IN a unique series for the lead-up to the 2022 AFL Women’s Season 7, Rookie Me Central will look at 10 players to watch this year who have played under 10 games. Whilst it would be easy to pick those who finished high in last year’s Rising Star, or top picks this year, we have opted to look at players who have been around for at least two seasons – or in previous years – but have only managed to play nine games or less. Next up in the series is Gold Coast talent Annise Bradfield.
Bradfield is the first player in this series coming off an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that derailed the start of her career before it got going. In just her second AFL Women’s match, Bradfield went down with the long-term knee injury back in 2021, and now just over 12 months later – and sitting out the 2022 season – Bradfield is back and ready to have an impact in Season 7.
The Gold Coast Suns Academy member played at her bottom-age championships in 2019 before COVID-19 put an end to any national carnivals in 2020. Taken with Pick 7 in the AFL Women’s Draft that year, Bradfield came in with plenty of hope for the season ahead, but went down with her knee injury so early in her career. She is a player who could predominantly play forward, but can role through the midfield which is where she played at junior level, standing at 172cm and providing a target. As a December birth, Bradfield only turns 20 later this year, so is still a teenager for the upcoming season.
Highly rated by the club as shown by being the first player taken in the 2020 AFLW Draft, Bradfield is expected to slot into the team when fully fit. As a former hockey player prior to focusing on her Australian rules football career, Bradfield has plenty of experience when it comes to sport, and is someone who might not be thought of straight away when it comes to players to watch given she did just have the one touch prior to doing her knee. There is no denying her talent though, and Bradfield is a player who can have a real influence with ball-in-hand for the Suns now she is back and firing after that injury.
Port powers past Hawks after epic tussle
AFTER an incredible fourth quarter comeback, Port Adelaide is through to its first ever AFL Women’s Preliminary Final after defeating Hawthorn by the slimmest of margins last night. Perhaps still trying to calm the heart rate after the chaos of the final five minutes of the quarter, Power coach Lauren Arnell admitted that it was […]
Clarke’s Crows reach another prelim
ADELAIDE has won through to yet another AFL Women’s Preliminary Final, this time comprehensively beating Fremantle to set up a date with fellow perennial contenders Brisbane next week. Reflecting on the game post-match, Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke said that the Crows were “rapt” with how the game panned out. “I thought that probably the first […]
PREVIEW | AFLW 2024: Semi-Final 2
TODAY’s second AFLW Semi-Final sees this year’s two finals debutants – who had vastly different experiences making their finals debuts last week – square off for a chance to meet North Melbourne next week in a preliminary final.
PREVIEW | AFLW 2024: Semi-Final 1
THE TRULY cutthroat part of AFL Women’s finals gets underway today, with a semi-final between two stalwarts of the competition that have both seen their share of finals in their time.
Charlie crowned golden champion again
AS the AFL Women’s season starts to wind down, clubs are starting to award their club best and fairest awards, recognising the stars of the season. In this new series from Rookie Me Central, we take a look at the seasons of these club champions and what led them to have such stellar seasons. […]
2024 AFLW All-Australian Squad named
THE HIGHLY anticipated AFL Women’s All-Australian Squad has been revealed, with plenty of intriguing choices among the 42-strong squad. Included the squad are the likes of Jasmine Garner and Ebony Marinoff who are in contention for their seventh All-Australian blazer, and at the other end of the scale there are 21 players who could pick […]
Chiocci calls time, reflects on pioneering career
ANOTHER pioneer of the AFL Women’s competition has retired from the competition, with former Pies skipper turned Saint Steph Chiocci calling time on her AFLW career at the conclusion of St Kilda’s season a few weeks ago. However, although she was one of the biggest names of the competition in its infancy, the ever humble […]
Port Adelaide notch up first final win over Richmond
MAKING the most of their home elimination final, Port Adelaide were convincing winners over Richmond on Sunday afternoon. Continuing their seven-game winning streak, they won the contest by 24 points in a high-scoring affair. As a result of their 11.6 (72) score, Port Adelaide brought up their second-highest score in the competition. Port Adelaide forwards […]
Lions show experience and class to outlast Hawks
BRISBANE is through to yet another AFL Women’s Preliminary Final after downing Hawthorn by a mere goal in yesterday’s Qualifying Final. After such a close result, Lions coach Craig Starcevich admitted post match he was feeling a “bit of relief, like there is after most games.” “But credit to Hawthorn and the way Daniel’s prepared […]
