance to play two games for Vic Country, averaging 7.5 disposals in the ‘Big V’ to go with her 13.9 disposals for Murray.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERSVIC COUNTRY

LILY JORDAN

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Lily Jordan opted to focus wholly on a VFLW season with Geelong Cats rather than split her time between senior football and an overage year with the GWV Rebels. That decision paid dividends with the 19-year-old starring in a new role through the middle where she ended up winning Geelong’s best and fairest award this season. A fierce competitor with outstanding defensive traits such as work rate and tackling, Jordan possesses clean hands at the coalface, is dual-sided and has a great understanding of the game. Boasting a high-level endurance base too, Jordan has proven she can run all day and coming to the club as a small forward, can hit the scoreboard if placed in that role too. The Geelong midfielder can further iron out her kicking to be more consistent - though it took another step forward in 2024 - with her speed the main question mark on her game. Playing that inside role negates the importance of that, but further building on it will be a key to develop into the future and she is a readymade talent who can impact at the elite level if given the chance.

Standing at 185cm, Caitlin Reid is an imposing player to matchup on for any ruck, and after a number of years dominating the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division for East Coast Eagles, took the chance to test herself in Victoria for Geelong’s VFLW side. While the Cats did not have the best season and Reid ended up playing just the six games, she showed he had the capacity to take her game to the next level. For a player of her size, Reid is naturally very good at her ruck craft, and is more than capable of sharking it out of the ruck and bombing it forward too. But what stands out as a point of difference compared to others, is Reid’s follow-up work and mainly her defensive pressure. She lays a lot of tackles for a ruck, and is not afraid to get her hands dirty at ground level.While Reid is not as adept at winning the ball cleanly at ground level, she will put pressure on the opposition, and though she can improve some elements of her execution such as precision with her kicking, is comfortable extracting the ball from the coalface out to a teammate. A readymade ruck option who can also play forward.

VICTORIA

ARIE SCHOENMAKER

Kiana Lee’s season would have to have had her name put down on a number of AFLW Draft boards, producing a remarkable turnaround from a player who was at times stuck playing in the Development competition in 2023, forcing her way into the League side by the end of that year and playing both of Norwood’s finals. Fast forward 12 months as Lee has a case as one of the MVPs of the year, with opposition coaches actively coming up with plans to try and quell her. Her running capacity, ability to cover the ground and clunk an intercept mark up one end then moments later take a huge grab inside 50 was testament to her work rate. Her marking and kicking are two of her biggest weapons, winning games off her own boot at times and kicking some ridiculous goals such as her three match-winning majors in the preliminary final. While she is not the quickest player, she covers the ground so well, and the fact that she has developed so rapidly this year - often playing as a wing and then a post at either end - means she has to come into considerations.

1.5

THE 2024 AFLW DRAFT CLASS HAS LIVED UP TO ITS HYPE AND REMAINED A SUPER DRAFT. FROM BALL-WINNING MIDFIELDERS TO ATHLETIC TALLS, THIS DRAFT TRULY HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERY CLUB’S NEEDS.

PETER WILLIAMS CHIEF EDITOR @ ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

POWER RANKINGS

OUR FINAL AFLW Draft Power Rankings instalment for 2024 is in, which was by far the most difﬁcult exercise to-date. We would draft more than 80 players in this cohort, which means even cutting it down to 50 is incredibly tricky. There are plenty of unlucky omissions but the aim is to provide fans with an idea of the players to keep in mind.

The list, though extensive, has players that might be off the list that go inside the Top 40, or players inside that range that miss out on draft night due to the depth of the crop and club preferences. Outside the Top 25 or so, the difference between one player and another is so minimal it comes down to individual club recruiters.

Without further adieu, we announce our Top 50 players to watch in the AFLW Draft. You can ﬁnd a link to each of their full draft proﬁles by clicking on their name.

MARQUEE MATCHUP LOU PAINTER vs MOLLY O’HEHIR

IN A stacked draft class ﬁlled with points of difference among similar role players, there is no shortage of players to compare to one another. In our AFLW Draft Guide exclusive Marquee Matchup, we take a look at two top 10 talents from opposite sides of the country in Bendigo Pioneers' Lou Painter and South Fremantle's Molly O'Hehir.

Painter is a Vic Country Under 16s MVP who has long been considered a top prospect in this year’s AFLW Draft despite having her bottom-age season curtailed by a serious ankle injury. A powerful player with an ability to kick on both sides of her body, as well as play inside, forward or down back, she is the ultimate utility.

O’Hehir has been a late developer compared to Painter, showing promising signs early in her career, but lacking the consistency. Over the last two seasons she has built her game to the point where she is one of the most damaging players in the draft class, and far more consistent than two years ago. Her athleticism and competitiveness stand out as key traits.

STRENGTHS

Painter's game is built around her power and strength both at stoppages and inside 50. One-on-one she will rarely be beaten and her clean hands and high-level defensive pressure standout compared to a lot of her peers.

O'Hehir's point of difference in her game is her combination of explosive speed and size, where she can play across multiple positions and compete, while using the ball well by hand or foot. She also prides herself on her competitiveness.

The similarities between the two in regards to their strengths come in their ability to impact both offensively and defensively. Their tackling pressure and harassment of the opposition is what stands out on the football ﬁeld. Additionally, their aerial ability is also similar with both more than capable of clunking some big marks thanks to their size and height respectively.

IMPROVEMENTS

Painter is powerful but does not have the leg speed or explosiveness that O'Hehir has, and her goalkicking can be wayward at times, leaving a lot of chances out there. That is something that will reﬁne with time, and once she gets into an elite environment will only improve those deﬁciency areas.

O'Hehir's competitiveness is a huge advantage, but her desperation at times can lead to giving away free kicks with her ﬁerce intent on the opposition. While her tackling technique is something that can be improved, the other element where Painter has her covered is on her opposite foot, which is still a developing aspect for the West Australian.

VERDICT

The beauty of this year's draft is the fact that both players offer similar versatility and competitiveness, but are completely different players stylistically and athletically. Both are tall with O'Hehir (179cm) marginally shading Painter (174cm), but the pair can match up on taller and smaller opponents.

Athletically, O'Hehir has Painter covered pretty comfortably, and is one of the best all-round athletes in the AFLW Draft crop, while the Vic Country talent is more adept on her opposite side, as well as being one of the draft class' top tacklers.

In our ﬁnal 2024 AFLW Draft Power Rankings, we ranked O’Hehir at ﬁfth and Painter at sixth, showing just how close they are for us. Given the nature of the AFLW National Draft, they could end up anywhere in Australia.

Both players have shown great leadership to captain various sides this year, and both should land somewhere inside the top 10 in the 2024 AFLW Draft. It will be fascinating to see where they do end up, and the kind of impact they have early in their careers.

2024 - QUEENSLAND'S DEEP AFLW DRAFT CROP QUEENSLAND: AFLW DRAFT DEPTH INTO TOP-END TALENT NEXT TWO YEARS

WITH the 2024 AFLW Draft quickly approaching, a new crop of draftees will achieve their dreams. Brisbane Lions has been one of the most successful teams in AFL Women’s history, and the club has been well supported by such a strong development pathway in Queensland. While plenty of stars have come out of the Maroons, there is much to get excited about not just for this year, but next year as well, with the talent as strong as ever.

In our recent 2024 AFLW Draft Power Rankings, Queensland boasted three players inside the Top 30 including the number one pick in Havana Harris, fellow AFLW Academy member Tara Harrington, and draft bolter Mia Salisbury. While this year is set to see no less than seven Queenslanders land on AFLW lists - perhaps more - next year looks to be

Queensland has a number of prospects not just inside the Top 20, but throughout the Top 50. These include the likes of Salisbury, Lilly Baker, Heidi Talbot and Nyalli Milne to join the two AFLW Academy members in Harris and Harrington.

Two players who are right on the mark are Mia Salisbury and Heidi Talbot, while Lions Academy duo Lilly Baker and Isabella McDonough are others on the cusp of that top group. Three of those four players have had injury interrupted seasons at different points.

Salisbury caught the eye last year as a defender, but playing for the Suns Academy what stands out is her composure in pressure situations, and ability to dispose of the ball on the boot. She was one of the best in the Maroons’ win over Vic Country and expect her to be right in the mix for the top 30 in the AFLW Draft. She has proven her worth on a stacked team against quality opposition at the national carnival.

Talbot missed the national championships due to a shoulder injury, but is highly rated internally and it is easy to see why. Her role change to half-back has brought out the best in her game, and she has a rare endurance-speed mix that is valuable in outside runners. She has a crack too which always helps, but is in the second round mix.

Baker and McDonough have had similarly interrupted seasons.Baker, a member of the AFLW Academy endured a delayed start to the year, returning via the AFLW Academy match earlier in the year and has built back into the tempo. With Harris and Georja Davies serving as the two main rucks on the weekend, Baker was able to ease back into it. Her athletic traits and versatility to play just about any role make her a prospect to watch.

McDonough had an injury-interrupted start to the national carnival, but showed glimpses of her talent for the Lions Academy in the Coates Talent League. She can play inside or outside, and even go forward and hit the scoreboard with an

eye-catching penetrative left boot. One player who has a lot of upside, it will just come down to whether or not she has had enough runs on the board, but the Lions themselves will be keeping close tabs on their co-skipper.

Other 2006-born players who have also been in the mix through either All-Star representation or Under 17 Futures selection are the likes of speedster Nyalli Milne and tenacious utility Zimra Hussain. Both produced strong games against Vic Country as a wing and forward respectively, and have developable traits. Defenders Siobhan Ross - who played her role to perfection - and Farrandai Hopkins are also top-agers, while over-age teammate Laura Roy would be one of the top 2005-born prospects available.

In summary, if looking at just the pure 2006-born players - ie. those available for the 2024 AFLW Draft - Queensland would have between ﬁve to six in the Top 40, but three to four of them are just outside the top 30. In saying that, the national carnival is a great way to boost draft stocks, and with QAFLW ﬁnals also on the horizon, clubs will be keen to

QUEENSLAND: AFLW DRAFT DEPTH INTO TOP-END TALENT NEXT TWO YEARS CONT.

2025 - THE YEAR QUEENSLAND TALENT EXPLODES

When it comes to Queensland talent, the Maroons have always had top 10 quality players, and each year the depth has been growing. In 2025 though, the Sunshine State could well have the best three prospects in the AFLW Draft, and potentially four inside the top 10.

There is a long way to go until then, but Ava Usher is universally regarded as the best player, denied a bottom-age season due to a dreaded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but has a near ﬂawless game. She, along with athletic talls Dekota Baron and Davies could well make up the top three spots.

Of course draft preferences and the passage of time over the next 18 months changes plenty, but it is an exciting draft crop

that does not stop there. Utility Alannah Welsh is right up there with the top echelon of players and could be among that top 10 group. Add in Carlton and St Kilda father-daughter prospect Sunny Lappin who has promising traits, and Queensland is going to be a haven of talent in 2025.

In fact there are already nine 2007-born and two 2008-born players on Queensland's national carnival list, making 11 underage players from a squad of 30, and that is without the injured Usher. The 07s all showed promising signs against Vic Country in Annabelle Foat, Aleah Stringer and Bronte Parker, the latter of whom has been very impressive in 2024 in particular, while ruck Monique Corrigan will wait to get her chance for the Maroons.

SUMMARY

Over the course of the two AFLW Drafts in 2024 and 2025, Queensland will likely slot into second overall behind Victoria for players taken. Though in 2024 the depth is what stands out in the Maroons lineupwith a number of mid-draft players to complement the couple of the top-end - 2025 is the year where the top-end talent shines, but with depth to compliment it too.

The quality of the talent pathway has always been strong in the women's space, and over the last few years, the Maroons have remained a contender and will likely rival South Australia on percentage this year to determine who wins the 2024 national championships. The reason they are so competitive as a team is the stretch of talent in numerous age groups, which is poised to translate to draft board domination in the near future.

THE RACE FOR PICK 1:

2024 AFLW DRAFT

COLLINGWOOD holds the coveted top pick in this year's AFL Women's Draft, with 2024 marking the ﬁrst edition that is not only largely uncompromised, but also national. The Magpies will have the choice between picking the standout local Victorian talent, or looking both north and west for some serious speed and X-Factor. We take a look at the three main candidates for Pick 1.

ASH CENTRA

02/06/2006 | 176CM | TALL UTILITY

GIPPSLAND POWER/VIC COUNTRY

One of, if not the best ball user and decision maker that has come through the AFLW Draft. Centra can hit targets in trafﬁc, on the move, even sometimes without looking such is her high level of skill, awareness and footy IQ. The amount of times she dances around opponents to leave them puzzled and still executes with a nonchalant pass that almost always hits its target is mindboggling.

