OVER the next four days, Rookie Me Central will take a look at all the Victorian Country and Metro players who were named in the 2022 Victorian State Hub ahead of the 2022 season. Both top-age (2022 AFL and AFLW Draft-eligible) and bottom-age (2023 AFL and AFLW Draft-eligible) have been included, and we’ll run through a few to watch as well.
>> 2022 Vic Country Girls Hub: Full List
ONES TO WATCH
Charlotte Baskaran
09/12/2004 | 162cm | Balanced Midfielder
Western Jets/Vic Metro
Potent by foot, Baskaran is one of two Western Jets talents who have been touted as top picks since they were 15-years-old. Baskaran began her NAB League Girls career off half-back, progressed to a wing, and then eventually moved inside in 2021. Her ball use and decision making is top shelf, and her ability to play multiple roles and set up team attacks is what sets her aside from others. Whilst she might be smaller than most other prospects at 162cm, she has the traits that will see clubs overlook that fact.
>> CHARLOTTE BASKARAN PROFILE & STATS
Mia Busch
18/05/2004 | 166cm | Medium Defender
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
The impressive Busch really caught the eye throughout the 2021 NAB League Girls season. Making her debut for the Eastern Ranges after not managing a game in the shortened 2020 season, Busch became a mainstay in defence and one of the top defenders in the competition. She averaged 15.1 disposals, 2.8 marks, 3.5 tackles and 3.5 rebound 50s, becoming one of the most consistent players and reliable users out of the back 50.
Jasmine Fleming
05/11/2004 | 165cm | Balanced Midfielder
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Fleming is arguably the top AFLW Draft prospect that is flying cooly under the radar.What makes Fleming standout from others is her ability to attack the hard or loose ball, have those first few steps away from the contest to create separation, or weave with a killer sidestep to ankle-break anyone standing in her way. Then, Fleming is able to dish off with a lovely pinpoint pass inside 50. From a pure talent and traits perspective, Fleming is right up there with the best possible players in next year’s AFLW Draft crop.
>> JASMINE FLEMING PROFILE & STATS
Montana Ham
29/03/2004 | 178cm | Inside Midfielder
Western Jets/Vic Metro
A tall inside midfielder, Ham is an imposing player at her best, and hard to stop at junior level. She can move well around the ground, take those contested marks and thump the ball forward to clear defensive zones, which really make her a valuable commodity within a team. Whilst a lot of the top Victorian talents are smaller players, Ham bucks that trend, and whilst she might have the size to ruck, she is a genuine midfielder who can rest forward and be a target.
>> MONTANA HAM PROFILE & STATS
Bridie Hipwell
15/06/2004 | 174cm | Inside Midfielder
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
A tall inside midfielder who can weave her way out of congestion, Hipwell has some nice footy smarts to go with her strong frame. Capable of having a quick first few steps, the Sandringham Dragons midfielder can provide some movement in transition, averaging 12.5 disposals and almost three inside 50s per game. She also represented Vic Metro at both Under 17s and Under 19s level and looms as an important cog in the Dragons midfield next year.
>> BRIDIE HIPWELL PROFILE & STATS
Sofia Hurley
30/01/2004 | 166cm | Balanced Midfielder
Sandringham Dragons
One of the classiest players in the AFLW Draft crop, Hurley complements Hipwell perfectly in the Dragons midfield. She is smaller and lighter, but more nimble and very aware of the space around her. Hurley can get herself out of trouble and dance around opponents, whilst using the ball well by hand or foot going forward. Like Hipwell, Hurley played at both Under 17s and Under 19s level for Vic Metro, and averaged 18.1 disposals, 4.7 tackles and 3.9 inside 50s per game for the Dragons.
