IN a Final Siren Podcast and Draft Central first, the team ran a “live” Phantom Draft for the upcoming AFL Women’s Draft. Assuming the role of the 14 list managers/recruiters, Peter Williams, Michael Alvaro and Declan Reeve selected pick-by-pick each of the clubs through to the end of the draft, and named others in contention. Each of the team’s selections were determined by list numbers or confirmed total selections clubs intended to take, with the podcast recorded prior to Geelong’s pre-listed players yesterday. Club-by-club comments from the Draft Central team member who selected for the team is included.

Note: All individual selection are the opinion of the selector at the time and do not necessarily represent club views nor those of the other individual selectors.

 — FINAL SIREN PODCAST 2021 AFLW PHANTOM DRAFT —

ADELAIDE:

#17 Zoe Prowse (Sturt)
#20 Gypsy Schirmer (South Adelaide)
#34 Brooke Tonon (Glenelg)
#47 Zoe Venning (West Adelaide)

Peter Williams says …

“As the sole team in South Australia currently, Adelaide’s selections are less tactical in the sense as there is not another opponent to deal with, but also knowing that nailing each pick when there is draftable talent that misses out makes it all the more difficult. The two AFL Women’s Academy members in ruck Zoe Prowse and speedy utility Gypsy Schirmer offer great versatility across the ground, with one of the big improvers this season, Brooke Tonon being the defensive option with great offensive abilities. The fourth selection gets a little trickier, but I opted for Zoe Venning after a sensationally-consistent year and offers that hardness around the ball and up forward. Others I considered were fellow teenage AFLW Draft Combine invites, Abbie Ballard, Lauren Breguet and Tahlita Buethke.”

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BRISBANE:

#18 Maggie Harmer (Maroochydore)
#35 Mikayla Pauga (Bond University)
#50 Abby Hewett (Wilston Grange)
#64 Bella Smith (Maroochydore)
#70 Christene Okesene (Yeronga South Brisbane)
#72 Steph O’Brien (University of Queensland)

Peter Williams says …

“Brisbane has an unbelievably strong Academy from which to hand pick players for this year’s AFL Women’s Draft. The two AFL Women’s Academy members in half-back/wing Maggie Harmer and high half-forward Mikayla Pauga were easy selections as top talents coming through the state program. Abby Hewett is as versatile as they come and offer great value at Pick 50 to be able to roll through any position, with inside midfielder Bella Smith a steal at Pick 64. Rounding out the half a dozen players, state captain Christene Okesene can immediately have an impact as a half-back with a powerful boot and strong one-on-one, whilst cross-coder Steph O’Brien earned an AFLW Draft Combine having had a successful state career in netball and really putting herself in the frame to be selected in the elite level Australian rules football. In terms of others considered, whilst we did not include mature-agers from other states who could have nominated Queensland, the likes of Georgia Nanscawen or former Queenslander Matilda Zander are others who might be ones on the board to take post-draft.”

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CARLTON:

#10 Tess Craven (Geelong Falcons)
#11 Tahlia Gillard (Calder Cannons)
#23 Brooke Vickers (Oakleigh Chargers)
#26 Eliza James (Oakleigh Chargers)
#40 Maeve Chaplin (Northern Knights)

Michael Alvaro says …

“The Blues are currently in some serious need of midfield depth and with this crop of Victorian talents, obtain a great balance of styles. Through trading, Carlton is in a great spot among the Victorian pool with its first two picks and at number 11, Tess Craven was too hard to pass up. The Geelong Falcons standout is a tough ball winner at the coalface, but also works hard to accumulate around the ground and makes great decisions. She’s a no-fuss type, and suits Carlton’s robust midfield mix. With Tayla Harris and Al Downie gone, Tahlia Gillard is a key position option who may be in high demand and was snapped up early as a result. At 190cm, she is a dominant kind of ruck who can also roll forward and remain relevant aerially. The Blues quite often dip into the Metro pool and after the success of Mimi Hill, may look at a couple more Oakleigh Chargers products in Brooke Vickers and Eliza James. The former likes to get forward off a wing or half-back, while the latter is an athletic midfielder-forward who offers dynamism and goal threat in either post. Rounding out the crop, Carlton may look towards its Northern link and give Maeve Chaplin her chance, after she earned a VFLW berth in the Blues’ reserves this year. She’s another versatile type who offers inside depth in midfield, but also great composure in defence.”