While not possessing the athleticism or speed that the other two players on this list have, Centra ticks just about every other box, and she 'slows time' with her play. Each disposal is calculated, and her aerial ability is sensational, while her hands are as clean as anyone else in the draft. Essentially, taking out speed, Centra is as high in every other category as one could hope, and she naturally has to be the favourite for the selection given she is local - to Gippsland Power - and can play on all three lines.

ZIPPY FISH

04/06/2006 | 160CM | MIDFIELDER EAST FREMANTLE/WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The saying 'Zippy by name, zippy by nature' has been well overused when it comes to the explosive Fish, but it sums her up perfectly. Boasting some elite athletic traits as well as fantastic skills, Fish is a nice combination of Harris and Centra. She is strong in the air for a 160cm player, though the size difference is arguably the main element that has her a slight step below the other two.

Her list of accolades is just as good though, having won the Lou Knitter Medal for best on ground in the WAFLW Grand Final, as well as coming second in the league best and fairest this year. Her run and carry is extraordinary, with her sidestepping and repeat contest work simply sensational. Her highlights package is one of the best you can get, and when she wins it unimpeded out of the centre clearance, runs 30m and launches from 50m to sail home, well there's another saying for that - hook it into my veins.

HAVANA HARRIS

01/07/2006 | 182CM | KEY POSITION UTILITY BOND UNIVERSITY/SUNS ACADEMY/QUEENSLAND

Much like Centra, Harris can play in a multitude of positions, having started as a forward/ruck, and developed more into the modern day ruck/midﬁelder. While standing at 182cm, her strength and explosive speed helps her standout from the rest. She regularly bursts away from stoppages leaving opponents helpless and is pretty much untaggable given her size and athletic traits.

While not having the elite footskills of Centra, Harris has a penetrating kick that travels 50m on a good day, and that combined with a usual 20m run enables her to impact the game with the distance travelled. Harris can hit the scoreboard in whatever role she plays, and as she showed in the win over Vic Country, can kick some pretty impressive goals, including her 45m bomb on the run. Tied to the Gold Coast Suns Academy, it will be a fascinating watch if she opts to go national without the Suns being able to match ala Alyssia Pisano with her prelisting.

AFLW DRAFT BOLTERS 2024

GRACE BELLONI

18/09/2006

CHLOE GAUNT

22/07/2006

GEORGIA KNIGHT

11/10/2006

Grace Belloni ticked a lot of boxes in 2024, developing her midﬁeld craft substantially at a high level to be capable of a 50/50 split between on-ball and forward, or even playing full-time in one role or another. She spent the majority of her football in the middle for the Ranges - still resting forward - while for Vic Metro it was the other way around, showing a great deal of knowledge around the stoppages, but also when inside 50 losing none of her forward craft.

GRACE MARTIN

01/09/2006

163CM UTILITY

WWT

SOUTH

Chloe Gaunt personiﬁes the future of key forwards. Standing at 182cm, the Queensland prospect has a nice balance of contested marking and speed. While her endurance is still a work in progress, her ability to gain separation on the lead is invaluable, and makes it difﬁcult for most opponents - who will need to be close to her height to match her one-on-one - to stick with her.

Georgia Knight is undoubtedly one of the most talented and naturally gifted forwards in the AFLW Draft crop. The two main knocks on her game over the journey have been her endurance and versatility. By improving these areas, Knight has the potential to add more dimensions to her game and round out her overall proﬁle. While she does need to expand her game in the future, she is naturally gifted and is in the mix for the second half of the draft.

Grace Martin is a really well-balanced player who, while not having necessarily elite traits compared to some others, her areas of improvement are also far less impactful to the way she plays than her peers. What some consider the 'ﬂoor' or minimum ability to contribute, Martin's is higher than most given her attitude and attributes she applies each and every time she goes out on the ﬁeld.

AFLW DRAFT BOLTERS 2024

02/05/2006

07/12/2006

27/06/2006

08/06/2006

176CM

TALL DEFENDER

SOUTH ADELAIDE

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Lily Paterson would not have been on any draft boards at the start of the season, but within a few weeks it was evident she had what it took to go to the next level with her football. By the end of the year, Paterson had received an AFLW National Draft Combine invite, and with good reason. Paterson's game is underpinned by her footballing skills and smarts.

Holly Ridewood made her name this season as a consistent performer for Northern Knights and Vic Metro alike. Even when having quieter starts to games, Ridewood would work her way into the contest, running hard to get involved and having big second halves more often than not. Her balance between aerial and ground level work was very impressive and underpins some of the key traits in her game.

Mia Salisbury's move from half-back into the midﬁeld certainly paid dividends for the teenager, with her footy IQ and reading of the play still able to work despite far more congested situations. While her kicking efﬁciency took a hit given the rushed nature of being under immense pressure, Salisbury was able to maintain a high level of stoppage craft.

Esther Schirmer is an interesting AFLW Draft prospect in the fact that she may well be a complete point of difference to others in the draft crop. Her overall proﬁle ticks a lot of boxes for what clubs want in a defender, and while not as ﬂashy as others, is just ultra-reliable and a player that coaches love to turn to in order to nullify an opposition forward.

CLUB-BY-CLUB DRAFT PICKS

ADELAIDE BRISBANE

COLLINGWOOD

ESSENDON

FREMANTLE

GEELONG

GOLD COAST

GWS GIANTS

16, 34, 52, 70 17, 35, 53, 71 5, 23, 41, 59 1, 19, 37, 55 11, 29, 47, 65 13, 31, 49, 67 9, 27, 45, 63 2, 20, 38, 56 3, 21, 39, 57

NORTH MELBOURNE

PORT ADELAIDE

RICHMOND ST KILDA

SYDNEY

WEST COAST

14, 32, 50, 68 10, 28, 46, 64

18, 36, 54, 72 15, 33, 51, 69 12, 30, 48, 66 8, 26, 44, 62 4, 22, 40, 58 6, 24, 42, 60

WESTERN BULLDOGS

7, 25, 43, 61

*AS OF DECEMBER 4, 2024

CARLTON

HAWTHORN MELBOURNE

2024 AFLW DRAFT EXPLAINER: BID MATCHING

ONE of the more complicated elements of the AFL Women's Draft is that of bid matching, which takes a different form to that of the men's draft. While many are familiar with how the men's draft bid matching works - after much explanationthere is still plenty of questions that come in about the women's draft and how club-tied players are bid on, and how they can be matched. In this article, we will explain the process, what it means, and some examples in practice.

OFFICIAL AFLW DRAFT BID MATCHING VIA THE CBA

"Matching a bid by a Club means using a selection in the AFLW Draft which falls within one round of the bid. For example, where a bid falls with the sixth selection of the ﬁrst round (selection 1.06), the matching Club must use their next selection by the sixth selection of the second round (selection 2.06)."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN, EXACTLY?

selection. For example, last year Brisbane had Pick 20 and 21. Sydney bid on Evie Long with Pick 15, and Brisbane matched with its Pick 20. Therefore Brisbane "acquires" the Pick 15, Sydney is moved back to Pick 16 and the draft order continues with the Lions keeping Pick 21.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN 2023 AND 2024?

player. However in 2024, it means all other 17 clubs can now place a bid, therefore forcing the attached club to match at a greater market value.

HOW CAN CLUB-TIED PLAYERS END UP AT OTHER TEAMS?

involves the player and club mutually choosing to nominate the draft prospect in question.

EXAMPLES

Example A: Sydney Swans bid on Sophie McKay with Pick 4

As mentioned above, this previously could not have happened if McKay nominated Victoria. However it is now possible, and for Carlton to bring McKay to Ikon Park, the Blues would need to use Pick 5.

Example B: Western Bulldogs bid on Sophie McKay with Pick 7

For Carlton to match this bid, and providing the Blues had not acquired an earlier draft selection, they would match with their current Pick 23. What would happen then is Carlton essentially move up to Pick 7 and the Western Bulldogs go back to Pick 8 to select again,

SUMMARY

The only main difference is now there is no state option. Every player is automatically nominated for the National AFLW Draft pool.

There are two main ways. The ﬁrst is the simplest explanation - the attached club does not match the bid.

The second is more pre-draft related and Essentially, clubs must be within 18 picks of the bid in order to match a bid on a player. This is the case for both father-daughter prospects,

In the past, the AFL Women's Draft bidding system allowed clubs to take players with their next available selection. Last year they could nominate their state in order to minimise the amount of clubs who could bid on club-attached players. However in 2024 and being a National Draft, any club can bid on a player, increasing fair market value. Those clubs still gain the player for a huge discount - any pick within 18 selectionsbut the days of getting top-end stars for late draft picks looks to be over.

VIC METRO WON ITS FIRST AFL WOMEN’S UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIPS TITLE SINCE 2019, DEFEATING BACK-TO-BACK TITLEHOLDER SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AS WELL AS THE ALLIES AND VIC COUNTRY. IN THIS ARTICLE, WE PROFILE EACH OF THE VIC METRO PLAYERS WHO TOOK THE FIELD AND HOW THEY WENT THROUGH THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

13/02/2006 | |

AFLW U18 CHAMPIONS: VIC METRO

CHARLOTTE BREWER

STATS: 8.0 DISPOSALS, 1.0 MARKS, 1.0 TACKLES, 1.0

The ultra-athletic defender showed some promising signs out of a defence that was not always tested that much. Brewer’s bread and butter is her run and carry, and she was often there mopping up. A two-time premiership player for the Chargers, she added some experience and pace out of the backline, having also represented Casey

STASIA STEVENSON

STATS: 14.0 DISPOSALS, 4.0 MARKS, 1.0 TACKLES, 4.0

After being overlooked for Vic Metro’s Summer hub last year, Stevenson made the most of a strong start to the Coates Talent League Girls season. She locked in a forward role, played two games and set up numerous scoring chances as a high half-forward. An athletic star who put her name in the draft frame with her impressive

SIERRA GRIEVES

STATS: 13.3 DISPOSALS, 2.3 MARKS, 3.3 TACKLES, 3.3 INSIDE 50s, 1.3 GOALS

The hard-running midﬁelder adapted to playing a forward role for Vic Metro to enhance her AFLW Draft chances, bringing defensive pressure and terriﬁc vision in the front half of the ground. Vicino was able to hit the scoreboard with four goals for the carnival, while impacting both in the air and at ground level for her side.

15/11/2007 | | The bottom-age midﬁelder/forward might not be big in stature, but she punches above her weight. The 163cm dynamo has some great class as well as fantastic defensive pressure. Though like many bottom-agers Graham only got the one game for Metro, she brought the heat and was strong under the Marvel Stadium roof against Vic Country.

19/10/2006 | MIDFIELDER/FORWARD

STATS: 7.0 DISPOSALS, 1.0 MARKS, 6.0 TACKLES, 2.0 INSIDE 50S, 1.0 GOALS (ONE GAME)

STATS: 17.5 DISPOSALS, 1.0 MARKS, 3.5 CLEARANCES, 6.5 TACKLES, 1.5 INSIDE 50S, 1.0 REBOUND 50S (TWO GAMES)

While a collarbone injury ended Mahony’s carnival prematurely, she did play the ﬁrst two matches and held her own between midﬁeld and attack. Given the depth and quality across those areas, Mahony was able to play a key role and show her dual-sidedness both inside and outside the contest. Like Vicino and Graham, Mahony adds that hard edge in the front half of the ground.

STATS: 28.3 DISPOSALS, 3.0 MARKS, 6.7 CLEARANCES, 4.0 TACKLES, 4.3 INSIDE 50S, 2.0 REBOUND 50S

18/05/2006 | The Vic Metro overall MVP was sensational throughout the tournament and an obvious choice for the award. She racked up the ball with ease, was dominant around the coalface and then spread to the outside to have an impact there. While already considered a ﬁrst round draft choice, Grieves further enhanced her prospects with a star-studded national carnival.

AFLW U18 CHAMPIONS: VIC METRO

KNIGHT EASTERN RANGES

11/10/2006 | 164CM | FORWARD 07

STATS: 12.0 DISPOSALS, 2.7 MARKS, 1.0 TACKLES, 3.3 INSIDE 50S, 3.0 GOALS

Knight’s outstanding Coates Talent League Girls season form - where she ﬁnished second overall in the goalkicking - translated into her state duties. She slotted a competition-high nine goals in a stacked forwardline, including ﬁve against Vic Country at Marvel Stadium. Her forward craft is outstanding and she has developed her opposite left foot to be just as damaging this year.

LOU-LOU FIELD

WESTERN JETS

18/10/2006 | 167CM | DEFENDER

STATS: 13.7 DISPOSALS, 3. MARKS, 1.0 CLEARANCES, 3.7 TACKLES, 2.7 REBOUND 50S

While having injury interruptions and balancing her Western Jets football with her school commitments, Field played a key role for Vic Metro and reminded everyone what she is capable of. A natural leader with a powerful left foot, Field consistently provides an intercepting force, and well and bringing run and carry to turn defence into offence quickly.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

16/06/2006 167CM | FORWARD

STATS: 6.5 DISPOSALS, 1.0 MARKS, 1.5 INSIDE 50S, 0.5 GOALS (TWO GAMES)

The goalsneak got in for two of Vic Metro’s three games in what was a stacked forward group, kicking a goal and looking lively for her state. While not a high possession winner, she has clean hands and great footy smarts that enable her to hit the scoreboard regularly at Coates Talent League Girls level the past two seasons.

