AN exciting small who has developed her game from being a classy and athletic forward to a genuine winger, Rylie Wilcox produced a big season, despite it being injury interrupted. Wilcox missed up to four NAB League Girls games between a combination of a rib injury and the AFLW Under 18 Championships clash against Vic Country, managing five matches in the competition. Despite that, she still had a highly impressive season, averaging 20-plus disposals and more than five marks and five inside 50s per game, as well as more than three tackles and three rebound 50s.

Today’s Player Focus narrows in on her latest representative outing, in Vic Metro’s 31-point win over Queensland at Metricon Stadium. She finished with 16 disposals, three inside 50s and two goals in a scintillating effort off the wing, which helped her side kick away from the valiant Maroons.

RYLIE WILCOX PROFILE

DOB: 03/12/2004
Height: 158cm
Position: Winger/Forward
Club: Northern Knights

2022 NAB League Girls Averages: (5 games):

20.2 disposals
15.2 kicks
5.0 handballs
5.4 marks
3.4 tackles
5.0 inside 50s
3.0 rebound 50s
0.4 goals

AFLW U18s Round 2:

Vic Metro 7.17 (59) defeated Queensland 4.4 (28)

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER:

First Quarter

The dynamic talent started off on a wing and worked hard up and down the ground, able to find four touches in the first term. Though on paper it might not look like much, Wilcox won an intercept ball early on the wing and kicked inside 50, then had another inside 50 that was unfortunately intercepted. She kept buzzing around the stoppage and took her sole mark for the game to go with her four touches and two inside 50s,

Second Quarter

Wilcox came alive in the second term, starting to amass touches, but mostly looking to create possibilities forward or centre whenever she saw an opportunity. Wilcox had a quick kick from half-back to the wing, covering ground well, then showed her ability to cover the ground when she kicked a fantastic goal inside 50. Clean each time she went near it, the Northern Knights small then set up a shot to Jacinta Hose inside 50, and almost looked likely to score whenever she was in the forward half. Wilcox moved up to nine disposals after five in the term, kicking a goal and having a rebound 50.

Third Quarter

Her third term started with a nice run to go inside 50, but her shot on goal just missed to the right. It was a good effort, and then she had a chance rom the set shot when she was out-bodied by Ella Smith and it was deemed to be an illegal push. She made no mistake, kicking a goal from the set shot less than three minutes into the term. She won another free kick later in the quarter, this time from a high hip and shoulder from Queensland ruck Fleur Davies. Wilcox had another four touches in the term, as well as one inside 50, one goal and the two free kicks.

Fourth Quarter

Though Wilcox finished off with a quieter final term, it was largely due to Queensland having more of the ball in the last 20 minutes. She did have a flying shot on goal from 40m that seemed to sail through, but it was just touched on the line and deemed a behind. Capping off the game, Wilcox added an additional three touches, one more free kick, one clearance and a rebound 50 to her name.

Closing Thoughts…

Rylie Wilcox does not need a lot of disposals to do a lot of damage, and that was evident in her ability to find enough of the ball to create opportunities for both herself and her side, and she was able to hit the scoreboard with two majors. Wilcox is capable of playing as either a small forward or on the wing, and her work rate is incredible, which allows her to win the ball in each of the thirds.