>> SOFIA HURLEY PROFILE & STATS
VICTORIA METRO GIRLS
Charlotte Baskaran (Western Jets | 162cm)
Mia Busch (Eastern Ranges | 166cm)
Ava Campbell (Eastern Ranges | 174cm)
Keely Coyne (Sandringham Dragons | 163cm)
Jasmine Fleming (Oakleigh Chargers | 165cm)
Montana Ham (Western Jets | 178cm)
Lily Hart (Oakleigh Chargers | 161cm)
Bridie Hipwell (Sandringham Dragons | 174cm)
Sofia Hurley (Sandringham Dragons | 166cm)
Ava Jordan (Northern Knights | 144cm)
Abbey McDonald (Calder Cannons | 162cm)
Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges | 160cm)
Brooke Plummer (Northern Knights | 165cm)
Krystal Russell (Western Jets | 179cm)
Amelie Smith (Oakleigh Chargers | 175cm)
Charlotte Taylor (Oakleigh Chargers | 177cm)
Kiera Whiley (Western Jets | 168cm)
Rylie Wilcox (Northern Knights | 157cm)
2024 AFLW Draft review: Western Bulldogs
FILLING out some key position needs at the 2024 AFLW Draft while picking a couple of Oakleigh Chargers premiership players proved to be the strategy for the Western Bulldogs. The Dogs managed to grab a much needed forward target to partner up with Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, as well as an experienced ruck, and gut-running midfielder. >> […]
2024 AFLW Draft review: West Coast
WEST Coast capitalised on a truly National AFLW Draft by picking up four players outside of Western Australia. Two Victorians and two South Australians made their way to the blue and gold, with strength and pressure key elements for the Eagles at this year’s AFLW Draft. >> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Recap DRAFT HAUL […]
2024 AFLW Draft review: Sydney
WITH a large gap between its first and second selections, Sydney opted for a trio of familiar faces with its last three picks after grabbing one of the fastest players in the AFLW Draft at Pick 5. >> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Recap DRAFT HAUL National Draft: 5. Zippy Fish55. Amelia Martin58. Caitlin Reid59. […]
2024 AFLW Draft review: St Kilda
AFTER trading out its first round selection on AFLW Trade Deadline Day, St Kilda headed into the AFLW Draft with the three selections, and just one inside the Top 50. They secured an athletic tall out of the Dandenong Stingrays, as well as an ultimate utility, and and ex-Gold Coast Suns top 20 pick. >> […]
2024 AFLW Draft review: Richmond
BEEFING up its power and inside midfield, Richmond added some serious talent to its young brigade with two first round picks, before drafting the player it failed to secure during the AFLW Trade Period, with the selection it likely offered up to begin with anyway. >> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Recap DRAFT HAUL National […]
2024 AFLW Draft review: Port Adelaide
IT WAS another active AFLW Draft for Port Adelaide, with the South Australian side adding five top-age players across four states to its list. By doing so, the Power filled a variety of positional needs and look to continue their rise up the ladder in 2025. >> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Recap DRAFT HAUL […]
2024 AFLW Draft review: North Melbourne
NORTH Melbourne traded out of the first round in the 2024 AFL Women’s Draft but somehow still grabbed a top talent with Pick 36, before turning its attention to an Irishwoman to add to the Roos’ strong Gaelic flavour at the club. >> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Recap DRAFT HAUL National Draft: 36. Claire […]
2024 AFLW Draft review: Melbourne
AN EXPLOSIVE and versatile top-end tall along with a competitive small highlighted Melbourne’s early AFLW Draft selections, followed by taking a punt on an indoor hockey player with the last pick in the draft. >> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Recap DRAFT HAUL National Draft: 3. Molly O’Hehir21. Maggie Mahony60. Amelia Dethridge Coming into the […]
2024 AFLW Draft review: Hawthorn
HAWTHORN wasted no time rolling the dice in the 2024 AFLW Draft, preferring players with huge upside. The brown and gold went for predominantly taller players, though the underlying theme was elite athleticism, so the Hawks will have no problems providing speed on the ball in any third of the ground. >> EVERY PICK: National […]