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COLLINGWOOD:

#30 Keeley Sherar (Eastern Ranges)
#32 Olivia Meagher (Eastern Ranges)
#33 Ingrid Houtsma (Geelong Falcons)
#63 Tegan Cunningham (Melbourne AFLW)

Peter Williams says …

“Collingwood has a strong affiliation with taking Eastern Ranges midfielders, and at Pick 30, Keeley Sherar was the top player on my draft board. Capable of being that smooth mover on the inside similar to ex-teammate Tarni Brown, Sherar was joined in the side by inside midfielder and also Collingwood VFLW representative, Olivia Meagher. The 19-year-old put in a body of work this year to earn the call-up, with another mature-ager in Tegan Cunningham taken with the final pick. The fact Cunningham nominated the draft after retiring shows a level of certainty that she will be picked up, and the Pies needing a strong marking key forward could do with Cunningham’s experience down there. A raw talent who is good in the air with great athleticism is Ingrid Houtsma, who was too good at Pick 34 to ignore and joins the black and white. Others considered were Collingwood VFL talents, Matilda Zander and Imogen Barnett, with Gippsland Power ruck Grace Matser a chance at Pick 63 to provide the ruck support whilst developing at the club.”

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FREMANTLE:

#14 Amy Franklin (Claremont)
#31 Dana East (Swan Districts)
#38 Makaela Tuhakaraina (South Fremantle)
#46 Bella Mann (Peel Thunder)
#60 Tessa Doumanis (Claremont)
#69 Pia Staltari (Sandringham Dragons)

Declan Reeve says …

“Fremantle are already a well rounded side, fortunately allowing a bit of freedom with their selections with West Coast getting first dibs at some of the upper end talent. Fremantle’s first pick ended up being Amy Franklin after West Coast selected Courtney Rowley, with Franklin’s versatility to play up either end in a key post and overall athleticism adding to their stocks of exciting talls. Dana East can come in and learn on the job from Kiara Bowers as an inside midfielder, with her hands in close bound to make the outside receivers happy. Makaela Tuhakaraina will provide a lot of speed in the forward line or on the wing. Bella Mann is a strong intercept marker down back and Tessa Doumanis is the teammate of Franklin at Claremont, able to get herself on the scoreboard with ease. Pia Staltari is a utility with good skills and speed that she uses to impact in all roles. With so many picks there were plenty of players that came into consideration at various times, Chloe Reilly was one I really thought about with picks 31 and 38, as well as Beth Schilling and Matilda Dyke for some key defensive reinforcement.”

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GEELONG:

#2 Georgie Prespakis (Calder Cannons)
#7 Stella Reid (Oakleigh Chargers)
#9 Ella Friend (GWV Rebels)
#15 Nyakoat Dojiok (GWV Rebels)
#52 Elizabeth Snell (Bendigo Pioneers)
#65 Olivia Fuller (Geelong VFLW)* (in podcast)
#65 Zali Friswell (Calder Cannons)

Declan Reeve says …

“Geelong has a strong draft hand, giving them the opportunity to load up on some of the top talents available in the Victorian pool, leading to me taking who I felt was the best player available with the first 4 selections. Georgie Prespakis is arguably one of the best female draft prospects the competition has seen to date, doing everything she could, including winning the NAB League best and fairest at 16, in the lead up to the 2021 draft. Both Stella Reid and Ella Friend are versatile left footers who have played in all thirds of the ground this year, providing ‘plug and play’ options for Geelong, with Friend being Key Position height. Nyakoat Dojiok is an athletic prospect that has improved game on game, providing run out of the backline for GWV Rebels and Vic Country. At the two later suggestions, Elizabeth Snell was a value selection with her athletic profile, two way running and experience all key features of hers, as well as Geelong VFLW Ruck Olivia Fuller to provide some depth in that area. I strongly considered locals Tess Craven and Annie Lee with picks 7 and 9, as well as Elizabeth Dowling, Zali Friswell and Grace Matser with the last two selections, with all enjoying solid NAB League seasons. With Fuller being announced as a pre-draft selection, I opted for Friswell with the replacement pick.”

