IN a new weekly piece on Rookie Me Central, we hone in on those players to remember for the AFLW Draft, present and future. With four new AFLW clubs joining the competition, spots will heat up, and players will be looking to put their best foot forward. For this piece, we have looked at those players who might not be catching the headlines, but are worth both clubs and fans keeping an eye on. Here’s what we took out of the NAB League Girls, WAFL Women’s and SANFL Women’s with VFL Women’s on a bye.

PRESENT (2022 AFLW Draft)

Rebel with a cause

One of the most impressive performers from the 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships all-Victorian clash on the weekend was GWV Rebels’ Jamie-Lee Speakman. Having returned in 2022 after a long-term injury, Speakman has pieced together a strong NAB League Girls season, averaging 14.5 disposals, 5.3 marks, 2.2 tackles and 4.2 rebound 50s for 2022. Having even spent time forward in later weeks – which affected her overall average – the 162cm talent was back to her best in defence for Country despite her side’s 53-point loss to Metro.

Speakman might only stand at 162cm, but she plays taller than that, and though she is not one to match up on a key position player too often, she will take any task thrown at her. Speakman is best utilised as a rebounding defender, having a long kick, and enough composure to use the ball under pressure. She is clean by hand or foot more often than not, and is definitely what one would call a kick-first player. Her overhead marking is another strength, and one of her better traits, particularly for her size.

If there was an area that Speakman could improve further, it would be her defensive attributes in the tackling sense. That is not to say she is not accountable, because she is very good one-on-one and takes on many, but she is definitely on the lower side for ground level pressure compared to some defenders. This can also be attributed to the fact she is often the one running out of defence with the ball, but nonetheless, Speakman has a well-rounded offensive game when it comes to defenders, and is one to keep in mind for this year’s AFLW Draft.

Robinson stars in understrength win

The Dandenong Stingrays have the best depth in the NAB League, so it was no surprise to see them still get the win despite a plethora of players out of the side. The biggest surprise was perhaps the fact that Olivia Robinson was still in the side and not donning the ‘Big V’, but if there was any doubt prior to Round 9 that she was among the most talented not playing in the clash at Mars Stadium, then she put that to bed with a best on ground performance for the Stingrays against the Knights. Robinson racked up 26 disposals, three marks, five tackles, six inside 50s, five rebound 50s and two goals in a ridiculous effort.

Bushby best-on in Swans’ win

Having built some impressive form in recent weeks, top-age Swan Districts midfielder-forward Abbygail Bushby had a breakout game in the WAFL Women’s. Though her recent performances were not too far off the mark, Bushby produced a fairly complete all-round effort against Peel Thunder in the rematch of the 2021 WAFL Women’s Grand Final. Bushby had nine more disposals than any other teammate on her way to 27 touches, as well as an equal team-high in marks (five) and team-high for inside 50s (six), as well as four tackles and a goal. She has some nice athletic traits, a neat left foot when given time and space, and though she is not always consistent with her disposal and impact throughout four quarters, the win over Peel was the most consistent in both areas yet.

‘The Borgenator’ returns with big game

Playing her best game for the year from an offensive standpoint, North Adelaide teenager Amelie Borg is hitting her straps coming into the 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships. South Adelaide will be a young state side compared to others, and she will be a key leader considering she was one of only two players there last year, who remain in the State Academy. Borg has earned herself the nickname ‘The Borgenator’ – as revealed by coach Krissie Steen in preseason – and she was outstanding on the weekend as she amassed 15 disposals, five marks – one contested – two clearances, two inside 50s and four rebound 50s in an eye-catching performance off half-back.

Queensland state league footy about to kick off

Though the above mostly focuses on what has happened, it is worth keeping an eye on what is about to happen, and that is Round 1 of the Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) Women’s competition. There are plenty of Sunshine State talents to watch, with Bond University being a paricularly strong hub for the Suns Academy. Imogen Evans, Jasmyn Smith, Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap and Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap have all joined the Bull Sharks for the season, whilst AFLW Academy member Fleur Davies‘ Southport side enters the top flight for the first time. Davies is joined at the Sharks by top Queensland prospect and fellow AFLW Academy member Alana Gee. From a Brisbane Lions perspective, Aspley has a great one-two midfield punch with the Lions sole Academy member Ella Smith at the Hornets alongside Charlotte Mullins. The University of Queensland also has a couple of strong talents in midfielder Ava Seton and dangerous forward Kadie Fletcher

FUTURE (2023 AFLW Draft and Beyond)

Jets duo fly high

In the absence of some high-profile top-age Western Jets players, a couple of Under 16s talents shone during the Jets’ victory over GWV Rebels at Mars Stadium on Saturday. Lou-Lou Field racked up 20 disposals, six marks, eight tackles, seven inside 50s and six rebound 50s in a best on ground performance during the seven-goal win. Her clean skills, footy IQ and strong hands made her catch the eye, and is a valuable player who will no doubt have a larger midfield presence in her bottom-age year next season. Fellow 2006-born teammate Sierra Grieves also hit a career-high 20 touches, to go with two marks, three tackles and six inside 50s during the victory. Possessing similar high-level talent, Grieves even kicked a clever goal, and her past month spending time further afield has boosted her numbers.

Riggs the Rock in Bulldogs defence

Under 16s talent Charlotte Riggs has shown promising signs in her debut SANFL Women’s season this year, but her game against Sturt on the weekend was one to savour. Statistically she picked up the nine disposals, two tackles and two hitouts often playing in the defensive half, but it was her aerial prowess that really caught the the eye. Her ability to clunk marks – which this season has been good but not always 100 per cent consistent – was on full display, including late in the game with just a kick separating the sides. In the dying seconds of the match, Sturt was fiercely attacking, and the ball was kicked to half-forward where the Double Blues needed a mark amongst a pack of players. Riggs did her best impression of Leo Barry in the 2005 Grand Final, leaping up and pulling down her fourth mark – and second contested – for the game to ensure the Dogs got home and upset the ladder leaders.