KYLA FORBES

CALDER CANNONS

07/09/2006 | 167CM | DEFENDER 10

STATS: 10.7 DISPOSALS, 2.0 MARKS, 2.7 REBOUND 50S

Having been deployed as a midﬁelder/forward last year, Forbes found her place in defence for Vic Metro, often taking the kickouts and showing off her powerful left peg. She is strong one-on-one and competes at ground level, taking to the new role well and holding her own. Has further improved her versatility in 2024.

MOLLY PATERSON

EASTERN RANGES

11/02/2006 | 169CM DEFENDER 12

STATS: 10.0 DISPOSALS, 2.0 MARKS, 2.0 REBOUND 50S (TWO GAMES)

While primarily a midﬁelder at Eastern Ranges, Paterson slotted into half-back for Vic Metro, working hard to provide some run and carry from defence. She played two of the three games and always puts in 100 per cent as an unselﬁsh team player. Managed to average the 10 disposals, two marks and two rebound 50s from her half-back role.

ZOE HARGREAVES

NORTHERN KNIGHTS

03/06/2006 | 172CM DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER 13

STATS: 16.0 DISPOSALS, 2.3 MARKS, 2.7 CLEARANCES, 3.0 TACKLES, 2.3 INSIDE 50S, 1.3 REBOUND 50S

The Northern Knights jet started as a half-back in game one against the Allies, but returned to the midﬁeld against Vic Country at Marvel Stadium. There she dominated, producing a memorable outing to remind everyone what she is capable of. Does everything, but her power and work through a contest stand out, as does her aerial ability given her size.

SOPHIE MCKAY

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

27/04/2006 168CM | MIDFIELDER/FORWARD 14

STATS: 23.7 DISPOSALS, 2.7 MARKS, 4.3 CLEARANCES, 1.3 TACKLES, 5.3 INSIDE 50S, 0.7 GOALS

The Carlton father-daughter prospect had a brilliant national carnival, providing a hard edge in midﬁeld then going forward and kicking a couple of goals. Her offensive work including her explosive speed from the stoppage, as well as her clearance ability really shone. In an impressively balanced midifeld, McKay’s forward running caused the opposition plenty of headaches.

SARAH POUSTIE

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

05/01/2006 170CM | MIDFIELDER/WING 15

STATS: 19.7 DISPOSALS, 3.0 MARKS, 2.3 CLEARANCES, 2.7 TACKLES, 2.3 INSIDE 50S, 1.3 REBOUND 50S

Poustie never seems to play a bad game, and her consistency continued for the ‘Big V’. She averaged almost 20 touches per game and balanced her time between the inside and outside. Her defensive pressure and ball-winning abilities - while being accountable for an opponentare very good, and she will always crack in for 100 per cent regardless of the level, opposition or state of the game.

AFLW U18 CHAMPIONS: VIC METRO 2024

SCOUT HOWDEN

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

17/02/2006 174CM | DEFENDER

STATS: 16.0 DISPOSALS, 3.0 MARKS, 1.5 CLEARANCES, 3.0 TACKLES, 3.0 REBOUND 50S (TWO GAMES)

The Sandringham Dragons co-captain was unluckily left out of Vic Metro’s ﬁrst game against the Allies, but returned to face off against Vic Country and then step up for the crunch game against South Australia. She largely stepped back to defence where she was able to use her aerial ability well and provide copius amounts of run and carry down the ﬁeld.

HOLLY RIDEWOOD

27/12/2006 174CM | WING 17

NORTHERN KNIGHTS

STATS: 14.0 DISPOSALS, 2.7 MARKS, 1.3 CLEARANCES, 4.3 TACKLES, 3.0 INSIDE 50S

Another player who was initially left out of Vic Metro’s squad over the Summer, Ridewood’s Coates Talent League Girls season form made her impossible to deny. A hard-running winger and captain of the Northern Knights, Ridewood’s defensive pressure for an outside player is elite, and she can also play inside or off ﬂanks at either end of the ground. A nice size too for a utility.

CHLOE BOWN

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

20/12/2007 | 174CM MIDFIELDER/FORWARD 19

STATS: 19.0 DISPOSALS, 6.0 MARKS, 2.0 TACKLES, 4.0 INSIDE 50S, 1.0 GOALS (ONE GAME)

The bottom-age midﬁelder-forward had a jaw-dropping ﬁrst game against the Allies where she was one of the best on ground outside the three tall forwards. Bursting from the stoppage or clunking some strong marks, Bown threw her hat in the ring as one of the top Victorian prospects for next year, and had she not been a bottom-ager with the rotational policy, would have played the entire carnival.

GRACE BELLONI

EASTERN RANGES

09/09/2006 | 175CM | FORWARD/MIDFIELDER 21

STATS: 11.3 DISPOSALS, 4.7 MARKS, 2.0 TACKLES, 4.0 INSIDE 50S, 2.3 GOALS

What a season it has been for Belloni who did not put a foot wrong. She booted seven goals across the carnivalincluding four in game one against the Allies - to earn

All-Australian honours. Capable of being both a tall marking forward or inside midﬁelder, Belloni’s stat-stuffing season put her in ﬁrst round calculations.

GRACE BABA

EASTERN RANGES

17/09/2006 | 177CM | DEFENDER 22

STATS: 6.0 DISPOSALS, 2.0 INSIDE 50S, 1.0 REBOUND 50S (ONE GAME)

Injury meant the AFLW Academy member was limited to just the last game against South Australia, but Baba got to be involved in the celebrations. While not having a huge carnival, her limited preparation and Vic Metro’s performance in the win over the Croweaters meant there was less for the athletic defender to do.

EVIE PARKER

EASTERN RANGES

06/07/2006 179CM | WING 23

STATS: 9.3 DISPOSALS, 1.7 MARKS, 2.3 TACKLES, 1.0 INSIDE 50S

Parker was able to use her work throughout the Coates Talent League Girls season in midﬁeld to step up and play the same wing role for Vic Metro. Not a massive accumulator, she held her line well, worked hard both ways and provided great speed on transition when required. Earned a State Draft Combine invite as well.

JADE MCLAY

CALDER CANNONS

01/02/2007 | 177CM | RUCK 24

STATS: 11.0 DISPOSALS, 1.0 MARKS, 8.0 HITOUTS, 2.0 CLEARANCES, 1.0 TACKLE, 1.0 INSIDE 50S, 1.0 REBOUND 50S (ONE GAME)

The bottom-ager got a taste for AFLW Under 18s action, stepping in as a second ruck and then working hard across the ground. She will largely play as a big-bodied midﬁelder going forward, but has also played as a tall marking option up either end as well, something that places her in good stead for the future.

DAISY FLOCKART

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

23/02/2006 | 179CM | DEFENDER 25

STATS: 5.3 DISPOSALS, 1.3 MARKS, 1.7 TACKLES, 1.3 REBOUND 50S

Despite playing as a midﬁelder-forward for the Dragons, Flockart found herself in a very different role behind the ball. While not winning that much of it, her size and athleticism enabled her to show AFLW clubs that she can adapt her traits to any position, and was able to play all three games because of the role change.

EMMA MCDONALD

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

18/04/2006 180CM | FORWARD 26

STATS: 8.7 DISPOSALS, 3.3 MARKS, 1.3 TACKLES, 1.7 GOALS

Emerging as a huge threat to the leading goalkicker award with four snags in game one, McDonald was quieter after that but still booted ﬁve for the carnival and provided a marking presence inside 50. Her hands and mobility stood out for a tall, and she is a lovely ball user going inside 50, often setting up teammates and getting her hands dirty at ground level as well.

AFLW U18 CHAMPIONS: VIC METRO 2024

JOSEPHINE BAMFORD

EASTERN RANGES

03/06/2007 181CM RUCK

STATS: 11.3 DISPOSALS, 1.7 MARKS, 16.3 HITOUTS, 1.7 CLEARANCES, 2.7 TACKLES, 2.0 INSIDE 50S

Despite being a bottom-ager, Bamford broke the trend of being rotated by playing all three games for Vic Metro. She was one of the most impressive rucks across the carnival and has some terriﬁc upside for next year. She held her own against more experienced players and averaged double-digit disposals and hitouts for the national championships.

SIENNA TALLARITI

10/07/2006 | 169CM | DEFENDER 18

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS - CO-CAPTAIN

ISOBELLA HISHONGWA-GIBB

NORTHERN KNIGHTS

27/07/2007 | 181CM | RUCK

STATS: 2.0 DISPOSALS, 22.0 HITOUTS (TWO GAMES)

Another bottom-ager who held her own against experienced opponetns, Hishongwa-Gibb played the two games and showed her ruck craft at the stoppage. While not winning much of it outside that, she let her midﬁelders do the work as she gave them ﬁrst look at the pill.

ZARA NEUWIRTH

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

STATS: 4.0

A bottom-age lockdown key defender with great athleticism, Neuwirth is not a high production player, but can do a role in defence. She is usually far taller than her opponent with a great reach, and she will keep a forward quiet with her speed off the mark and dedication to her craft.

STATS: 11.3 DISPOSALS, 1.3 MARKS, 1.0 TACKLES, 5.7 REBOUND 50S

It has been an incredible two years for Tallariti who seems to ﬁnd success wherever she goes. Co-captaining Vic Metro, the victory marked her third title between Oakleigh and the ‘Big V’ from four attempts, and she provided a fantastically calm presence in the back 50, with constant rebound and leadership both through her actions and voice.

GEORGIE BRISBANE

13/12/2006 | 175CM FORWARD 20

EASTERN RANGES - CO-CAPTAIN

STATS: 11.0 DISPOSALS, 4.0 MARKS, 2.0 TACKLES, 1.0 INSIDE 50S, 2.3 GOALS

Eastern’s skipper earned the co-captaincy alongside Tallariti and produced an otustanding first game against the Allies where she slotted five goals in a brilliant performance. She would finish with seven for the carnival, but was always working hard up the ground making life difficult for her opponents. Finished her year off strong.

AFLW U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS MVPs 2024

ALLIES

QUEENSLAND

ISLA WIENCKE

Wiencke can play both as that strong inside midﬁelder, or go forward and provide a target, with strong hands both above her head and at ground level. She has a booming kick that will clear any danger, and can burst from a stoppage with great power. If she can round out her game further in 2025, she will become even more damaging, but looms as the Giants' top prospect for next year.

GEORJA DAVIES

One of the top prospects for next year, Davies had a national carnival to remember. The key position player has rare athleticism with a massive vertical leap, also gaining vital experience through the QAFLW. Incredibly, Davies has not just played as a ruck, or even a resting forward, but a midﬁelder as well, and has an incredible sidestep for anyone. Enormous upside and ready to go now too.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SARA HOWLEY

Howley is a natural accumulator who can have some massive stat-stufﬁng performances. The reigning Rookie Me Central Medallist and Coates Talent League Girls League Best and Fairest, Howley continued where she left off last season. Her offensive running and ability to rack up multiple possessions in a chain has always been a key, but she showed her could be a strong ﬁrst-possession winner. Was arguably best on in each of Country's three games.

SIERRA GRIEVES

ESTHER SCHIRMER

Often playing an unheralded role in defence for both South Adelaide and South Australia, Schirmer really upped her offensive game in 2024. The defender takes on big jobs and has nice closing speed on the lead as well as a good leap. Her ﬁrst two games in the national carnival were eye-catching, and was named at full-back in the All-Australian team.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The consistent onballer has hardly ever played a bad game, and continues to rack up the ball with ease. Her clearance work is what underpins her game, but the defensive pressure she applies when not in possession is outstanding. Of all the top midﬁelders, she has the best defensive running and works incredibly hard to ﬁnd the ball all around the ground.

EVIE COWCHER

The only state MVP to go back-to-back, it is incredible to think the Peel Thunder defender is still not eligible for the AFLW Draft until next year. Starting the midﬁeld for this year's carnival, Cowcher eventually rolled back into defence, spending a whole third game in the back 50. Strong overhead and reading the play like a book, Cowcher is best utilised as an intercepting third tall defender. Competitive and always keen to clear the danger, the West Australian has a booming, accurate kick.

VIC METRO

ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM 2024

VIC Metro has dominated the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 All-Australian team that was released by the AFL. The 23-player squad features seven Metro players, three more than any other state after the side was victorious in winning its ﬁrst national title since 2019.

