AS PART of a new series leading into the 2023 Western Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s season, we count down 23 players to watch who are under 23. We are looking only at players who were born January 1, 2000 or later, have played a WAFL Women’s senior match, and have never been on an AFL Women’s list. Today we continue our countdown at number #2 with East Fremantle key forward/ruck Georgie Cleaver in the penultimate spot.

#2 Georgie Cleaver (East Fremantle)

DOB: 14/08/2005
Height: 183cm
Position: Key Forward/Ruck
Local club: Willetton

East Fremantle has no shortage of great young talents and key forward/ruck Georgie Cleaver marks the third Shark inside the Top 10 of our WAFL Women’s countdown. What she offers is such a unique skillset to her peers, particularly in Western Australia.

Her rare athleticism to match with her contested marking makes her a potentially dominant long-term key forward who can also roll through the ruck. Even in her bottom-age year, Cleaver showed that presence inside 50 and around the ground that makes her an enticing target for AFLW clubs.

Like many young footballers, Cleaver is no stranger to performing well at other sports, with her netball in particular, as well as her basketball, given her different viewpoints for her football. Last year she missed a couple of AFLW Under 18 Championships matches to represent her state in netball, but was able to return and play for the Australian side at Punt Road Oval, as well as in the Under 17s Futures match at GMHBA Stadium.

One of the few players to have been a bottom-age member of the AFLW Academy – something that is no longer a feature of said Academy – Cleaver has been touted as an impressive tall set to reach the top level. Her contested marking, athleticism and ability to find the ball – she averaged double-figure disposals for East Fremantle at League level – indicates that stepping up to the elite level should not be too difficult for the 183cm talent.

Cleaver’s knock is her kicking, which is an area that is still a work in progress given her transition from her other sports. If she is able to continue to build that aspect of her game and have a more consistent routine, then she could take her game to another level.

In 2022, Cleaver averaged the 13.9 disposals, 3.2 marks, 6.6 hitouts and 4.6 tackles for the Sharks, while booting six goals in nine games. Sensationally she was moved back to Rogers Cup level for the grand final, where she won a flag playing at a level that she was clearly a class above.

In 2023, Cleaver will be one of a number of dangerous sharks inside 50, with fellow Willeton junior Anjelique Raison sharing the forward 50 arc with her, as well as speedy bottom-ager Zippy Fish rotating between wing and half-forward. Deservingly right up there with our top pick this year, Cleaver has the most upside of the top-age group, and it will be fascinating to track her year and see just how far she can take her game.