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

Lulu Beatty (Northern Knights)
06/04/2004 | 171cm | Defender/Midfielder

The Northern Knights co-captain returned for another year at the Knights after missing out on being picked up last year. After the NAB League Girls season, where a delayed start to the year due to injury only saw her manage the five games, Beatty stepped up to play with Darebin Falcons in the VFLW and hold her own against senior opponents. She is capable of playing through the midfield, but has also settled into half-back and her courage and clean hands allow her to go to work there.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Injury and decision making.

Why pick them?

Beatty might be one for the end of the year given her injury struggles of the past, but she has the natural talent which is shown through her play. She is working hard on the deficiencies in her game, and while speed might still be a question mark, she is able to use her strengths – which include reading the play and her work rate – to overcome those deficiencies. She has nominated the national pool in a bid to attract interest from across the country.

NOMINATION: National

Candice Belbin (Tasmania Devils)
14/07/2004 | 164cm | Defender/Midfielder

Like Beatty, Belbin might be another for the end of year still only 18 years-old but overlooked last season. She is terrific at the coalface with high levels of defensive pressure and work rate to go with her clean ground ball pickups and power at the stoppages. She might not have the polish in her game that comes from kicking or decision making, but she cracks in and is a player who will be an accountable type anywhere you put her. Belbin has that burst over the first few metres that catch the eye as well.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Kicking consistency and decision making.

Why pick them?

Belbin is still a touch raw compared to others, but she has the traits that long-term could see her develop into a very handy player. She has no fears in playing at stoppages but can win the ball on the outside as well, and is incredibly clean. To play to her strengths, Belbin is better being a first possession winner and either shovelling the ball out to a teammate, or bursting away from the stoppage to kick long. One noted down for the end of year, but not without claims tomorrow.

NOMINATION: National

Madison Lane (Central District)
06/08/2003 | 162cm | Defender/Utility

Captaining her state as a younger teenager, Lane is still only 19 years-old and has come a long way in a few years. She remains one of the more natural defenders that are available, with the capacity to provide run, while also competing one-on-one. Over the years she has found her place in the Central District defence and though she has had her injury interruptions, Lane is one of the more reliable users by foot.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Impact-per-possession and injury.

Why pick them?

Lane is a player with plenty of potential and not much needing to be worked on from a technical standpoint. She is generally a strong kick of the ball, rarely making mistakes, and is able to mop up in defence and dispose of the ball under pressure. She is still building up her strength, but her major area of improvement is in metres gained, and backing herself to take the game on more. She has the foot skills to do the damage, so with a bit of confidence a club could take her game to the next level. A natural footballer in every sense of the word with skills and game smarts.

NOMINATION: National

Keiley Mead (Sydney Uni)
13/10/2001 | 166cm | Defender/Wing

Another high-upside player who has had injury curtail her chances over the last couple of years, Mead is a medium defender who can also play off a wing and has nominated the national pool. Coming from an elite-level baseball background, she has been a standout in the AFL Sydney competitions when out on the park, and at a new club at Sydney Uni this year, is one to keep in mind. She needs a clean run from injury in 2023, but is one to watch.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Unknown quantity due to injury.

Why pick them?

Mead has the determination and resilience to come back from multiple injuries most of her football journey and end up better for it each time. There might be some worries about that durability, but she could also be a low-cost, high-value pick. She reads the ball well in the air and is able to compete against senior bodies as a readymade player, while running hard on the outside be it at half-back or on the wing.

NOMINATION: National

Caitlin Miller (Southport)
21/07/2004 | 166cm | Medium Utility

Another overager makes the list and this time it is Queenslander Caitlin Miller. Among those who were closely watched by clubs last season, Miler arguably could have been in the forwards group, or midfielders too, with the 166cm talent able to play on all three lines. Miller played all three games for Queensland at last year’s AFLW Under 18 Championships, booting two goals in that time and being an option inside 50. She has played in defence in the QAFL Women’s, where she is currently playing for Southport.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Production and consistency.

Why pick them?

The Gold Coast Suns Academy member is an all-round utility who can plug and play in multiple positions. While she does have areas to work on, she is a determined type who is able to hit the scoreboard when inside 50, and also play an accountable role on her opponents. Miller has few flaws in the sense that she is just good across the board without one elite trait, but in filling out club depth, being able to call on a player who can play anywhere without a fundamental flaw in their game, is important.

NOMINATION: National

Gypsy Schirmer (South Adelaide)
18/02/2003 | 178cm | Defender/Utility

One of the more unique prospects who has worked hard on improving her game over the last couple of seasons since being overlooked is South Adelaide tall, Gypsy Schirmer. Her kicking and composure when under pressure was an underlying question mark even when in the prestigious AFLW Academy, but she has gradually improved her disposal by foot and settled into the defensive 50 for the Panthers. Currently out with an ankle injury sustained a few weeks ago, Schirmer had an incredible 2022, sharing the Panthers’ best and fairest with Nicole Campbell.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Kicking consistency and composure.

Why pick them?

Schirmer has worked hard on her deficiencies and is definitely a more well-rounded player compared to two years ago. Though not perfect, her kicking has certainly improved, and she provides plenty of drive out of defence. Standing at 178cm with elite athletic traits and an ability to play anywhere on the ground, Schirmer is a player who can grow even further in an elite system. Though the injury this year came at the wrong time, she showed plenty last season in a career-best year for the Panthers.

NOMINATION: National

Jamie-Lee Speakman (GWV Rebels)
05/06/2004 | 162cm | Defender/Forward

A natural footballer who just does everything right from a technical perspective, the big question mark when it comes to Speakman’s chances are whether her skills and smarts are enough when the athletic aspect is below average. The old fashioned natural footballer vs athlete debate comes into play with the overage GWV Rebels talent, with her skill by foot, decision making, aerial strength and reading of the play all very high. It is her athleticism, mainly her endurance and explosiveness that saw her overlooked last year.

Why have they been previously overlooked?

Endurance and explosiveness.

Why pick them?

Speakman is an old fashioned footballer who is one of the more natural players available. Still only 18 years-old and turning 19 in June, Speakman has plenty of football ahead of her, and has shown she can play both back and forward. The work she does in the air and at ground level is impressive, and she is a thumping kick of the ball, but usually accurate. If a club is happy to put in the work and lift the athletic attributes it desires, then Speakman is more than capable of competing at the highest level.

NOMINATION: Victoria

OTHERS NOMINATED:

Victoria Blackwood (Darebin)
Laura Blue (Coorparoo)
Riley Christgoergl (Collingwood VFLW)
Ebony Dowson (Peel Thunder)
Milli Gentle (West Adelaide)
Teagan Germech (East Coast Eagles)
Nicole Hales (Collingwood VFLW)
Morgan Johnston (Norwood)
Claire Ortlepp (Claremont)
Rachel Ortlepp (Claremont)
Jess Roper (West Perth)
Erin Sundstrom (North Adelaide)
Georgia Swan (Sturt)

SUMMARY

As we alluded to in last week’s articles, there are just 30 picks in tomorrow night’s draft, so only a small portion of the 500-plus nominees will earn their chance. Hopefully some of those named above will earn a place on an AFLW list, but there are plenty more who are deserving of the opportunity. Given the Overage Draft is set to be the last exclusive one for those not in their top-age year, it is a huge opportunity for older players to get their foots in the door at the elite level.