*Note: The podcast was recorded prior to Geelong announcing Fuller as a pre-draft selection, which would make her ineligible for the draft, in which case Declan selected Zali Friswell post-recording as the next on his list*

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GOLD COAST:

#1 Charlie Rowbottom (Oakleigh Chargers)
#6 Teagan Levi (Bond University)
#8 Madison Goodwin (Yeronga South Brisbane)
#30 Grace Mulvahil (Southern Districts/NT)

Declan Reeve says …

“Gold Coast are bound to have a good draft between their NT and Queensland Academy zones, as well as arguably the best prospect of the draft Charlie Rowbottom, nominating for Queensland, making their selections relatively easy. Rowbottom was the first selection, with her athleticism and ability to impact in the midfield and up forward two of her key strengths that will allow her to play early on. Academy member Teagan Levi will offer a lot of zip in the midfield, with her agility sure to cause some headaches for opposition at the next level. Following on the athletic prospects was Maddison Goodwin, who set a new all-time standing vertical jump record at the recent Queensland State Combine. To wrap up the draft I went with NT defender Grace Mulvahil who will add a touch of composure and aerial strength to their defence. Key position academy pair Giselle Davies and Casey Wynne were considered for the later two picks after solid QAFLW seasons.”

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GWS GIANTS:

#37 Ally Morphett (Murray Bushrangers)
#56 Jess Doyle (Manly-Warringah)
#67 Brodee Mowbray (Southern Power)
#71 Georgie Fowler (East Coast Eagles)

Declan Reeve says …

“The GIANTS selections were pretty straight forward given they won’t be competing with other clubs for players in the NSW/ACT pool. Ally Morphett was first up, with the GWS Academy ruck, a contested beast who can outmuscle opponents well to win taps and marks up forward. Jessica Doyle was the Swans Academy captain but will spend at least the early stages of her career in the charcoal and orange, bringing clean ball use and consistent scoreboard impact with her. Browdee Mowbray is a two way running midfielder who loves to tackle and Georgie Fowler is an exciting forward who can hit the scoreboard well. Key position prospects Maddie Hendrie and Teagan Germech were also considered with the last two picks as the other combine invitees from the region.”

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MELBOURNE:

#42 Georgia Campbell (Eastern Ranges)
#44 Maykaylah Appleby (Northern Knights)
#49 Imogen Milford (Casey Demons VFLW)

Declan Reeve says …

“Melbourne invested heavily in the trade period bringing in established talent in exchange for early draft picks, making their selections some of the more interesting with all of them coming from the third round onwards. Georgia Campbell made the decision to nominate for Melbourne under the father-daughter rules, despite also being available for the Western Bulldogs under the same rule, and will more than likely chew up their first selection come draft night. Campbell is arguably the best ruck prospect in Victoria, and her supreme athleticism means she’s got the scope to play a variety of roles with the right development coaching. Winger Maykaylah Appleby possesses great speed and confidence with ball in hand to take the game on, whilst Casey Demons tall Imogen Milford is mobile on field and knows where the goals are, ending the season as runner up leading goal scorer in the VFLW. I also considered Zali Friswell and Ashleigh Richards with the final two picks for additional midfield support.”

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NORTH MELBOURNE:

#13 Emelia Yassir (Calder Cannons)
#19 Poppy Schaap (Geelong Falcons)
#28 Meagan Kiely (North Melbourne VFLW)
#45 Perri King (Tasmania Devils)
#59 Sarah Skinner (North Melbourne VFLW)
#68 Kim Rennie (Western Bulldogs)

Peter Williams says …

“North Melbourne have some talented Tasmanians coming through their junior and senior ranks, which made the last few selections fairly easy. Top 10 in my Power Rankings, Perri King would be a steal at Pick 45, with fellow Tasmanian and North Melbourne VFLW talent Sarah Skinner also earning a call-up the elite level after some terrific consistency this year. VFLW skipper Meagan Kiely, whilst not eligible under the Tasmanian connection, would be one in serious consideration to make an immediate impact in the middle at AFLW level, and like Skinner has been sensational at state level. The first two selections were more tricky with North potentially needing some talls, but with Kim Rennie coming with the last pick, I opted to go at the other end of the scale and picked up Emelia Yassir and Poppy Schaap who are two hard nuts with clean hands and capable to creating inside 50. I considered going fellow clean user Brooke Vickers, GWV defender Nyakoat Dojiok or Falcons defender Annie Lee with the two early selections as well. Other Tasmanians who might come into consideration include Ella Maurer and Jemma Blair who both had time with the Kangaroos in the VFLW program.”

