AFTER the Victorian sides were announced yesterday, we take a look at how the Vic Country players performed this season statistically and some of their key traits. The Country side has some strong midfielders and a consistent defence, as well as some classy players. Among those leaders in the side are Lucy McEvoy, Molly McDonald, Millie Brown and Sophie Molan who all captain their respective sides. The 29-player squad includes a number of middle-agers (not eligible for the draft until next year) who have been marked with an asterisk.

#1 Elise Vella
Geelong Falcons | Outside Midfielder | 156cm

The speedy winger might not be tall, but she provides the Falcons with some great run on the outside, and adds a point of difference to a midfield that has plenty of potency. Works well between the arcs, getting the ball from midfield inside 50.

 

#2 Teagan Brett
Murray Bushrangers | Balanced Midfielder | 157cm

Buzzes around the contest and manages to get out of contested situations due to her size and ability to slip free of tackles. Gets to the right positions to win the ball and get it forward.

 

#3 Paige Sheppard
Geelong Falcons | Balanced Midfielder | 158cm

Another Falcons midfielder who wins the ball on the inside or outside, and can give her forwards best opportunities. A terrific kick, she is able to hit-up targets with pinpoint passes going inside 50, averaging more than five inside 50s a game, but also works hard defensively, laying four tackles per game.

 

#4 Renee Saulitis*
GWV Rebels | Small Forward/Defender | 163cm

A small forward who has been tested down back, the bottom-age talent from the Rebels uses the ball well and has quick disposal by hand or foot. Saultis moves well and provides Country with the versatility to play her up either end. One of the highest goalsenses going around.

 

#5 Luka Lesosky-Hay
Geelong Falcons | Midfielder | 164cm

A huge work ethic, Lesosky-Hay is a natural ball winner who can play inside or outside, and offers good tackling pressure to her side. She has averaged more than five tackles per game in the NAB League Girls this season.

 

#6 Laura Gardiner*
Geelong Falcons | Balanced Midfielder | 164cm

Gardiner is a tackling machine who might not win the same numbers as some of her teammates, but plays an important role, usually off a wing, and is often key in getting the ball free and to teammates running down the ground. Averages almost six tackles per game.

 

#7 Ella Wood
GWV Rebels | Inside Midfielder | 164cm

An inside midfielder who cracks in at every opportunity, Wood missed the AFLW Under 18 Championships last year due to injury but has enjoyed good consistency this year, only missing the one game. Wood is able to play forward or back, and covers the ground well.

 

#8 Elizabeth Snell*
Bendigo Pioneers | Small Forward | 165cm

Had a huge day out against Gippsland Power, booting five goals and looking lively in attack earlier in the season. She can play through the midfield, but has the goal sense and smarts inside 50 to play as that small forward who can dart into open space and cause headaches.

 

#9 Darcy Moloney*
Geelong Falcons | Midfielder/Forward | 165cm

A medium midfielder forward who has a touch of class about the way she plays, and is always an option in transition. She can tend to be the player who spots up a target in a better position going down the ground, or centring the ball.

 

#10 Sophie Locke
Murray Bushrangers | General Defender | 166cm

Not a high possession winner, but a great lockdown defender who can push up the ground. Often tasked with taking on the opposition’s best general forward, and is good at nullifying opponents due to her high athletic capabilities. Loves a tackle and averages almost five per game.

 

#11 Brooke Hards*
Bendigo Pioneers | Inside Midfielder | 166cm

The absolute definition of a tackling machine. Hards averaged 9.9 tackles per game this season, and was often tasked with going head-to-head against the opposition’s best midfielder, while trying to create attacking plays as well. Won Bendigo Pioneers’ Best and Fairest award for her consistency this season.

 

#12 Tyanna Smith*
Dandenong Stingrays | Midfielder | 167cm

Has an eye-catching burst of speed out of a stoppage and is a big-game player. A number of times she has stood up when her team needs her in crunch moments, and was one of Vic Country’s best at the AFL Women’s Under 16 Championships last year.

 

#13 Molly McDonald
Dandenong Stingrays | Midfielder | 168cm

Already on an AFLW list, McDonald has not let her imminent future phase her this season, putting in a consistent performance week-in, week-out for the Stingrays. Not always the highest disposal winner, McDonald’s one percenters would be as high as anyone in the league, and she creates opportunities for her teammates.