DEFENDERS

BACK POCKET

MACKENZIE WILLIAMS

ALLIES | 26/06/2006 171CM

A reliable intercepting force out of the back 50, Williams played a key role for the Allies in what was her third straight national Under 18s carnival. Possessing a penetrating kick and great footy smarts to read the ball in ﬂight, Williams was a consistent performer to average 21 disposals and eight rebound 50s.

FULL-BACK

ESTHER SCHIRMER

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 08/06/2006 | 177CM

A breakout carnival that capped off a brilliant top-age year, Schirmer was a rock for the Croweaters, particularly through the ﬁrst two matches. She earned MVP honours for her state, and is able to provide some dare and dash out of defence to compliment her outstanding defensive capabilities. One who has really put her name in AFLW Draft calculations this year.

BACK POCKET

MILLIE LANG

VIC COUNTRY | 06/11/2006 177CM

Though Lang missed the all-Victorian clash at Marvel Stadium due to injury, she was her reliable self in the other two contests against Queensland and Western Australia. Strong one-on-one and capable of both defending and intercepting, Lang found her fair share of the ball by averaging 16 disposals per match across the course of the carnival.

HALF-BACK FLANK

EVIE COWCHER

WESTERN AUSTRALIA | 03/08/2007 | 173CM

What a junior career the West Australian is forging. Still a bottom-ager, Cowcher won her second successive MVP and All-Australian jumper with an enormous effort between midﬁeld and defence. She was named at half-back in the All-Australian team, with that role being her best position where she can intercept and drive the ball to safety.

CENTRE HALF-BACK

SIENNA TALLARITI

VIC METRO | 10/07/2006 | 169CM

One of the most consistent and reliable players in the country, Tallariti hardly ever plays a bad game. She is so smart in the air, uses the footy incredibly well, and provides excellent composure behind the ball. Tallariti is a big game player, having won back-to-back best on grounds in Oakleigh’s two ﬂags, and she was a standout for Vic Metro across all three games.

HALF-BACK FLANK

GRACE MARTIN

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 01/06/2006 | 164CM

A real draft bolter for 2024, Martin improved on her deﬁciencies over the off-season to add more speed to her well-rounded football smarts. She is clean at ground level, as tough as they come, and uses the ball well with thought out execution and decisive decision making. Has played on all three lines this year as well which helps her case.

MIDFIELDERS

ZIPPY FISH

WESTERN AUSTRALIA | 04/06/2006 160CM WING

One of the most electric talents in this year’s AFLW Draft, Fish was able to provide plenty of run and carry through the midﬁeld for the Sandgropers and got better as each game went on. She is a top ﬁve player on talent and has a great balance of athleticism and football skills with explosive speed underpinning her game.

GEORJA DAVIES

QUEENSLAND | 17/01/2007 | 183CM RUCK

The fourth Davies sister in line to reach the AFLW, Georja is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Giselle, Fleur and Darcie. Earning All-Australian and MVP honours in her bottom-age national carnival, Davies can play as a ruck or midﬁelder - as well as key position player up either end, making her a unique prospect.

SARA HOWLEY

VIC COUNTRY | 29/01/2006 | 173CM CENTRE

One of the most incredible carnivals only bested by Grieves’ massive performances, Howley looked best on in each game she played for her state. Racking up an averaged of 28 disposals per game, she dug deep to have a huge impact around the contest while running at a 77 per cent disposal efﬁciency. Another player with outstanding speed and production.

QUEENSLAND | 01/07/2006 | 181CM RUCK ROVER HAVANA HARRIS

The potential top pick in this year’s AFLW Draft, Harris came off an MVP-winning carnival last year, and had a similarly impressive three games this year. Though not winning the MVP in her top-age campaign, Harris looked a class above through the ruck and midﬁeld rotation, while also being able to bring others into the game with her run.

SARAH POUSTIE

VIC METRO | 05/01/2006 | 170CM WING

A well balanced midfielder who can play inside or outside, Poustie consistently finds the ball and uses it well. A massive tackler too, Poustie brings 100 per cent effort to each match she plays, with an elite endurance base that enables her to run all day and influence games both defensively and offensively for four quarters.

SIERRA GRIEVES

VIC METRO 18/06/2006 | 164CM ROVER

The 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships MVP did not put a foot wrong all carnival, translating her Coates Talent League Girls form with the Western Jets to produce big for Vic Metro. She racked up a remarkable 28.3 disposals and 6.7 clearances across the course of the championships, and was a well-deserving MVP winner for the champions.

U18S 20 24

ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM

ALL-AUSTRALIAN

FORWARDS

HALF-FORWARD FLANK INDIA RASHEED

SOUTH AUSTRALIA | 29/11/2006 | 172CM

Last year’s South Australian MVP won back-to-back All-Australians with a nice balance between midﬁeld and attack. Despite battling some injury issues, Rasheed produced a carnival with averages of 22.3 disposals, 4.3 marks and a goal, showcasing her damaging left foot, classy ball use and overall footy IQ to be a key player for the Croweaters.

VIC METRO 09/09/2006 | 175CM CENTRE HALF-FORWARD GRACE BELLONI

Another player who had a remarkable top-age season, Belloni went back to her bottom-age roots as a tall forward, having spent her Coates Talent League Girls season through the midfield. She kicked four goals in a starring performance first up against the Allies, and finished with seven for the carnival at an average of 18.3 disposals and 4.7 marks. A definite draft bolter who should be among most clubs top 30s.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK ASH CENTRA

VIC COUNTRY 02/06/2006 174CM

Another pick one contender who lived up to the hype, Centra spent time between midﬁeld and attack, booting six goals from 11 touches and six marks throughout the championships. As skilled as any player to come through the pathway, Centra makes good decisions and is so composed with ball in hand, making her impact per possession at a maximum level.

FORWARD POCKET

ELOISE MACKERETH

SOUTH AUSTRALIA | 27/07/2007 174CM

A prestigious talent for next year, Mackereth is so strong overhead and a reliable set shot for goal, impressing in her ﬁrst Under 18s carnival. The Glenelg prospect starred at Under 16s level as a wing/forward, but having spent the SANFLW season as the latter, continued that at the national championships where she kicked six goals from 11 touches and six marks.

FULL-FORWARD

EMMA MCDONALD

VIC METRO | 18/04/2006 | 180CM

A genuine Top 10 prospect and arguably the best pure key forward in the draft, McDonald boast s fantastic hands and a reliable kick that enables her to both hit the scoreboard and set up teammates. Her groundlevel work is also very good, and she was able to inﬂuence both on the scoreboard with ﬁve goals - including four against the Allies - and working up the ground.

VIC METRO | 11/10/2006 164CM FORWARD POCKET GEORGIA KNIGHT

Booting more goals than any other player at the national carnival, Knight ﬁnished the three games with nine majors, including ﬁve against Vic Metro at Marvel Stadium. Such a natural forward with fantastic smarts, Knight is a consistent scoreboard contributor, and was able to slot in perfectly for the ‘Big V’ throughout the three games.

2024 ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM

MIDFIELDER

PRIYA BOWERING

ALLIES | 02/01/2007 | 167CM

The sole bottom-age Allies player in the team, Bowering provided a consistent ball-winning approach to her side and followed on from a starring Under 16s carnival last year. The Tasmanian is a groundball winning star and she was able to match it with the star-studded Vic Metro midﬁeld in a loss and is a name to remember for 2025.

MIDFIELDER

SOPHIE MCKAY

VIC METRO | 27/04/2006 | 168CM

Eligible to go to Carlton under the father-daughter rule, McKay rotated between midﬁeld and forward, and is one of the best offensive players in this year’s AFLW Draft. McKay averaged 23.7 disposals and 4.3 clearances, and was a key player through the Vic Metro lineup. Hopes to join sister Abbie at AFLW with the Navy Blues.

ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM

Mackenzie WILLIAMS Esther SCHIRMER Millie LANG ALLIES SOUTH AUSTRALIA VIC COUNTRY

Evie COWCHER Sienna TALLARITI Grace MARTIN WESTERN AUSTRALIA VIC METRO SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MIDFIELDER

LOU PAINTER

VIC COUNTRY| 23/02/2006 174CM

After missing her bottom-age carnival due to injury, the Under 16s Vic Country MVP showed plenty of the attributes that have her as a likely Top 10 selection in this year’s AFLW Draft. Painter is strong, can play on all three lines and has a penetrating kick that impacts games consistently, and she did just that for Vic Country, largely playing through the midﬁeld.

MIDFIELDER

MIA SALISBURY

QUEENSLAND 27/06/2006 168CM

After playing in defence for the Maroons last year, Salisbury took a full-time midﬁeld gig in the face of injuries with both hands. She was able to remain composed with ball in hand, and averaged 20 disposals and almost four clearances per game. A nice balaned midﬁelder who can win inside and outside ball, Salisbury was a quiet achiever who has comfortable Top 30 claims.

OLIVIA WOLMARANS

WESTERN AUSTRALIA | 02/09/2007 | 180CM FORWARD

A star bottom-ager to keep an eye on for next year, Wolmarans made the most of limited chances up forward, and was Western Australia’s most damaging forward. She spent time further aﬁeld and averaged 14 disposals and four marks across the carnival, coming off a strong Under 16s effort 12 months earlier where she also had a taste at Under 18s level.

Zippy FISH Sara HOWLEY Sarah POUSTIE WESTERN AUSTRALIA VIC COUNTRY VIC METRO

India RASHEED Grace BELLONI Ash CENTRA SOUTH AUSTRALIA VIC METRO VIC COUNTRY

Eloise MACKERETH Emma MCDONALD Georgia KNIGHT SOUTH AUSTRALIA VIC METRO VIC METRO

Georja DAVIES Havana HARRIS Sierra GRIEVES QUEENSLAND QUEENSLAND VIC METRO (C)

Priya BOWERING Sophie MCKAY Lou PAINTER ALLIES VIC METRO VIC COUNTRY

Mia SALISBURY Olivia WOLMARANS QUEENSLAND WESTERN AUSTRALIA

METRO CROWNED CHAMPS

METRO PRODUCE

EYE-CATCHING WIN OVER CROWEATERS

VIC METRO has snapped South Australia's stranglehold on the AFL Women's Under 18s titles, winning the state's ﬁrst trophy since 2019. The Croweaters had won back-to-back ﬂags in 2022 and 2023, but Metro proved the better side at RSEA Park securing a 21-point victory, 9.4 (58) to 5.7 (37).

Vic Metro started in a blaze of glory, booting the ﬁrst three goals of the game in 14 minutes before South Australia had even registered a score. Emma McDonald, Georgia Knight and Stasia Stevenson all converted majors to get the home crowd up and about, before the visitors - who had more inside 50s in the opening term - kicked a couple of late behinds to make it a 16-point deﬁcit at the main break.

Incredibly, South Australia did not get within 14 points of Metro after that, with Grace Belloni adding her name to the scorers list in the second term. It took until an Asha Dufour running goal to get SA on the board, but that was immediately countered by Knight's second goal from straight out of the middle on the edge of half-time.

Despite Metro leading 5.0 to 1.4 at the main break, credit had to go to the defenders, in particular Lou-Lou Field and Sienna Tallariti with the former having 11 disposals and five marks in the first quarter alone. The best on in the first half, and across all the four quarters was Sierra Grieves though who amassed 15 disposals to the main break.

For the Croweaters, it was India Rasheed and Laela Ebert who were holding their own around the stoppages, while the defensive work of Esther Schirmer to shutdown the incredibly dangerous Georgie Brisbane was a huge credit to her as well.

Despite kicking the first through Georgia McKee just over a minute into the second half, Metro would kick the last two goals of the quarter and only extend the lead, going out to 27 points with a quarter to play. It was fitting that Grieves got her name on the goalkickers list via a 45m finish, and then Abbey Vicino all but sealed the result with a classy running goal.

South Australia's hopes of an unlikely comeback were dashed when Sophie McKay - who played forward in the last quarter - iced the game early. The Croweaters would respond through

bottom-age talents Sophie Eaton and Monique Bessen, but another immediate response from Knight as had been the case on the edge of half-time put any thought of a comeback to bed.

Charlotte Riggs would add another major to the South Australian's ﬁnal total, but it was a mere consolation major as Vic Metro would come away with the ultra-impressive 21-point win. The Croweaters outscored Metro by a goal in the last term, but the better - and crucially more accurate - team on the day had won.

Without a doubt Grieves was best on ground, racking up a match high 28 disposals and eight clearances - 13 and six respectively came in the second half - as well as ﬁve marks, four inside 50s, ﬁve rebound 50s and a goal. She also earned MVP honours for her state after a wonderful carnival.

Belloni and Sarah Poustie were rock solid through midﬁeld with the former also spending time inside 50, while Field and Tallariti were strong behind the ball.

