OFF the back of naming some key position forwards to keep an eye on in next week’s AFLW Overage Draft, we highlight a number of small or medium forwards who have nominated. In many cases they play other positions, however are able to standout more in the front half of the ground given the abundance of nominated midfielders.

Alana Lishmund (Norwood)
13/08/2003 | 168cm | Medium Forward

The reigning SANFL Women’s leading goalkicker has not had a clean run at it this season after sustaining an ankle injury prior to the first league-wide bye. She still managed to kick two goals in her first three games, but if selected, it will be based off her incredible season last year where she booted 18 goals in 11 games. Originally a midfielder, Lishmund thrived inside 50 and was among the prospects in our extended Power Rankings last year.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Production and consistency.

Why pick them?

Lishmund was a low-production midfielder but after being moved forward lifted her numbers despite largely being a mark and kick stay-at-home forward. What the talented footballer brings to the table is a good set of hands and a booming, reliable kick, along with plenty of energy to boot. Clubs might have wanted to see some sustained form this season as well, but even if she misses out here, should be among the better mature-age chances at year’s end.

NOMINATION: South Australia

Tahleah Mulder (South Fremantle)
14/12/2001 | Forward/Midfielder

The surprise packet of the WAFL Women’s this year, Mulder has been a brilliant recruit by the Bulldogs after impressing at amateur football. Boasting some incredible acceleration and evasion, the ability to play half-forward, wing or on-ball, Mulder is a taller player as well. All the traits add up to something special, and having turned 22 last December, the former Futsal player has time on her side.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Unknown quantity.

Why pick them?

Mulder has come from a Futsal background and played for Piara Waters where she won the Women’s B Grade league best and fairest in the Perth Football League. Incredibly she has not only held her own a couple of grades up, but been one of the stars for the Bulldogs, with a remarkable knack of reading the stoppages. Clubs could no doubt just picture her room for development in an elite program and go from there.

NOMINATION: National

Brooke Smith (Dandenong Stingrays)
21/02/2004 | 169cm | Forward/Utility

After injury curtailed both her 2021 and 2022 seasons, Smith was always up against it to try and get drafted with limited games under her belt. She only managed the six games with the Stingrays, then two with Vic Country, but her footskills and smarts were evident. Having played in defence, then midfield and now forward, she has covered all three lines, and though is building up her tank again, has potential to take that next step.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Injury and production.

Why pick them?

Smith is not going to necessarily be that 20-plus disposal winner regardless of where she plays. The skilful talent is a high-impact per possession winner, and can hit the scoreboard or set others up inside 50. In her first game for 2023, Smith booted two goals and was creative in the front half of the ground, and could easily have shown enough to tick a box for clubs there. The ultimate utility who just needs a clean run at it, Smith is one who would be on club’s radars, if not now, then end of year.

NOMINATION: Victoria

Emily Eaves (Williamstown VFLW)
18/04/2001 | 165cm | Forward/Midfielder

The New South Wales local relocated to play in Victoria for Williamstown last season to chase her dream, and earned an AFLW Draft Combine invite to suggest she is not too far off the mark. Turning 22 next month, Eaves is a fierce competitor who thrives on the contested ball, but also plays forward as she did on the weekend to kick a goal. There are still areas to work on, but she is a pressure player who can fill a role inside 50.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Kicking consistency and explosiveness.

Why pick them?

Eaves plays to her strengths when she goes out on the field, and she is as tough as they come. Her work on the inside is terrific, with clean hands and a high work rate. She has come through the Sydney Swans Academy program and has developed each year. Nominating nationally, she is hungry for a chance, and is that medium size to match up on varying opponents.

NOMINATION: National

Jade Briggs (Peel Thunder)
24/05/2002 | 172cm | Medium Forward

Another talent who had injuries at the wrong time, Briggs produced a strong 2022 WAFL Women’s season and has traits that lend themselves to the next level. The continuity and consistency is what she needs, but the Peel Thunder left-footer can do some serious damage in the front half of the ground. Her production numbers are lifting and she has learned to impact further afield, while adding a strong pressure element to her game.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Injury and consistency.

Why pick them?

Briggs is one who might not make the jump just yet, but she does that that potential. Turning 21 in a couple of months, she is still young and has time to build up another consistent season. In 2022. she booted six goals in 14 games, but it was her work up the field, where she averaged 13.2 disposals, 3.1 marks and 4.6 tackles, rounding out her profile. She has an effective left foot and is powerfully built, with that taller medium height to make her difficult to match up on.

