ONE of four Under 16s players to feature at the 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships so far this carnival for South Australia, Central District pocket rocket Georgia McKee is one to watch for the future. Despite standing at 160cm, the 2006-born McKee could easily transition into senior football at the highest level already, and is beating far more experienced players at SANFL Women’s level most weeks. In her debut season, McKee has been a revelation up forward, averaging around 15 disposals, three marks, three inside 50s and 1.3 goals per game, slotting 10 majors in eight appearances, including a match-winning four-goal haul against West Adelaide back in Round 3.

In this Player Focus though, we take a look at her performance against Vic Country, where she slotted another three goals from 22 disposals, backing up her 20-disposal and three-goal effort against Western Australia.

GEORGIA MCKEE PROFILE

DOB: 24/02/2006
Height: 160cm
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Club: Central District

SANFLW Averages: (8 games):

14.5 disposals
11.5 kicks
3.0 handballs
3.0 marks
3.5 tackles
1.5 clearances
3.1 inside 50s
1.3 goals
77% disposal efficiency

AFLW U18s Round 2:

South Australia 17.12 (114) defeated Vic Country 3.4 (22)

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER:

First Quarter

In what was ultimately a tight first term between South Australia and Vic Country, McKee did not have a great deal of impact on the game other than an early shot that was rushed across the line. Though she still got into good ball-winning positions, McKee had the three disposals, one mark and one tackle to warm into the match at Adelaide Oval.

Second Quarter

After that quiet first term, the 16-year-old lit it up in the second term, really stepping up and becoming a key factor in the game. Utilising her elite kicking skills on both sides, she amassed seven disposals, had two clearances and two inside 50s playing further afield. Aside from her work rolling through stoppages, she still hit the scoreboard, kicking two majors. Her first game by reading the ball off hands close to goal and running onto it to slot it home. Her second was a highlight-reel moment where at the top of 50, she gathered the ball and spun off her opponent. From long-range she launched instinctively towards goal and it bounced true.

Third Quarter

Her third term she remained involved in link-up between midfield and attack, finding plenty of the ball and being a distributor, by both hand and foot. She picked up another clearance, and recorded six disposals, in what followed on from her second term. Though she did not hit the scoreboard, it was more through her unselfishness, when teammate Hannah Ewings bombed long and McKee in the goalsquare opted to leave it to bounce through. Unfortunately the fickle nature of the oblong ball saw it bounce through for a behind instead. Her work rate was still on show getting up the ground then darting back towards goal quickly.

Fourth Quarter

The final term was a stampede for the home side, and McKee got in on the fun. She got on the end of a long Ewings kick close to goal, and got boot to ball in the goalsquare this time under pressure and slotted home her third. She continued to make waves and be involved with her evasion and silky skills on display. By the final siren, she had added yet another six disposals, as well as a mark and tackle to her name, which mean 19 disposals in three quarters, and 22 all up, as well as three goals in an impressive effort.

Closing Thoughts…

Though there are many ways to describe McKee’s impact on a game, on this occasion we will leave it up to her Central District captain Shelby Smith who said it best.

“She is a freak. There’s no other word to describe her,” she said after McKee’s Round 3 match-winning performance. “She kicks goals that not many other people could, so she’s one to watch out for. “I’d put money on it for her to be playing AFL and I can’t wait. “It’s an honour to play with someone like her.”