NOW the AFLW Draft Combine invitees have been named, the focus of the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s Academy notes piece will look to those draft-eligible players and how they perform each week. These notes will be separate to the game-by-game notes, which will now focus on bottom-age talents and others who catch the eye.

As always, notes are the opinion of the individual author.

AFLW Draft Combine invitees:

Jaide Britton (Peel Thunder)

Producing another eye-catching performance on the wing, the speedster had a number of strong dashes down the ground including a multiple-bounce run in the second term that went all the way through the forward 50, but just missed the last kick on goal after that gut-running effort. She had a couple of similar attempts which included one in the third term setting up a goal to Kate Bartlett, and continued to be dangerous with her disposal. She showed clean hands on the outside, and laid some fierce tackles to put together an all-round consistent performance once again. Britton had 13 disposals, one mark, six tackles and six inside 50s.

Abbygail Bushby (Swan Districts)

Found a truckload of the ball and worked hard around the ground to provide an option. Though her kicking can be inconsistent at times, her technique is good. It is just between the pressure of the opposition and her ability to win the ball and drive it forward, it might be a case of just having that touch more composure. When she is on-song, Bushby can hit targets with ease and win the ball inside and out, and once she finds that consistency, she can take her game to another level. In saying that, she was still a standout in a tough game, with very few players able to find the space that even Bushby had, and she took a game-high six marks to be one of the clear standouts for the Swans. Bushby managed 21 disposals, six marks and four inside 50s.

Sasha Goranova (Claremont)

Cracking in hard as she often does, Goranova showed her strength when tackled to still get her hands away when tackle, and also set up a number of scoring chains with a quick flick handball to teammates in transition. Goranova was able to hit passes off either side of her body which proved effective, and she was just consistent throughout. Though not the most explosive player, Goranova has good strength to draw a crowd and then give off to a running teammates such as Smith, helping set up her captain’s second goal.

Bella Mann (Peel Thunder)

It was a quieter game for Mann after last week, but playing in defence she also had a lot less work to do. When she did push up to a contest, she showed good strength inside, and then was able to mop up in defence with a long, thumping kick out of the back 50 in the third term. She also pulled down a terrific contested grab later in the quarter. Mann managed six disposals, three marks and one tackle.

Ella Roberts (Peel Thunder)

It was no surprise to see the top AFLW Draft talent look a little sluggish at first, having very little preparation leading into the game. She was caught a couple of times and forced to rush her disposal, but worked her way into the game. She was still clean at ground level and in the air, and applied pressure to opposition players, Her run-down tackle in the fourth term at half-forward was absolutely elite and showed her intent on the game. Her sole goal came from a downfield free kick after tempers flared in the middle of the ground, converting the set shot with ease. Early in the match she had a couple of flying shots that were intercept in the goalsquare. Roberts finished with 14 disposals, two tackles, five inside 50s and a goal.

Madeleine Scanlon (Claremont)

Playing off half-back, Scanlon has some impressive potential for the future because of her attack on the ball and technique with ball-in-and. She is a long kick of the footy, even getting forward to receive the handball top of 50 and have a flying shot, but just went to the right in the second term. She attacked the contested hard in the second term, and mopped up in defence. Her kicking in general, particularly when kicking laterally or chipping to teammates was not always pinpoint, but what stood out about Scanlon was after missing a kick she went over to help out with a second effort and win it back. Scanlon also had a nice handball in transition in the third term to open up a play down the corridor.

Ella Smith (Claremont)

Smith tore open the Bulldogs in the opening term, racking up seven disposals, two marks, three inside 50s and two goals, before predominantly playing forward later in the game. The Claremont captain set the tone for her side, finding space on the turnover in the opening term to use a nice burst to kick the Tigers’ second goal, then kicked another one after having a one-two in the middle, but on the jets and slammed another home from 40m. Her contested work and defensive pressure has never been in question, but now her offensive game and knowing how to fully use her quick few steps makes her as much of an offensive weapon as a defensive one, and is the most consistent mature-ager in the WAFLW. Throughout the game she showed great hands in the wet, often putting it to the danger zones and bounces back from contact without any worries.

FUTURE TALENTS:

Liliana Grassenis (West Perth)

The West Perth defender slogged it out in the wet and provided plenty of rebound and contest in the air and at ground level. Her kicking is a work in progress at the best of times, and the conditions made it even tougher. Regardless, Grassenis did her best to mop up and clear it outside the danger zone, even if just temporarily to ensure the Lions did not have it all their own way. Grassenis had 13 disposals and seven tackles.

Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)

The Swan Districts midfielder had a tough day at the office, starting in her traditional #11 before donning the #20 for the last term. She cracked in hard and won her fair share of touches, not able to find much space on the outside, and forced to work hard when she did win it. Overall she was arguably Swans’ best, and usually efficient with ball-in-hand when she did win it. Henry amassed 15 disposals, four marks, two tackles and two inside 50 in the loss to Peel.

Megan Norbury (West Perth)

The winger spent most of her time inside the defensive 50 such was the slog that resulted in Subiaco camping the ball inside 50. Like basically everyone on the field, Norbury could have her normal influence on the field, with her usual skill and impact affected by the conditions. In saying that, she still caught the eye working hard through it, trying to provide a bit of class and dash and was one of the Falcons better players on the day. Norbury racked up 19 disposals, three marks, one tackle and one inside 50.

Kaitlyn Srhoj (Peel Thunder)

The bottom-ager was best on ground for her running and determination throughout the game. She backs herself, breaks the lines, and also rolled with the punches copping a number of big hits. She showed plenty of dare and willingness to be creative with her metres gained, and though she still has to sharpen up her efficiency and decision making, Srhoj is a player to watch for next year’s AFLW Draft.