IN the first AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships match for both sides, Vic Metro took home the chocolates against Allies, posting a 19-point win at Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield. The ‘Big V’ overcame early resistance to set up the victory, in readiness to face-off against South Australia next weekend in Werribee.

In this article, we name a few players who caught the eye in the game, and perhaps could be deemed surprise packets. For the purpose of the article, these will be draft-eligible non AFLW Academy members.

Cleo Buttifant (GIANTS Academy/Allies)
03/05/2005 | 174cm | Defender

The biggest eye catcher from a draft perspective was GIANTS Academy defender and touch football player, Buttifant. The tall defender provided plenty of highlights with her line-breaking runs and ability to take the game on. Still a raw talent who is in her first proper season of Aussie rules football, she has come along in a short space of time an has enormous upside.

Strengths: Acceleration, athleticism, positioning
Improvements: Fundamentals

Isabel Bacon (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
11/05/2005 | 172cm | Midfielder

One player whose form has been on the up is Dragons’ midfielder Bacon. She earned a place in the Vic Country squad and has the athletic traits that catch the eye. She has enough nous to be able to find the ball and put it into dangerous spots, it is about developing other areas of her game to add some polish and consistency.

Strengths: Speed, upside, decision making
Improvements: Consistency

Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
06/07/2005 | 169cm | Midfielder

In what was arguably her best game of the year considering the opponent, Kavanagh was enormous through the midfield and only got stronger as the game went on. In the last term she was hitting passes lace-out going inside 50, and she has been the most influential midfielder on the ground. Not always the flashiest player, Kavanagh brings defensive pressure and consistency in spades.

Strengths: High production, Defensive pressure, clearance work
Improvements: Polish

Mackenzie Ford (Tasmania Devils/Allies)
27/04/2005 | 164cm | Midfielder

The Tasmanian talent is just a good all-round player who can fill in a number of roles both inside and outside of midfield. She attacks the contest hard, has great defensive pressure and is able to work over opponents across the course of a game. Like Kavanagh, Ford is not always the flashiest player, but she gets the job done and her performances of late saw her earn an Allies spot, and is more than making the most of her chances.

Strengths: Defensive pressure, work rate, consistency
Improvements: Offensive impact

Holly Cooper (Swans Academy/Allies)
23/02/2005 | 164cm | Midfielder

Though she has a couple of fellow Swans Academy teammates in the AFLW Academy, Cooper is doing well to fly under the radar as a genuine talent herself. She is clean by hand or foot, has terrific defensive pressure, and can spread well across the ground. In terms of her draftable traits, Cooper is a good decision maker and her release timing on her handballs were perfect on the weekend.

Strengths: Clean hands, speed, offensive/defensive balance
Improvements: Strength

Jemma Rigoni (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
04/06/2004 | 173cm | Defender

The rebounding tall was impressive when given her chances, competing in the air and then taking off from the back 50. Eligible as a Melbourne father-daughter, Rigoni has huge upside for the future given her athletic traits. She has shown to be able to play at either end, and only an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury stopped her making strides in her top-age year. She still has some areas to develop, but is an exciting prospect.

Strengths: Speed, strength, athleticism
Improvements: Decision making