IN a new series focusing on the up and coming AFL Women’s Draft hopefuls, we take a look at some names who would be among their respective states’ top draft prospects for the 2020 AFL Women’s Draft. Next under the microscope is Northern Knights forward Alyssa Bannan, one of the leading key position prospects of this year’s cohort and a NAB League premiership player.

Alyssa Bannan (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)

Height: 177cm
Position: Key Position Forward
Strengths: Speed, scoreboard impact, marking/clean hands, versatility

2020 NAB League stats: 3 games | 14.3 disposals | 5.7 marks | 3.3 tackles | 2.3 inside 50s | 0.7 hitouts | 3.0 goals (9)

2019 NAB League stats: 9 games | 9.8 disposals | 2.2 marks | 3.3 tackles | 2.5 inside 50s | 1.2 hitouts | 1.7 goals (15)

2019 Under 18 National Championships stats: 2 games | 6.5 disposals | 3.5 marks | 1.5 tackles | 1.0 goals (2)

A position which has somewhat been lacking in dominance at the AFL Women’s level is that of the key forward. That trend could quickly change should Northern star, Bannan have a say in the matter, with her mix of aerial presence and speed at ground level making for a dangerous package at 177cm, heading into the 2020 draft.

As a middle-ager last year, Bannan was a steady contributor among the Knights’ stacked premiership side, averaging just under two goals per her nine games while also pinch-hitting in the ruck. She booted two majors from eight disposals in the Grand Final to cap off a consistent campaign, in which she also managed to bag two goals on five occasions and three goals, once. Bannan’s form was good enough to earn a berth at the Under 18 National Championships, where she claimed yet another two majors against Western Australia at Metricon Stadium.

In 2020, the athletically gifted forward has taken her game to new heights, upping her output inside 50 on all levels. Bannan has been dominant aerially with an average of 5.7 marks, credit to her height and clean hands, while continuing to utilise her speed across the ground to create diverse avenues to goal, apply forward pressure, and find more of the ball. She started the year off with a bang, booting a game-high five goals against Calder in Northern’s triumphant Round 1 Grand Final rematch, while carrying her form on to claim multiple goals in the following two outings.

Despite having assumed the role of Northern’s primary target inside attacking 50, Bannan’s ability to provide an outlet over the back and read the play as it unfolds means she isn’t merely a benefactor of the silver service her dominant side provides, but a bona fide star in her own right. Her versatility as a forward sets her apart from many other prospects over 175cm, and she is further developed than many of the raw products in the same category – certainly in her smarts and skills.

Should the NAB League Girls competition return in 2020, expect Bannan to pick up from right where she left off, as a spearhead for Northern and one of the more promising forwards of her draft class.