For South Australia, once Grace Martin moved into the middle, the Eagles youngster put a two-disposal ﬁrst half behind her to rack up 18 touches in the second half - the most on the ground - to ﬁnish with 20, as well as three marks, two tackles, two clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

Ebert was her state's best with 25 disposals, ﬁve clearances, ﬁve tackles and four inside 50s, while Rasheed, Dufour and bottom-age inclusion Imogen Trengove were also very good. Schirmer did a huge job in defence, while Lucy Boyd quelled McDonald's usual aerial dominance.

G. Knight 3, G. Belloni, S. Grieves, E. McDonald, S. McKay, S. Stevenson, A. Vicino

S. Grieves, L. Field, S. Poustie, S. Tallariti, G. Belloni

DEF

AFLW U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

A. Patton, E. Stark

A. Dufour, G. McKee, S. Eaton, M. Bessen

S B E S T

L. Ebert, E. Schirmer, I. Rasheed, I. Trengove, A. Dufour

A. Centra 2, S. Hobbs 2, S. Howley, L. Painter, E. Stoddart, E. Symonds, S. White, O. Wolter

S. Howley, A. Gregor, L. Painter, M. Morrissy, E. Symonds, J. Douglas

A. Blizard 3, O. Wolmarans 2

S. Banks, N. Entwistle, N. McNaughton, O. Wolmarans, A. Blizard, K. Newson

E. Mackereth 4, G. McKee 3, K. O’Neill 3, S. Archbold

P. Bowering, E. Hall, E. Juneja, M. Barwin, I. Brown, I. Wiencke

G. Brisbane 5, G. Belloni 4, E. McDonald 4, C. Bown, S. Greaves, G. Knight, S. Poustie

G. Belloni, G. Brisbane, S. Grieves, E. McDonald, S. McKay, S. Poustie

A. Welsh 2, D. Baron, H. Harris, L. Hung, Z. Hussain, S. Lappin

K. Dalgleish 2, Z. Besanko, O. Wolter

M. Antony, C. Riggs, E. Mackereth, S. Eaton, L. Ebert

L. Greenwood 3, O. Wolmarans 2, A. Blizard, A. Fotu

O. Wolmarans, E. Cowcher, N. Entwistle, T. Chambers, L. Greenwood, L. Paterson

G. Knight 5, A. Vicino 3, G. Belloni 2, G. Brisbane 2, A. Gladman, M Graham, S. McKay

G. Knight, S. Grieves, M. Mahony, Z. Hargreaves, A. Vicino, H. Ridewood

A. Centra 2, C. Mahony 2, S. White 2, S. Howley, S. Huxtable, M. Morrissey

S. Howley, A. Centra, S. Pearce, S. White, C. Mahony, E. Stoddart

G. Davies, M. Salisbury, K. Hides, D. Baron, H. Harris, S. Ross

S. Howley, J. Douglas, L. Painter, J. Reynolds, S. Pearce, S. Huxtable

N. Milne, K. Hides, R. Baviello, M. Salisbury, S. Ross, A. Ella M. Quinn, T. Perry, I. Wiencke, E. Veerhuis, T. Smith, T. White A. Read 2, P. Bowering, E. Juneja, A. Prosser-Shaw, E. Stark, L. Thompson, I. Wiencke

G. McKee 3, K. O’Neill 3, I. Rasheed 3, E. Mackereth, R. Ballard, J. Evans, E. Kilpatrick, C. Riggs

I. Rasheed, K. O’Neill, E. Schirmer, J. Evans, E. Mackereth, G. Martin

E. Veerhuis, M. Carlton, I. Wiencke, M. Barwin, E. Juneja, A. Prosser-Shaw M. Barwin, A. Read, E. Stark

Baron 2, A. Welsh 2, A. Ella, M. Geere, S. Lappin

N. Ryan, A. Foat, M. Geere

TEAM

TEAM OF THE YEAR

TALENT LEAGUE ROOKIE ME CENTRAL OF TEAM YEAR THE

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL TALENT LEAGUE

2024 TEAM OF THE YEAR

ROOKIE Me Central’s 2024 Talent League Girls Team of the Year was conﬁrmed at the conclusion of the season.

The 24 players selected – as well as three emergencies –have been locked in with the top three sides combining for nine of those representatives.

BACKS

SIENNA TALLARITI

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

The Oakleigh skipper has enjoyed another wonderful year in defence, being consistent as always and despite being in a team that has less pressure on its defensive 50 compared to others, still ﬁnds a way to get involved. Her ability to hold a high line, intercept and use the ball well both in execution and decision making really stands out.

ALEX MCBRIDE-LOANE

WESTERN

JETS

While the ofﬁcial Coates Talent League Team of the Year includes form from the national champions, the Rookie Me Central Team of the Year focuses on purely Talent League performances. Based around our Team of the Weeks each round, the 24-player squad features 12 of the 13 full-time clubs.

The top three sides on the ladder in Oakleigh Chargers, Tasmania Devils and Eastern Ranges all picked up three representatives in the side, with six other regions recording two players, A further three had a singular representative, while Calder Cannons was the sole team without one.

Settling down into the Jets’ defensive 50 and using her aerial prowess to full advantage, McBride-Loane was a regular as a key post in the back 50, clunking some big grabs then rolling into the ruck. Despite being undersized against many rucks, McBride-Loane’s vertical leap allows her to win her fair share of hitouts, and she earned her place in our team.

ELLA STODDART

GIPPSLAND POWER

Stoddart was one of 14 players with seven Team of the Week nominations or more, having played in a variety of roles. Though a natural defender, Stoddart spent considerable time up forward in the second half of the season, and even through the middle, boasting a booming left boot and good strength one-on-one.

HALF-BACKS CENTRES

HOLLY EGAN

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS

Kicking off the line of captains, Murray’s skipper has enjoyed a reliable year in the back 50, providing plenty of rebound out of the back 50. Often under siege in the Bushrangers’ backline, Egan has a nice vertical leap and great evasion techniques that allow her to create her own space and drive the ball forward. Egan also spent time through the middle.

MILLIE LANG

GWV REBELS

Lang had some injury interruptions in the back half of the year, but was almost a lock throughout the first half of the season in our key defensive posts. She earned her place in our side with another booming left footer and player who can compete well in the air. Was a shining light for the Rebels, also getting a taste of midfield action and even venturing forward to kick her first career goal.

LOU PAINTER

BENDIGO

PIONEERS

The Pioneers’ co-captain can play on all three lines, so due to the strength of the midﬁeld, Painter’s versatility sees her move to half-back in the hypothetical team. She had eight Team of the Week nominations and is as powerful as they come, with some match-winning abilities.

SARAH POUSTIE

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS (CO-CAPTAIN)

Poustie received an equal league-high 11 Team of the Week nominations. Never playing a bad game, few have the consistency that Poustie had through the year as she developed from a hard-running winger into a pure onballer. Like Painter, the strength of the midﬁeld, and the versatility of the Chargers top-ager sees her out on a wing.

SARA HOWLEY

GEELONG FALCONS

Last year’s league best and fairest and Rookie Me Central Medallist ﬁnds herself in a familiar position, named in the centre of the Team of the Year. Often bringing her own ball to the games, Howley has no trouble ﬁnding the pill, and her ability to cover the ground and win the ball multiple times in the one play is paramount to her game. A high metres-gained player.

SCOUT HOWDEN SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

A specialist winger, Howden can run all day and worked hard back into the defensive 50 for the Dragons. Good overhead and able to kick the ball long, Howden covers the ground well and can compete with most other players. Her work rate and consistency lead her to being one of the regular wingers in our sides.

2024 RMC TALENT LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR

HALF-FORWARDS

JEMMA REYNOLDS

DANDENONG STINGRAYS

(CO-CAPTAIN)

Reynolds cemented her place in the Stingrays’ midfield this year, but still got her chances up forward. That versatility earned her a place on the flank, and she will undoubtedly have an influence be it inside 50 or on-ball. Her clean hands at ground level and ability to burst from a stoppage are among her strengths.

ASH CENTRA

GIPPSLAND POWER

Centra had a few setbacks throughout the season including illness, injury and even being heavily tagged one match, but her class throughout the year shone through. Boasting some massive games with 30-plus or even 40-plus disposals as well as multiple goals, Centra is a clean user and elite in her decision making and execution.

ZOE HARGREAVES

NORTHERN KNIGHTS

She played on all three lines throughout the course of the season, but is a natural midfielder-forward, and the latter is where she finds herself in the Team of the Year. Hargreaves was among a host of Knights who had consistent seasons to guide Northern to another finals series, but she ended up being named in eight Team of the Weeks to solidify her spot.

FORWARDS

GRACE BELLONI

EASTERN RANGES

What a top-age season Belloni had in 2024, moving from a forward who pinch-hit in the midﬁeld to the other way around. Her form at the

national carnival inside 50 was outstanding, and backed up her Coates Talent League form. A really consistent player who could win the ball in all manner of ways, Belloni was one of a host of Eastern Ranges who really stood up this year.

AVA READ

TASMANIA DEVILS

Winning the league goalkicking, Read was the easy choice for the full-forward spot, booting 25 goals in 12 games at better than two per match. Only once did Read not hit the scoreboard, with two or more goals in nine of her 12 games. It followed on from 20 goals from 14 games in 2023.

MISCHA BARWIN

TASMANIA DEVILS

Read’s teammate who is often around her feet or more accurately working to create her own space, Barwin had a big ﬁrst season at the Devils. The bottom-ager provides pressure, but also wins her own ball which makes her a well-balanced forward. She has footy IQ, leads into the right spots and is a natural distributor going inside 50 too. Can play midﬁeld as well.

RUCKS

HAYLEY PECK

GEELONG FALCONS

No player came close to the amount of hitouts Peck had, with 367 for the season at an average of 28.2 per match. A full 100 more than her nearest rival, the Geelong Falcons over-ager did her draft chances – and future draft chances – no harm. She is a strong contested mark and not afraid to get her hands dirty at ground level as well.

TAYLA MCMILLAN

EASTERN RANGES

Another player who notched up eight Team of the Week nominations, McMillan had a wonderfuL

bottom-age year to best set her up for 2025. As clean as they come and incredibly tough, McMillan uses the ball well and is able to hit target through lowering the eyes going forward. Having the rare ability to ﬁnd teammates while at speed makes her a well-rounded prospect.

SIERRA GRIEVES

WESTERN JETS (VICE-CAPTAIN)

Vic Metro’s MVP also had a ridiculous Coates Talent League Girls season, and earned the vice-captaincy in our Team of the Year. Grieves had 10 Team of the Week nominations and was a shining light the entire year for the Jets. A clearance specialist, Grieves also worked on her outside game to impact consistently with her run and carry, and ability to get forward and hit the scoreboard too.

INTERCHANGE

PRIYA BOWERING TASMANIA DEVILS

A constant clearance player around the ball, then went forward and could kick goals as well, Bowering’s year was highlighted by a remarkable 47-disposal game. She was everywhere and won the ball at will, which is different to her usual 20-25 disposals, the bulk of which are either clearances or effective handballs to free teammates. One of the top talents for next year.

CHLOE BOWN

OAKLEIGH

CHARGERS

Bown followed up her double bottom-age season with a magniﬁcent bottom-age campaign, stepping up for Oakleigh both up forward and through the midﬁeld. A powerful kick, the tall talent uses her frame both in the air and at ground level to make an impact. Explosive and strong make for an exciting combination.

KAYLA DALGLEISH

DANDENONG STINGRAYS

The second Stingray in the side, Dalgleish adds that forward pressure and flair to the team. Recording five Team of the Week nominations, the forward-midfielder had some big games with bags of goals, or rolling through the midfield and setting up her teammates. An elite athlete with great footy smarts to-boot. One with plenty of upside for the future.

ISABELLA DAVIES

GWV

REBELS

Deserving of a place in the side off her work rate and consistency throughout the year, Davies always puts in 100 per cent effort. A player who does not back down from a challenge, the midﬁelder/defender rarely put out a bad game and kept digging in even when the going got tough. Earned seven Team of the Week nominations for her troubles.

SOPHIA GREEN MURRAY BUSHRANGERS

The sole 2008-born player in the side, Green had some mammoth games for the Bushrangers in a struggling side. She has played just about everywhere, but did her best work rotating between midﬁeld and half-back. With a few of the Bushrangers’ midﬁelders ageing out or heading off to the AFLW, Green will take hold of that on-ball spot next year.

GEORGIA KNIGHT

EASTERN RANGES

It was impossible to ignore Knight who fell one goal short of Read’s goalkicking effort in the Coates Talent League. Often just missing out of Team of the Week nominations due to the sheer strength of her side, Knight kicks goals for fun and has elite forward craft and smarts.

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Sienna TALLARITI

OAKLEIGH

FULL TEAM OF THE YEAR SQUAD

MURRAY

Sarah

OAKLEIGH

Priya

REYNOLDS CLAIMS RMC MEDAL

DANDENONG Stingrays midﬁelder Jemma Reynolds was crowned the 2024 Rookie Me Central Medallist, with the top-age AFLW Draft prospect crediting her consistency and durability for the award. Following in the footsteps of past winners Zarlie Goldsworthy and Sara Howley, Reynolds polled 49 votes in a thrilling ﬁnish to the count.

