VICTORIA has the largest array of AFL Women’s clubs so it comes as no surprise that the most state nominations hail in the south east state. A total of 103 players nominated Victoria, making up just under 20 per cent of the total nominees in the 2023 AFLW Draft. Given the sheer weight of nominees, we profiled the Draft Combine invitees and listed the remaining nominees.

DRAFT COMBINE INVITEES:

Alyssia Pisano is the top ranked player in the Victorian pool, with the dominant left footer a classy forward and match-winner. She is among the top contenders for first pick in the AFL Women’s Draft, and adds that X-Factor inside 50 with innate goal sense and understanding of the game.

Mikayla Williamson co-captained Vic Country this year and went from strength to strength, finding plenty of the ball for both her state and club, Dandenong Stingrays. Usually an explosive midfielder, Williamson can play off a flank or even wing, providing plenty of run and carry between the arcs.

Lila Keck is another classy forward who knows where the big sticks are. She has produced some big games over the years and looms as a perfect small forward for an AFLW club. Having pieced together a strong junior career and overcome ankle injuries earlier this year, she could slot straight inside 50.

Chloe Adams was the other Vic Country co-captain and also captained Geelong Falcons in a remarkable show of leadership from the midfielder. She thrives on the inside ball and is clean in there, while her defensive pressure is elite. One of the best pure midfielders running around in the pool.

Bryde O’Rourke is an explosive player with plenty of upside, and is set to be picked up by Geelong. The potential father-daughter has X-Factor in spades, and loves to take grass running from defence to attack, but primarily through the midfield where she stepped up in 2023.

Jemma Rigoni has played just about every position over the last few years, starting in attack, then defence and eventually on a wing. Boasting explosive speed and the confidence to take the game on, Rigoni is another father-daughter, eligible to Melbourne.

Amber Schutte was one of the most impressive testers at the AFL Women’s Draft Combine, showing off her outstanding speed. A penetrative right foot kick, Schutte is highly competitive and was really strong across the national carnival this year.

Isabel Bacon has come from a multi-sport background and took massive strides in 2023 to put herself among the top Victorian draft prospects. She is explosive and physical, loving the defensive pressure and ability to run across the ground that underpins her game.

Georgia Stubs was another player who came along in leaps and bounds in 2023, stepping into the midfield for the Eastern Ranges. Also able to play off half-back, Stubs is explosive and tough, able to work hard offensively and defensively.

Emily Gough is a utility of key position height and has played across all three lines. An athletic tall with great mobility, Gough is a contested marking player with a booming kick, and could slot in to just about any position required of her at AFL Women’s level.

Lucy Cronin returned from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2023 and though she missed out on Vic Metro selection, pieced together an ultra-consistent Talent League season. A rebounding defender, Cronin can play on talls or smalls with a nice sidestep and long kick.

Sophie Butterworth plays a traditional key forward role, with strong hands and a penetrative kick. She provides a presence inside 50 and is reliable when going back for set shots. Though there are more athletic forwards, Butterworth is as consistent as they come, and can be that centrepiece inside 50.

Chantal Mason is another tall forward who can provide a contested marking option, knowing when to lead. She kicked a lot of goals in the Talent League season this year, and while there are areas to work on, her form mid-season was hard to deny with the sheer volume of goals she kicked.

Ava Jordan is a small forward with elite footy IQ. Standing at only 145cm, Jordan would be the smallest player at AFLW level if she is drafted, and while she is also not blessed with explosive speed, her decision making and smarts are off the charts.

Bianca Lyne has played a variety of roles over the last few years, but settled into defence this season. She is very good aerially, and with impressive closing speed and a high vertical leap, can spoil accordingly and force the ball to ground.

Annabelle Embelton is another player who missed out on Vic Metro representation, but skippered Sandringham Dragons throughout a rock solid 2023 Talent League season. Embelton is a rebounding defender who gives her all to the team’s cause.