NOMINATION: Western Australia

Aprille Crooks (North Adelaide)
30/09/2003 | 170cm | Medium Forward

Of the mature-age Tasmanians, Crooks is one of the leading prospects, having moved from the Apple Isle where she dominated in the Northern Tasmanian Football Association, winning a league best and fairest and premiership medal. Moving to the SANFLW, Crooks has had some interruptions with injury setbacks, but played her best gam last weekend with 13 disposals, four tackles and three inside 50s against the Panthers.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Lack of high level exposure.

Why pick them?

Crooks graduated through the Tasmania Devils program and was around the mark for draftable talents, then had to head back to the Apple Isle where she was a class above in that grade. She has made the switch to prove herself against the strongest state league opposition in the country and held her own. Clubs will likely want to see more, and she might be an end of year watch, but she has the athletic traits and defensive attributes to go with her offensive abilities.

NOMINATION: National

Emily Shepherd (Collingwood VFLW)
05/04/2004 | 167cm | Forward/Midfielder

A leading talent coming through the pathways, Shepherd opted to head to Collingwood VFLW to test herself over returning to the Coates Talent League like a number of her fellow over-agers. Shepherd is a powerfully-built player who can impact the scoreboard as well as win the ball at the stoppage cleanly. She had a few things to iron out last season, but remains one of the more naturally-gifted talents in the system.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Kicking composure and off-ball impact.

Why pick them?

Clubs will be doing their homework on Shepherd in regards to whether they see her as a forward or a midfielder at the next level, and whether she does enough off the ball to go with her incredible impact with ball-in-hand. She can do a lot of damage in transition and is more than happy to take the chances herself to win the games off her own boot. Collingwood has a couple of picks open with a number of Pies VFLW players in the mix, and one would imagine Shepherd is among those, but she has opted national.

NOMINATION: National

Alysha Healy (Sturt)
29/09/2000 | 168cm | Medium Forward

The talented Northern Territory junior has had quite the journey over the years in search of chasing her dream. Representing a number of clubs across the country, and coming through the more traditional pathway, Healy has got better with age. She was raw and not quite doing enough as a forward, but 2022 was a particular breakout season for the talented left-footer and she has found the balance now to go forward and make the next step.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Consistency and off-ball impact.

Why pick them?

Healy has the athletic traits, game sense, goal smarts and skill that make her a great forward. Her defensive pressure has come a long way in recent seasons, which has rounded out her overall performance. In 2022, she booted 14 goals from 15 games in her career-best season. She has experience at state league level for a number of years now and initially played in defence, but her move forward has seen her thrive.

NOMINATION: National

Dakota Williams (Central District)
02/11/2004 | 162cm | Forward/Wing

One of the more raw talents with higher upside, Williams is a potential smoky at the end of year draft. After being a lower production player last season cracking into the Central District lineup, Williams has thrived rotating between forward and midfield, even kicking a couple of crunch goals. She has the traits that catch the eye, with her speed and aggression. Williams has less runs on the board than those above, but also is just beginning to hit her straps

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Production and consistency.

Why pick them?

Williams would be viewed as a more long-term option as she is still building that consistency each week, but as she showed during the win against South Adelaide – where she booted a goal from 12 disposals – the talent is there. Williams has also come through the South Australian development pathway, and just shows glimpses here and there. If not for this draft, another one to just keep in the memory bank for year’s end.

NOMINATION: National

OTHERS NOMINATED:

Ella Calleja (Bond University)
Olivia Cicolini (Geelong VFLW)
Gabriella De Angelis (Southern Saints)
Kadie Fletcher (University of Queensland)
Tayla Hart-Aluni (Essendon VFLW)
Tessa Kohn (Glenelg)
India Lehman (Casey Demons)
Mylee Leitch (East Fremantle)
Olivia Manfre (Essendon VFLW)
Mali McLeod (Western Bulldogs VFLW)
Chantelle Mitchell (WWT Eagles)
Kristen Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)

SUMMARY

The final amount of draft picks in the AFLW Overage Draft have been determined with just 30 selections to take place on the night. It means that there will only be a handful of players on this list likely to get scooped up, but it does provide clubs with a great idea of who might be willing to move interstate at year’s end to chase their dream. More than 500 players have nominated, which will give the AFLW recruiters plenty to think about.