“It’s a honour to receive it after I got to play every game this season so it gave me a good opportunity in terms of this, to get a lot of votes on the board,” Reynolds said. “But over the season my goal’s just to be consistent and I think that’s what I’ve done and I think as a reward shows that and I’m really pleased to receive it.”

Last season Reynolds played as a forward who pinch-hit in the middle, but her transformation into full-time midﬁelder has helped further enhance her draft claims. In terms of her thoughts on how she has developed in the new role, the Stingrays talent said it was a “different type of game” in the midﬁeld compared to up forward.

“It’s less about your craft and your goal sense and all that and rather getting down, getting the hardballs and placing yourself in the right spot to get the footy,” she said.

In learning the new role, Reynolds made a particular focus in improving her ﬁrst-possession winning ability, which is something that she said while it still could get better, was further advanced than at the start of the year.

“I would say my second-possession stuff is still definitely a strength of my game more so than first-possession winning,” Reynolds said. “But I think over the season being in the midfield the whole time … you’ve got to play every different role in the midfield so I definitely improved that I think compared to last season.”

In terms of the final leaderboard for the Rookie Me Central Medal, Reynolds ended up finishing a mere one vote clear of Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves, with the Vic Metro MVP shooting up to second with back-to-back best on ground performances in the last fortnight, while Ash Centra finished third. Oakleigh Chargers’ Sarah Poustie and Northern Knights’ Zoe Hargreaves rounded out the Top 5.

CLUB LEADERS

PLAYER FOCUS OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

SIENNA TALLARITI

FOR the second consecutive year, Oakleigh Chargers skipper

Sienna Tallariti stood tall on the big stage to earn yet another best on ground medal in the Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final.

From start until ﬁnish, Tallariti played a crucial role in the back 50, intercepting anything that came her way and was able to keep the Eastern Ranges from putting goals on the board when the game was at its hottest.

FIRST QUARTER

Sienna Tallariti started the match prominently in defence playing on opposing skipper and her Vic Metro co-captain Georgie Brisbane. Tallariti's ﬁrst touch was a handball away while being tackled, before a nice second effort to win the ball and kick to a contest on the wing. The Oakleigh defender rebounding did open the space behind her and allow a pass to her direct opponent, but luckily the set shot missed.

Tallariti would kick to a contest at the defensive 50, and while the ball did come back, she would mop up yet again and deliver a nice short pass with great composure. A highlight in the ﬁrst quarter came in the 18th minute when Tallariti

showed brilliance moving through trafﬁc so seamlessly and was composed by hand to get it away.

SECOND QUARTER

Tallariti's ﬁrst touch of the second term was a quick kick from half-back under pressure to a one-on-one down the ﬁeld. She repeated the same instance a moment later but spotted a target in Sarah Poustie through lowering the eyes and nailing the pinpoint pass.

Another highlight followed in the eighth minute of the term where she took the ball off hands against multiple opponents in defence, opening space on the outer wing and started the incredible end-to-end play that resulted in Grace To's goal.

Tallariti produced another brilliant highlight when up against two opponents, she gathered cleanly and sidestepped them selling candy along the way before kicking off the non-preferred left. While the kick was not as penetrating as off her right and got intercepted, she won it back via interception herself and thumped to a contest inside 50 as she pushed higher up the ground.

By half-time, Tallariti's numbers were up to 16 disposals, four marks, two inside 50s and eight rebound 50s.

THIRD QUARTER

The second half was not as proliﬁc for Tallariti given Oakleigh started to have more

ﬁeld position dominance and she dropped back deeper rather than following Brisbane all the way up the ﬁeld, but a few minutes into the third term the Oakleigh skipper had already notched up 20 touches.

Her ﬁrst kickout in the opening two minutes was effective from defence, and then took another great mark in front of Brisbane deep in the back 50. A moment later with the ball coming in, Tallariti got caught behind again but her implied pressure and bodywork forced her opponent to drop the mark and she was quick to swoop in, gather and handball off.

FOURTH QUARTER

Tallariti almost exclusively played deep in the defensive 50 for the fourth quarter as the Chargers needed her to ensure the Ranges' attempts to go deep would be thwarted. She would only have two more disposals - both kicks - but had numerous defensive players to disrupt the opposition.

In the last two minutes, Tallariti gathered deep in defence under immense pressure and hit the pass up to half-back brilliantly before capping off the performance with a well-timed smother in defence to stop a shot on goal.

Perhaps the biggest moment that showed Tallariti's character occurred after the ﬁnal siren. While all of her teammates celebrated and mobbed one another, Tallariti walked to shake the hands of the Eastern players around her and console them after a hard-fought battle.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Sienna Tallariti is a wonderfully talented player who deﬁnes a true footballer's footballer. She understands the game, reads the play well in the air and can both defend and attack when required. While the new-age of football leans towards explosive talls, Tallariti bucks the trend by maximising all of her strengths to impact games consistently.

AFLW DRAFT COMBINE INVITEES 2024

ADDITIONAL 44 STATE COMBINE INVITEES +++

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Tatyana PERRY (Palmerston Magpies)

NSW-ACT

Emma JUNEJA (Sydney Swans Academy)

Ash PATTON (GWS Giants Academy)

Amelie PROSSER-SHAW (GWS Giants Academy)

QUEENSLAND

Lilly BAKER (Brisbane Lions Academy)

Chloe GAUNT (Brisbane Lions Academy)

Tara HARRINGTON (Gold Coast Suns Academy)

Havana HARRIS (Gold Coast Suns Academy)

Mia SALISBURY (Gold Coast Suns Academy)

Heidi TALBOT (Gold Coast Suns Academy)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Jasmine EVANS (Central District)

Grace MARTIN (Woodville-West Torrens)

Georgia MCKEE (Central District)

India RASHEED (Sturt)

Charlotte RIGGS (Central District)

Esther SCHIRMER (South Adelaide)

Poppy SCHOLZ (Glenelg)

TASMANIA

Mackenzie WILLIAMS (Tasmania Devils)

VIC COUNTRY

Zoe BESANKO (Dandenong Stingrays)

Ash CENTRA (Gippsland Power)

Jemmika DOUGLAS (Bendigo Pioneers)

Holly EGAN (Murray Bushrangers)

Alexis GREGOR (Bendigo Pioneers)

Sara HOWLEY (Geelong Falcons)

Millie LANG (GWV Rebels)

Claire MAHONY (GWV Rebels)

Lou PAINTER (Bendigo Pioneers)

Elli SYMONDS (Dandenong Stingrays)

VIC METRO

Grace BABA (Eastern Ranges)

Grace BELLONI (Eastern Ranges)

Georgie BRISBANE (Eastern Ranges)

Lou-Lou FIELD (Western Jets)

Sierra GRIEVES (Western Jets)

Zoe HARGREAVES (Northern Knights)

Scout HOWDEN (Sandringham Dragons)

Georgia KNIGHT (Eastern Ranges)

Maggie MAHONY (Oakleigh Chargers)

Emma MCDONALD (Oakleigh Chargers)

Sophie MCKAY (Sandringham Dragons)

Sarah POUSTIE (Oakleigh Chargers)

Holly RIDEWOOD (Northern Knights)

Sienna TALLARITI (Oakleigh Chargers)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Taya CHAMBERS (East Fremantle)

Zippy FISH (East Fremantle)

Molly O’HEHIR (South Fremantle)

Lily PATERSON (Swan Districts)

Claudia WRIGHT (Claremont)

NSW-ACT

Ellie HALL (GWS Giants Academy)

Ellie VEERHUIS (Sydney Swans Academy)

VIC COUNTRY

Rebecca CLOTTEY (Geelong Falcons)

Lavinia COX (Bendigo Pioneers)

Kayla DALGLEISH (Dandenong Stingrays)

Zali GALLAGHER (Gippsland Power)

Kaiya HIDES (Brisbane Lions Academy)

Siobhan ROSS (Gold Coast Suns Academy) QUEENSLAND

Sienna HOBBS (Bendigo Pioneers)

Lilly LEIGHTON (Gippsland Power)

Nyalli MILNE (Gold Coast Suns Academy)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Ruby BALLARD (West Adelaide)

Lucy BOYD (West Adelaide)

Asha DUFOUR (West Adelaide)

Laela EBERT (North Adelaide)

Emma KILPATRICK (West Adelaide)

Tiffany KING (South Adelaide)

Coby MORGAN (Norwood)

Violet PATTERSON (Glenelg)

Jemma WHITINGTON-CHARITY (North Adelaide)

TASMANIA

Sophie STRONG (Tasmania Devils)

Lucy THOMPSON (Tasmania Devils)

Mekah MORRISSY (Geelong Falcons)

Sasha PEARCE (Bendigo Pioneers)

Jemma REYNOLDS (Dandenong Stingrays)

Jasmine SOWDEN (Gippsland Power)

Seisia WHITE (Geelong Falcons)

Olivia WOLTER (GWV Rebels)

VIC METRO

Charlotte BREWER (Oakleigh Chargers)

Daisy FLOCKART (Sandringham Dragons)

Kyla FORBES (Calder Cannons)

Amelie GLADMAN (Oakleigh Chargers)

Evie PARKER (Eastern Ranges)

Molly PATERSON (Eastern Ranges)

Stasia STEVENSON (Eastern Ranges)

Abbey VICINO (Oakleigh Chargers)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Sabella BANKS (East Perth)

Holly BRITTON (Peel Thunder)

Natasha ENTWISTLE (East Fremantle)

Noa MCNAUGHTON (South Fremantle)

Kate NEWSON (South Fremantle)

Poppy STOCKWELL (South Fremantle)

Taya STRICKLAND (Subiaco)

Tiani TEAKLE (East Fremantle)

NORTHERN Territory talent

Tatyana Perry is a promising young player who clocked the fastest 20m sprint time at the AFLW National Draft Combine. With football running through her blood, the niece of Aaron and Alwyn Davey is hoping to forge her own path through the AFL Women's.

We spoke to Perry at the combine to hear about her year and some of the inspirations along her journey.

They've (uncles Aaron and Alwyn Davey) had a huge impact. Watching them from a young age and just realising that hopefully that could be me one day when I'm older when there's a girls competition that starts. They've often given me lots of advice which is nice.

Q TATYANA, TALK US THROUGH YOUR FOOTBALL JOURNEY?

TP: I started playing at the age of 10 in the Thunder Juniors down in Darwin. Basically just grew up around footy so always just wanted to get out there and play. Still playing because it's fun and I love it.

Q COMING THROUGH NTFL AS WELL, HOW'S THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN FOR YOU?

TP: Playing in the NTFL obviously it's a different level compared to other states, but it's been fun. Obviously the weather condition's down there's been a bit challenging but I feel like it's been a good challenge for my career.

Q YOU WERE NAMED CO-CAPTAIN AT PALMERSTON AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE, HOW HAVE YOU FOUND IT?

TP: It's been good. Training with the Palmerston Magpies since a young age, just looking up to the other girls that were there and seeing how they lead the girls. Really focused on that and took that into how I played my footy, I was there for the girls.

Q IN TERMS OF YOUR PATHWAY, WHO'S HAD A PARTICULAR INFLUENCE ON YOU?

TP: I'd like to say my dad, growing up and watching my dad and how he's played. Just like his mentality and stuff like that.

Q IN TERMS OF YOUR OWN GAME, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS SOME OF YOUR STRENGTHS?

TP: For my strengths I think my run and carry from the backline is pretty good, and my speed.

Q WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO IMPROVE ON?

TP: Probably my pressure on-ball. Obviously playing in the backline, love to have heaps of pressure on-ball, and probably my strength as well, just being able to push off players and win one-on-one contests.

Q IS HALF-BACK YOUR PREFERRED POSITION OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY ANOTHER ONE AT SOME STAGE?

TP: I like playing all over really. I've played forward, sometimes on the wing, I feel like my best footy is from the backline.

Q THE NTFL SEASON STARTED NOW, WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR YOU WITH THE DRAFT COMING UP, DO YOU JUST COACH OR DO YOU GET INVOLVED, WHAT'S YOUR INVOLVEMENT?

TP: I'm training with the girls now and getting around them as much as I can. I'm not going to be playing this season just because of what's coming up. But I get down every training, I'm going to be their runner so hopefully that's going to help the girls.

Q HOW'S IT BEEN PLAYING WITH OTHER NTFL GIRLS IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY ACADEMY THROUGH THE TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS COMPETITION?

TP: It's been really good, our new head coach Dale Eames from Gold Coast, he came over last year. He just set a really good example for the girls and made us really come out of our shells and want to be better, so it was really good, we just gelled really well.