TOP-AGE NOMINATIONS:

• Ahlee Penry (Gippsland Power)

• Lily-Grace Murrell (Eastern Ranges)

• Amelie Moore (Mt Evelyn)

• Mikayla Lee (Oakleigh Chargers)

• Amelie Marino (Calder Cannons)

• Laila Lappin (GWV Rebels)

• Ella Tyson (Western Jets)

• Taylor Sowden (Gippsland Power)

• Ellie Brown (Oakleigh Chargers)

• Kate Martin (Geelong Falcons)

• Maya Ellin (Oakleigh Chargers)

• Shaedyn Aylen (Sandringham Dragons)

• Megan Smart (Western Jets)

• Zara Klein (Oakleigh Chargers)

• Chiara Nardo (Diamond Creek)

• Lillee Barendsen (GWV Rebels)

• Lydia Gudgin (Gippsland Power)

• Jessica Fitzpatrick (Collegians)

• Zoe McCurdy (Sandringham Dragons)

• Jacinta Hose (Eastern Ranges)

• Emily McGovern (Traralgon)

• Giselle Lambley (Western Jets)

• Hannah Scott (Northern Knights)

• Cameron Millias (Sandringham Dragons)

MATURE-AGE NOMINATIONS:

• Georgia Alomes (Port Melbourne)

• Olivia Barton (Port Melbourne)

• Emily Beanland (Montmorency)

• Georgia Booth (Mooroolbark)

• Teagan Bradley (North Melbourne VFLW)

• Tia Davidge (Essendon VFLW)

• Nicola Davidson (East Ringwood)

• Lisa Davie (Port Melbourne)

• Mary Daw (Point Cook Centrals)

• Maddie Edwards (Williamstown)

• Bella Enno (Southern Saints)

• Shree Fairchild (Casey Demons)

• Ashley Fitzpatrick (Diamond Creek)

• Zara Flanigan (North Melbourne VFLW)

• Siobhan Fletcher Chivers (East Ringwood)

• Mia Giannopoulos (Darebin Falcons)

• Samantha Gooden (Geelong AFLW)

• Madison Gray (Essendon VFLW)

• Charlotte Hammans (Box Hill)

• Grace Hay (Murray Bushrangers)

• Grace Hodder (Southern Saints)

• Chloe Hunt (Eastern Devils)

• Manaia Huta (Essendon VFLW)

• Alexandra Hynes (Southern Saints)

• Elisabeth Jackson (Collingwood VFLW)

• Jorja Jackson (Oakleigh Chargers)

• Lauren Jatczak (Northern Knights)

• Marli Klaumanns-Moller (North Melbourne VFLW)

• Kiera Leare (Western Jets)

• India Lehman (Casey Demons)

• Amanda Ling (Western Bulldogs)

• Delany Madigan (Eastern Ranges)

• Indiana Makai (Casey Demons)

• Olivia Manfre (Essendon VFLW)

• Jane McMeel (Geelong VFLW)

• Alisha Molesworth (Box Hill)

• Emmalyn Nekrep (Western Bulldogs VFLW)

• Evangelia Nikolitsis (Collingwood VFLW)

• Kaitlyn O’Keefe (Port Melbourne)

• Scarlett Orritt (Essendon VFLW)

• Madeleine Patterson (Yarraville Seddon Eagles)

• Sophie Phillips (Southern Saints)

• Georgie Pruden (Eastern Ranges)

• Marguerite Purcell (North Melbourne VFLW)

• Bella Rees (Collegians)

• Georgia Ricardo (Collingwood VFLW)

• Krystal Russell (Western Jets)

• Ella Sciberras (Old Scotch)

• Annabel Scott (North Melbourne VFLW)

• Charlotte Simpson (Geelong VFLW)

• Kristen Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)

• Emily Tassiopoulos (Oakleigh Chargers)

• Meg Thompson (East Ringwood)

• Kyla Tracey (Western Bulldogs VFLW)

• Abbey Tregellis (Dandenong Stingrays)

• Ailish Tyrrell (Thomson Sports Club)

• Charlotte van der Vlies (Collingwood VFLW)

• Ashley van Rooyen (Sandringham Dragons)

• Genevieve Walsh (North Melbourne VFLW)

• Jarlah Walsh (Geelong Amateur)

• Sky Wilson (Box Hill)

• Isabelle Worth (St Kevin’s)