 

#14 Abbey Chapman
Geelong Falcons | Key Defender | 170cm

One of the most consistent key defenders in the competition, Chapman will likely pair with Kate Douglass in the back 50. Being in the Geelong back 50 is often a blessing considering how strong the midfield is, but it has not stopped Chapman rebounding more than four times a game.

 

#15 Nikia Webber
Gippsland Power | Key Forward | 170cm

The Gippsland Power key forward has an elite kick and with a strong midfield in front of her, Webber could be a real key in the side roaming up to half-forward. Last year she played well inside 50 with Lucy McEvoy, and now McEvoy could be kicking it to her inside 50.

 

#16 Renee Tierney*
Geelong Falcons | General Forward | 168cm

A consistent goalkicker who will likely play that third tall role in attack, Tierney became a premiership player in her bottom-age year last year, and has continued her form, pairing with Mia Skinner this year and averaging a goal a game. Has pushed more up the ground this year to averaged 15 disposals as well.

 

#17 Mia Skinner
Geelong Falcons | Key Forward | 170cm

The NAB League Girls leading goalkicker has been remarkable this season, booting 18 goals in nine games, and regularly kicking multiple goals in a game. She can turn a game with an impressive quarter, and has high footy IQ and goal sense inside 50. Can play tall or small.

 

#18 Kate Douglass
Bendigo Pioneers | Key Defender | 171cm

A consistent key defender who has had some stints in attack over the past 12 months, but is most notable for her ability to mark overhead, rebound and kick long. Can be a secure selection at full-back, rotating with Chapman and Zoe Hill.

 

#19 Brooke Vernon
Dandenong Stingrays | General Defender | 172cm

The prime rebounder in the NAB League Girls competition, Vernon has averaged more than five rebounds in the season so far and has been one of the most consistent players in the Stingrays’ line-up. Expect her to be tasked with the kick-outs at the championships.

 

#20 Zoe Hill*
Dandenong Stingrays | Key Defender | 173cm

The middle-age key defender is consistent to a tee, and is another option alongside the two top-age defenders in Chapman and Douglass back there. Another nullifying defender who will just lockdown on the opposition’s best forward. A long kick of the football.

 

#21 Sophie Molan
GWV Rebels | Midfielder/Forward | 175cm

A natural-born leader who has good size and can play anywhere, Molan will rotate between the midfield and forward. Averages more than 20 touches a game and lays almost five tackles. Will be a key leader in the side.

 

#22 Millie Brown
Murray Bushrangers | Defender/Midfielder | 175cm

Has found a great niche in defence and can play tall or small due to her strength overhead and ability to create plays from down the field. Will be a key player at the National Championships.

 

#23 Lucy McEvoy
Geelong Falcons | Tall Utility | 172cm

The Falcons captain has been a highly-touted prospect for some time and looms as Vic Country’s top prospect this year with her pure consistency, ball-winning ability and versatility to play anywhere on the ground. She was a star at last year’s AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, playing in attack and having a couple of bags of goals to her name.

 

#24 Isabella Simmons*
GWV Rebels | Key Forward/Midfielder | 181cm

A raw talent who is tall enough to play key forward, but athletic enough to roam up to a wing and through the midfield. Still a middle-age player, but would provide height in the forward half.

 

#25 Olivia Barber*
Murray Bushrangers | Key Utility | 184cm

Barber has played everywhere in her short career, and coming from a basketball background she has some natural abilities such as her leap. Her leading patterns and marking is also strong, and she can chop out Maggie Caris in the ruck when required.

 

#26 Isabella Shannon
Dandenong Stingrays | Midfielder/Forward | 178cm

Another pre-listed AFLW player, Shannon is a tall forward who can play through the midfield. She is a prolific tackler and creates a point of difference at half-forward, always creating a contest and bringing the ball down for her teammates.

 

#27 Shanara Notman
Gippsland Power | Key Defender | 178cm

A raw talent in defence, Notman had a big game in the final round and provides another option as a key defender in the Country side. Notman is good overhead and can rebound the ball outside 50, willing to take the game on.

 

#28 Georgia Howes
Dandenong Stingrays | Ruck/Key Forward | 183cm

Each side is only allowed one overage player in the squad and after Rene Caris was that player last year, it is Georgia Howes this year. She provides a stronger body at the ruck stoppages and can rest forward as well. Does not mind a tackle too.

 

#29 Maggie Caris*
GWV Rebels | Ruck | 188cm

The standout ruck throughout the NAB League Girls competition, Caris is the tallest Victorian player selected and also has represented her state at netball. She is clean below her knees and nearly always gets first hands to it in a ruck contest.