Q WHAT PLAYER DO YOU MODEL OR GAME ON OR MODEL YOUR GAME ON?

TP: I'd probably say Nasiah Wanganeen because he plays in backline and he's really good at the run and carry, so I try and model my game like him.

Q WHICH AFL/AFLW CLUB DO YOU SUPPORT?

TP: In the AFL I go for the Melbourne Demons, but AFLW not too sure yet I sort of go for all of them.

Q IS THERE A BACK STORY AS TO WHY?

TP: Obviously just growing up watching my uncle play for Melbourne Demons, Aaron Davey. I also do go for Bombers sometimes just because of my other uncle Alwyn Davey. But yeah it's a bit between the two.

Q HOW HAVE YOU FOUND CHATTING TO CLUBS FROM EVERYWHERE?

TP: It's been a new experience for sure. Obviously coming to the national camp, that was my ﬁrst time really getting interviewed, talking to clubs which was really exciting. Now that I'm used to it, it's really nice and relaxed.

COX’S SCORE LIGHTS UP COMBINE

AN INCREDIBLE athletic performance from Bendigo Pioneers’ Lavinia Cox saw her record a near-perfect Physical Performance Rating (PPR) across the four National and State Draft Combines that took place earlier this month. Following in the footsteps of now-Swan Holly Cooper who won with a score of 95 last year, Cox dazzled her way to a ridiculous 98.2 at the Victorian State Combine.

The PPR is formulated looking at all the indoor tests conducted at the AFLW Draft Combine, including standing and running vertical jumps, 20m sprint and agility test. Each athlete’s score is then rated as either ‘Elite’, ‘Excellent’, ‘Very Good’, ‘Good’, ‘Average’ or ‘Growth area’, and then calculated to form a total out of 100.

A total of 69 athletes were put through their paces over the last fortnight, with just the indoor tests taken into account for the PPR to ensure identical conditions. Of the top eight PPR scores, just one came at the National Draft Combine, indicating that a lot of the athletes tested at their respective State Draft Combines. However just one of the top 10 was tested outside Victoria.

Cox’s 98.2 featured ‘Elite’ ratings in the standing and running vertical jumps, as well as agility test, while being rated ‘Excellent’ in the 20m sprint. It was somewhat ﬁtting that she took the crown off Kayla Dalgleish – who scored the most in the Preseason Testing – with the Dandenong Stingrays speedster ﬁnishing equal second.

Dalgleish was ‘Elite’ or ‘Excellent’ across the board, and shared second spot with the sole West Australian on the list in Sabella Banks. The East Perth prospect also scored a 92.9 with elite 20m sprint, agility and standing vertical jump results. Rounding out the top ﬁve was the star athlete Zippy Fish and eye-catching Queenslander Nyalli Milne who both recorded 91.1.

A trio of Victorians who tested at the State Draft Combine follow, with Oakleigh Chargers defender Charlotte Brewer

(89.3), Eastern Ranges wing Evie Parker (87.5) and Geelong Falcons tackling machine Rebecca Clottey (83.9) all testing superbly well. The 20m sprint winner in Northern Territory’s Tatyana Perry, and a couple of ‘Lilly’s’ in Lilly Baker and Lilly Leighton ﬁnished with an equal 82.1.

Dandenong Stingrays’ Zoe Besanko was one of three talls across three states to score above 80 and land just outside the top 10. She was joined by East Fremantle’s Taya Chambers and Giants Academy’s Amelie Prosser-Shaw.

Looking at the numbers, ﬁve players recorded scores of above 90, nine managed 80-plus efforts, and a further 17 players recorded 70-plus scores. At the other end of the scale, the lowest recorded score was 17.5, with 14 players scoring sub-50.

A total of 18 players who earned Draft Combine invites such as Havana Harris and Stasia Stevenson who both starred in preseason, did not test at the event.

From the State Combines outside Victoria, the next best performers were South Adelaide’s Tiffany King, Norwood’s Coby Morgan and West Adelaide’s Ruby Ballard who all scored above 70, while West Australian duo Natasha Entwistle and Poppy Stockwell were next best from their state.

GROWING up in a rugby heartland, talented multi-sport athlete Olivia Fogarty has never subscribed to the status quo. The former soccer player always enjoyed Aussie rules, but only decided to take it more “serious” last year.

The 26-year-old had a whirlwind ﬁrst season with Ainslie in the AFL Canberra, attracting interest from AFLW clubs and earning a train-on spot with the GWS Giants. While her hopes of snatching a list spot for the 2024 season were dashed, her dreams of making it were not.

“I played my ﬁrst season last year with Ainslie Football Club and it's been so fun,” Fogarty told Rookie Me Central. “Loved playing there, there's a lot of talent that's come through Ainslie Football Club and into the AFLW system.

”Watching the girls come in and then go into AFLW, that's something that I really want to do. That was last year, so started playing seriously last year, and played again this year and then it's kind of hard being taken seriously in Canberra, so that's why I've moved to Melbourne to play here.”

Fogarty made the move south to become a train-on with Hawthorn, getting around the playing group throughout the 2024 AFLW season and relocating to play VFLW next year should her AFLW Draft dream not pan out this season.

“The girls have been so welcoming,” Fogarty said. “The leadership group there, it's been great, the professionalism at training, the buy-in from all the players has been really exciting to be a part of, and all the coaching staff I feel like they've got something special going there, so being exposed to that a couple of times a week has been really, really fun.”

“TO BE NOTICED”

PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE CANBERRA FOOTY LEAGUE THAT SERIOUSLY, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I THINK IT'S SO GREAT DOWN THERE.

Fogarty’s desire to reach the elite level burns deep, with the ACT native taking every opportunity she can while training with the brown and gold and then implementing that when she gets her chance to play.

“I've set myself just to give it my all at these training sessions to be noticed at that next level and show that I can if given the opportunity, can perform and ﬁt in at that environment,” Fogarty said.

“But also instinctually knowing I've got a lot more to learn in the game and my skills probably need more developing. ”Really trying to knuckle down this VFL preseason that's starting in a couple of weeks.

“I'm really keen for that and to just smash out a really strong preseason. Which puts myself in a position for any injury replacement spots, or spots next year that come up, and if not, then just play consistently through the VFL. That's what I'm really trying to do next year.”

Most importantly, Fogarty believes she has what it takes to reach the elite level.

“I think deep down I feel like I know I've got what it takes to perform at that level and I'm trying to put my best foot forward, whether it be at trainings or moving states to show I've got

what it takes,” she said. “It would mean a lot and I think that given that opportunity, would make me grow as a player and just make me a better footballer in general.

”Not to mention, meeting a bunch of new girls, and being able to train every day and getting paid for it is something that being female and being a female athlete you kind of didn't think would ever happen. Growing up, being younger you'd just watch male players get paid to do what they love every day, if that could happen to me that would be really cool.”

I THINK I REALLY JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH FOOTY ALL OVER AGAIN BEING ABLE TO PLAY THERE.

ISLA BALDWIN ON PLAYING AT EASTERN RANGES.

DECISION TO SPLIT FOOTY LEVELS

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL

FINISHING EQUAL 2ND IN BNF

I was very shocked to be honest. There's some really great girls in the team that year. But it was just testament to the work I put in that season and just tried to play some consistent footy. To be behind Eliza Wood was a real honour and as I said I loved the club, so I was really grateful for that.

the outside to get going. I think they're some of the strengths in my game.

HOW ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS?

My speed is something I've been trying to improve on before I had my foot injury, that was deﬁnitely something I was trying to work on, just try and drive out of the stoppage and also something I spoke to my coaches about, after my initial disposal just to go again and have that involvement in the contest as well.

BIGGEST CAREER INFLUENCE

I think my dad for sure. He took me to my ﬁrst AFLW game which would have been back in 2017, and he's just been the biggest support for me. Helped me through injuries, helped me with my mindset, always giving me ways to get better, so deﬁnitely my dad for sure.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY OFF-FIELD?

I'm studying my nursing at the moment, so that's taking up a little bit of time. My ﬁrst year, my second semester which I'm really enjoying. I've always really wanted to be a nurse so it's great that I'm able to pursue that now. Outside of that I just love being outdoors, spending time, exercising whether it's walking, running, anything like that, and then with my family and friends as well, spending time with them.

IF YOU ACHIEVE AFLW DREAM?

Everything. You just dream of that as a little kid and it’s something that I've wanted for so long, so to be able to have that would be amazing. That's the dream.

JORDAN UNDETERRED BY DRAFT DISAPPOINTMENT

GEELONG VFL Women's best and fairest winner Lily Jordan did not let the disappointment of missing out on reaching the top level in her draft year affect her on-ﬁeld in 2024.

The former GWV Rebels small forward chose to head down the coast to play for the Cats and focus purely on senior football in her 19th year. That paid dividends with the over-age draft prospect winning her club's top award from just 11 games.

"I've never won an award like that for footy before," Jordan told Rookie Me Central. "I was actually supposed to be in Queensland when the best and fairest was on and I said to my dad 'a few people have said to me they think that I'd be in the running to win it, so I think I should be there', so I switched my ﬂights around and stayed. But still going into the night, I just didn't think that it would be me and I hadn't given it a lot of thought.

"I know some of the other girls had tried to add up the scores as people do, and then we got through the night, it was just so exciting to see the numbers go up and I think I'm pretty lucky. "I had a really good ﬁnal game and got a little goal in there for the end of the season and that pushed me over the line."

That ﬁnal game saw Jordan pick up 25 disposals and lay 13 tackles, while also kicking her ﬁrst goal of the season. It was her third consecutive performance of double-digit tackles to close out the year. While the Cats had a down year on the ladder, Jordan was a shining light.

The teenager certainly had her doubts moving to an environment where she knew very few people and moved out of the comforts of home,

but the reward for effort meant everything to her.

"I can't describe the feeling that I felt when my name was called out," Jordan said. "I think I was ﬁlled with so much pride and gratitude that I'd had the opportunity to come down here and I think I had to be so proud of myself because I moved out of home. "I was living by myself. I'd been in a new town, new to the club.

"I though it felt like I'd fallen on my face and had to clamber back to my feet through all the injuries. "It's just a really nice moment to solidify that no, I actually deserve to be here and I put in the work and made all those really tough times on the sidelines okay."

The decision of playing VFLW only rather than a mix of state league and Coates Talent League was based off both lifestyle and footballing factors.

"I had a few options after the draft," Jordan said. "I spoke to a few clubs that wanted me to come down and play for them. "After that I needed to start thinking about uni and where I was going to be as well, that balanced part of life.

"I also had the option to go and play Rebels again, but I felt after three years there that I'd just outgrown the people and the place and I needed a fresh start and to reinvent myself somewhere else.

Despite the best and fairest-winning season, Jordan's year did not come without the natural highs and lows of football.

"I felt a little out of my depth in Round 1. "I think

just getting used to being in a new team, a new role, I was playing in the midﬁeld," Jordan said. "I never really had an opportunity in the midﬁeld at Rebels, so that was super exciting.

"Then I missed the next three rounds because I hurt my back and was dealing wiht nerve pain, which was a challenge in itself, but it just made me hungrier to get back.

"Then I did what I did to be with the team again, I was so excited and happy to be there, and I think from that point, when I was able to string together a few games, and I was working really hard behind the scenes to understand the knowledge aspect of the midﬁeld."

A successful season on, Jordan has not lost her hunger to reach the elite level, hoping her year could impress clubs ahead of the 2024 AFLW Draft.

I 100 PER CENT DESERVE TO BE IN THE AFLW.

LILY JORDAN

"It would mean everything for me (to be drafted)," Jordan said. "It's always been a dream, and I think being exposed to the clubs and training with the girls this year has really solidiﬁed to me that that is absolutely where I want to be. "I love the lifestyle of being an elite athlete and I 100 per cent want to be in those girls' footprints and I'm going to do everything I can to get there, but it would make me so extremely happy and proud.

"I think more so if I was to get drafted now, I know I've put in the work. "I could have been deterred by not being drafted, or what I was told from clubs last year, but I went away and I worked on it and I'm a better player for it. Now I know that I 100 per cent deserve to be in the AFLW."

JORDYN ALLEN

12/11/2007 | 166CM | DEFENDER/WING EASTERN RANGES/VIC METRO

A unique player in many ways compared to the rest of this list, Allen is one of the top outside prospects in the group. One of a number of Eastern Ranges prospects, Allen has developed from being a half-back to a midﬁelder, but has found her place on a wing. She is a high metres gained player with explosive speed, clean skills and smart decision making capabilities. It will be interesting to see how much inside minutes she gets next year, because she is such a damaging outside talent.