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RICHMOND:

#5 Tara Slender (Bendigo Pioneers)
#16 Aurora Smith (Murray Bushrangers)
#55 Sophie Locke (Port Melbourne VFLW)
#57 Chloe Leonard (GWV Rebels)
#66 Jorja Livingstone (Eastern Ranges)

Michael Alvaro says …

“With two picks at the top end and a few late selections with which to extract value, Richmond has the chance to bring in a really strong crop. With pick five, third in the Victorian pool, the Tigers would likely be stoked by the opportunity to take Tara Slender. The Bendigo Pioneers standout is a modern day prototype, able to play any position at 175cm. She could come into the side as a key forward or defender, with potential to provide some important long-term cover in the midfield. Speaking of, Aurora Smith adds terrific running power at pick 16. The Murray Bushrangers best and fairest is quite balanced, but looks more comfortable on the wing and would allow a player like Ellie McKenzie to attend more centre bounces. The acquisition of Sophie Locke looms as a familiar one and would be a great story after she was overlooked in her initial draft year. Another Murray product, she found her spot up forward for Port Melbourne in 2021 and is lively around goal. GWV midfielder/defender Chloe Leonard suits the Richmond way and could be one who plays a role early at the next level, while Eastern Ranges winger Jorja Livingstone rounds out the crop as a potential father-daughter choice. Richmond may purely look towards midfield depth in the first round, or some late key forward support to mix up the above combination.”

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ST KILDA:

#4 Amanda Ling (Oakleigh Chargers)
#12 Jaide Anthony (Dandenong Stingrays)
#36 Tahlia Meier (GWV Rebels)

Michael Alvaro says …

“While this three-player haul may look relatively straightforward, St Kilda is perched in a position which requires a lot of hard thinking. With pick four, the second of the Victorian pool, there are a bunch of prospects in the pipeline. With the need of midfield depth in mind and given the style of young stars Tyanna Smith and Georgia Patrikios, Amanda Ling seems like the perfect fold for them. Best afield in Oakleigh’s NAB League premiership triumph, Ling is a 19th year talent with great desire and work-rate at the contest, where her clean hands and sound decision making shine. The Saints could also get a handy slider with pick 12, and there would be high value in selecting Jaide Anthony in this range. The tough Dandenong Stingrays defender was Vic Country’s Under 19 MVP and plays above her 166cm standing with courage and athleticism. She would also maintain the strong link between Dandenong and St Kilda. Down the order, GWV small forward Tahlia Meier could be one the Saints look at with goals in mind, given her knack for finding them. They could also go down the route of targeting a taller type to support Caitlin Greiser, with mature-agers Tegan Cunningham and Leah Kaslar potentially up for grabs.”

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WEST COAST:

#3 Courtney Rowley (Peel Thunder)
#21 Sarah Lakay (Swan Districts)
#24 Charlotte Thomas (Subiaco)
#41 Chloe Reilly (East Fremantle)
#53 Emily Bennett (Claremont)

Peter Williams says …

“West Coast has a really strong draft hand, with three of the first four selections in the West Australian pool. Weighing up between tall and small with the first selection, I opted to go Peel Thunder’s Courtney Rowley to add that touch of class to the midfield with the Eagles, and then back up with a couple of taller options in ruck Sarah Lakay and versatile talent Charlie Thomas. All three are different prospects and add a dynamic mix to the team. Versatile small Chloe Reilly represents value as one who could improve in the future and has strong hands and a booming kick, much like Emily Bennett out of Claremont. Both are highly competitive, and Bennett has put together a consistent season for me to pick her up with the final selection for the Eagles. Amy Franklin is a clear consideration for the first selection, in which case it would trigger a different set of next selections, with Dana East being that pure midfield option. Beth Schilling was another potential pick-up late in the mix as well.”

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WESTERN BULLDOGS:

#22 Annie Lee (Geelong Falcons)
#25 Gabbi Featherston (Geelong Falcons)
#27 Brooke Hards (Western Bulldogs VFLW)

Peter Williams says …

“The Western Bulldogs selections were not what I expected coming into the draft, but in the end I opted for best available with each selection. Having three picks so close together, it was a case of waiting and seeing who was on the board at the time and snapping up the respective highest players on my Power Rankings. Whilst Geelong might have overlooked the Falcons in this draft much to my surprise, I was more than happy to pick up my ninth ranked player Annie Lee at Pick 22, with my 15th ranked talent Gabbi Featherston at Pick 25. The Falcons duo can provide some great excitement up either end, and provide some good aerial support despite not being key position players. Featherston can also chop out in the ruck despite being sub-170cm, which is an area the Dogs might look for given the departure of Kim Rennie. With the final selection I went internal and picked up the 20th ranked player in my Power Rankings in Brooke Hards, having played every game for the Bulldogs this season and her versatility to play across the field, along with her athleticism like Featherston, will provide great scope for the future. I strongly considered taking Brooke Vickers with the first selection, whilst Keeley Sherar and Ingrid Houtsma were others in the mix, as was Maeve Chaplin and Maykaylah Appleby to follow on the recent trend of Northern Knights at the Bulldogs.”