PRIYA BOWERING

02/01/2007 167CM | MIDFIELDER LAUDERDALE/TASMANIA

The other Tasmanian in the list, Bowering has long been touted as the Apple Isle's top prospect for 2025. As strong as they come, Bowering is an old fashioned footballer in many regards in the way that she is a see-ball, get-ball type who can be a primarily ﬁrst possession winner. The Tasmanian excels around the clearances both off ruck taps and at ground level and has a strong frame to win one-on-one contests wherever she goes. As a secondary position goes, Bowering has also spent time forward.

OLIVIA CRANE

08/10/2007 | 181CM KEY DEFENDER SUBIACO/WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Unfortunately 2024 did not go to plan for Crane who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury earlier this year in the Under 18s clash with the WAFLW All-Stars in preseason. That put a line through the talented state Under 16 skipper's bottom-age season, but she is quality and was never going to get left off this list. An incredibly smart player who can play on all three lines, her best work is done in defence where her overhead marking and damaging left foot comes to the fore.

LUCY GREENWOOD

23/03/2007 162CM | FORWARD/MIDFIELDER EAST

An incredibly gifted small forward who gained important midﬁeld minutes both on the inside and on the wing this year for East Perth in the WAFLW, Greenwood was a shining light for the seventh placed Royals. She won her side's best and fairest, and looked damaging each time she won the ball. Elite agility, incredible smarts and deadly skills are just some of her traits, but her best trait might be her cleanliness at ground level, with Greenwood being a one-touch player making her a rare talent.

IN 2025 TOP 25

CHLOE BAKER-WEST

02/02/2007 163CM | SMALL UTILITY CALDER CANNONS/VIC METRO

The reigning back-to-back Vic Metro Under 16s MVP, Baker-West has had an interrupted Coates Talent League Girls season due to injury and school football commitments. A natural ball-winner who can easily rack up 30-plus - and sometimes 40-plus - disposals, Baker-West has been deployed on all three lines. She gets into the right spaces, has an elite tank and is strong in the hips to shrug off would-be tacklers. Missed this year's national championships due to injury but is no stranger to the big occasion.

CHLOE BOWN

20/12/2007 174CM MIDFIELDER/FORWARD OAKLEIGH CHARGERS/VIC METRO

The prototype modern day midﬁelder, Bown is tall, moves well, has a penetrating left foot and can hit the scoreboard. She can play inside, outside or as a target inside 50 which will have plenty of clubs excited by her possibilities for growth in 2025. Already capped at Under 18s level for Vic Metro, Bown has got better as the season has gone on. She will likely be more of a full-time midﬁelder who rests forward next year for the Chargers, but is able to impact wherever she plays.

GEORJA DAVIES

17/01/2007 | 183CM | KEY UTILITY BOND UNIVERSITY/QUEENSLAND

The fourth Davies sister set to enter the AFLW behind Giselle, Fleur and Darcie, Georja is perhaps the most unique of the quartet. She started as a forward/ruck but has developed into a midﬁelder and also spent time behind the ball, which at her size makes her an incredible draft prospect. Her athletic proﬁle is outstanding, and she has been one of the best for Queensland at the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships so far. Davies' ceiling is unlimited.

STELLA HUXTABLE

22/12/2007 | 170CM MIDFIELDER/FORWARD GEELONG FALCONS/VIC COUNTRY

There seems to be an abundance of left-footers in this list and Huxtable is yet another one to make the cut. Tall and strong, she is a natural inside midﬁelder but is so competitive in the air that she competes hard as a forward and can clunk some good grabs inside 50. A powerful kick to match her game style, Huxtable will likely lead the Falcons' midﬁeld alongside fellow bottom-ager Georgia Tyrrell in 2025 and will further develop areas of her game to become even more well rounded.

DEKOTA BARON

03/01/2007 178CM | TALL FORWARD SOUTHPORT/SUNS ACADEMY/QUEENSLAND

An athletic, strong key forward who is usually a reliable source of scoring, Baron is a top-end talent who is likely to land in the top five spots. She has always been a strong contested marker, but has developed her first few steps over time to be so potent on the lead. Baron has the capacity to get up around the ball and have a stint in the ruck too, but expect her to be a forward who pinch-hits in the ruck at the top level. One who has the capacity to kick bags of goals, and can be very damaging by foot in the field as well.

MONIQUE BESSEN

05/02/2007 | 174CM | MIDFIELDER/FORWARD STURT/SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Following in the footsteps of fellow 174cm midfielder/forward out of Sturt in India Rasheed, Bessen can be just as damaging, but in different ways. She has the class, skills and decision making, and though perhaps not racking up as many freakish goals as Rasheed, has an eye-catching athletic profile. Bessen moves well through traffic, is not flustered under pressure and while still developing her consistency at times, when given the chance to be a key player, is able to inflict maximum damage as a distributor.

SOPHIE EATON

23/04/2007 | 170CM | WING/FORWARD CENTRAL DISTRICT/SOUTH AUSTRALIA

A SANFLW premiership player at 16, as well as captaining her state to the AFLW Under 16 Championships title last year all while winning the Croweaters' MVP, Eaton has quite the CV. Her skills are up there with the best to have come through the pathway, and she bites off those risky kicks as she can usually hit them. Playing primarily forward in 2024, Eaton has plied her craft on a wing for the Croweaters but can go inside as she did for the Under 16s state side last year.

SUNNY LAPPIN

28/11/2007 169CM | FORWARD/MIDFIELDER SOUTHPORT/SUNS ACADEMY/QUEENSLAND

It has happened in the boys' draft before but next year Lappin will become the first top draft talent to have three clubs she is eligible to join ahead of the draft through both Academy (Gold Coast) and father-daughter (Carlton and St Kilda). The daughter of Matthew, Lappin is a smooth-moving clever footballer who is damaging around goal and finds pockets of space in the front half of the ground. Boasting a slick athletic profile too, Lappin can be a damaging kick going inside 50 as well as finishing off herself.

MISCHA BARWIN

04/12/2007 | 164CM | FORWARD/MIDFIELDER LAUDERDALE/TASMANIA

A player who burst onto the scene in the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls season, Barwin has proven herself to be somewhat of an X-factor in the front half of the ground. Often playing that high half-forward role - though capable of rolling into the midﬁeld or playing deeper in attack - Barwin has fantastic evasive skills and smarts to draw free kicks too. She projects as more of a midﬁelder next year, but the Devils are not short on those, so expect her bursts through there to be a great point of difference.

EVIE COWCHER

It has been a matter of time for the 2023 WAFLW Rising Star winner, who has come through the Diversity programs representing the Medleys as well as Peel Thunder and Western Australia over the last few years. An incredible intercept marker and booming kick, Cowcher does her best work as a third tall defender who can peel off her opponent and distribute by foot outside the defensive 50. She has had limited minutes as a tall midﬁelder as well, but reads the play so well in ﬂight she is hard to pass.

03/08/2007 | 174CM | TALL DEFENDER PEEL THUNDER/WESTERN AUSTRALIA ANNABELLE FOAT

23/04/2007 | 163CM | MIDFIELDER BOND UNI/SUNS ACADEMY/QUEENSLAND

One addition to the Top 25 to Watch in 2025 is Foat who produced a really consistent bottom-age national carnival where she averaged 19 disposals, four tackles and two clearances per game in a really strong Maroons on-ball group. Though not tall, Foat is ﬁerce, and her season was capped off with a brilliant Under 17 Futures match where she collected 22 disposals, two marks, two tackles, two clearances, two inside inside 50s and two rebound 50s, covering the ground well.

ELOISE MACKERETH

27/07/2007 | 173CM | FORWARD/WING GLENELG/SOUTH AUSTRALIA

If draft prospects were measured on upside, few could match that of Mackereth who has enormous potential for the future. A raw young star with great hands, fantastic recovery skills and smart forward craft, Mackereth is able to kick goals in a multitude of ways. Her kicking inside 50 is a delight and it complements her outstanding vision and execution. For South Australia in the Under 16s Championships last year she also played up on a wing, then kicked four goals in a game. Star in the making.

JADE McLAY

01/02/2007 | 177CM | TALL UTILITY CALDER CANNONS/VIC METRO

One of the strongest players on the list, McLay is a towering presence who can play on all three lines. Though boasting the height of a key position player, McLay is just as adept in midﬁeld at winning clearances, with a booming kick that can breakdown opposition defensive zone. Her hands overhead are reliable and she competes just as well at ground level. Has had to balance her Cannons commitments with her school football ones, but earned a spot on Vic Metro's list for the national championships.

TAYLA McMILLAN

25/05/2007 | 161CM | MIDFIELDER EASTERN RANGES/VIC METRO

McMillan is one of the more complete midfielders in next year's draft. While her standout traits are her clean hands and skills, the Eastern Ranges onballer is also a fierce tackler and punches well above her weight. A pure midfielder who is so well balanced between her offensive and defensive traits, McMillan works her way around a stoppage well and her release by hand both under pressure and in space by drawing an opponent is sublime. Her overall profile is as well rounded as any.

MADELEINE QUINN

10/02/2007 | 187CM | RUCK UTS BATS/SWANS ACADEMY/NSW-ACT

Quinn is sheer raw potential but has shown enough across the course of 2024 to earn a place on the list by year's end. She was just outside our 25 in 2025 at the mid-season point, but by the end of the national carnival, the Swans Academy member averaged 9.7 disposals, 17.3 hitouts and 4.3 tackles from her three matches. Similar numbers at Coates Talent League Girls level showed she has some consistency, and with greater endurance, can impact games for longer with some fantastic mobility for a 187cm player.

MIA RUSSO

06/08/2007 | 164CM

Last year's AFLW Under 16s MVP, Russo has quickly staked her claim as the pick of a strong 2025 West Australian crop. Winning back-to-back Rogers Cup best and fairests and then stepping up to League level and holding her place as an impact player up forward and through the midﬁeld, her burst speed and power around the stoppage holds her in good stead. Russo backs her combination of speed and strength to get around players and kick some ripping goals, and is a focal point through the middle.

ELLA STODDART

30/01/2007 | 173CM | GENERAL UTILITY GIPPSLAND POWER/VIC COUNTRY

The ultimate utility player, Stoddart won a Vic Country Under 16s MVP as a defender - and it is where she represented Country against Vic Metro recently - but she has spent more time up forward of late for Gippsland Power. Damaging around goals when able to get onto her trusty left boot, Stoddart can also use her strong frame at stoppages and impact games through the midﬁeld. Good one-on-one overhead and loves to take grass and rack up the metres gained wherever possible.

ALANNAH WELSH

23/11/2007 | 170CM | UTILITY SOUTHPORT/SUNS ACADEMY/QUEENSLAND

There are no shortage of utilities in the draft this year and Welsh is yet another one. She won an Under 16s MVP when able to play as a defender and midﬁelder, but has also mostly spent time up forward for the Sharks and Suns. With Queensland in 2024, Welsh has played on all three lines and has traits that adapt with her strength and power, smarts and competitive nature all seeping out into her game. Her best position might be unknown, but she is a good ﬁeld kick and can plug any holes a team has.

ISLA WIENCKE

30/03/2007 | 174CM | MIDFIEDER/FORWARD BELCONNEN/GIANTS ACADEMY/NSW-ACT

The second NSW-ACT player in the 25, Wiencke is a strong and powerful midﬁelder who can go forward and compete in the air as well. Her variety of ball-winning techniques hold her in good stead as she can be a ﬁrst or second possession winner, or be ready for a handball receive on the outside and thump it forward. Wiencke's numbers speak for themselves and she continually one-upped older players and took control at the coalface to be deserving of a spot on the list. Was awarded the Allies' MVP which spoke for itself.

OLIVIA WOLMARANS

02/09/2007 181CM | KEY FORWARD/RUCK SUBIACO/WESTERN AUSTRALIA

When dominating at the 2022 Under 16s Championships between West Australian players a couple of years ago, Wolmarans showed traits similar to Amy Franklin. It is an apt comparison due to Wolmarans athleticism despite her height, and a booming kick. She has been a handful in the WAFLW for Subiaco, kicking six goals in her ﬁrst game this season, and then carried that form through to the national carnival where she earned All-Australian honours. Won MVP for her side in the Under 17 Futures match too.

USHER

What a player. Usher's highlights are well renowned with her all-round proﬁle the closest thing to complete that has been seen in a draft prospect yet. She has an elite athletic base that comes from her surf lifesaving, with explosive speed, high endurance and incredible strength to fend-off would-be tacklers. She has a booming kick, great smarts and most impressively, improved on her kicking in a short space of time to go from okay to damaging. The consensus number one pick.

TOP PICK FOR 2025

BOYS AND GIRLS, AGES 9-18+

PETER WILLIAMS CHIEF EDITOR

peter.w@rookieme.com

Be able to work independently as well as alongside others;

Be in your ﬁrst, second or third year of a journalism, writing or equivalent degree (Sports Writer internship);

Experience having written sports content prior; and

Able to attend some matches or events, most of which are outside work hours.

AUSSIE RULES NETBALL BASKETBALL TENNIS CRICKET

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