LOCAL talent was the clear theme for the Brisbane Lions, as the Season 8 premiers stayed within their own Academy for the 2023 AFL Women’s Draft. Forced to match a bid for Evie Long at Pick 15 and Indiana Williams at Pick 27, the Lions also selected Sophie Peters at Pick 21, and then Rania Crozier (Pick 35) and Jacinta Baldwick (37).

Evie Long (Sandgate / Queensland)
22/08/2005 | 175cm | Wing / Forward

One of the draft bolters this year, Long impressed at the national carnival with her smooth outside running game and terrific decision making, playing off both a wing and up forward. Her hands overhead are great, and she has that quick burst off a lead to do damage, kicking three consecutive goals against the Allies in one of the matches. She was highly sought after by multiple teams, but the Lions were always going to match the Sandgate talent, not allowing the Swans to snatch her at Pick 15.

Sophie Peters (Maroochydore / Queensland)
12/03/2005 | 163cm | Wing

The AFLW Academy member has remained a consistent all year and though not a high possession winner, does enormous damage by hand or foot. She ducks and weaves her way through traffic and creates plenty of run and carry on the outside, with her polish and skills standing out on the big stage. As she did not receive a bid due to nominating her state, the Lions were more than happy to pick up the Maroochydore midfielder with the last selection of the first round.

Indiana Williams (Maroochydore / Queensland)
23/06/2005 | 177cm | Tall Defender

Maroochydore tall Williams had interest from down south with Adelaide making a bid at Pick 27 for the defender who can also play forward. Having a growth spurt of four centimetres over the last couple of months to become more of a key defender, Williams could always play taller than her officially measured 173cm height. She is strong, competitive and can provide some offensive work, but does her best when able to nullify and opponent.

Rania Crozier (Aspley / Queensland)
18/11/2005 | 179cm | Key Forward

An ultra-athletic forward with plenty of upside, Crozier is a marking target inside 50 and had a really strong couple of years at Aspley. Coming off an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury at the start of 2022, she did enough through the QAFL Women’s to warrant AFLW Academy selection, and then went from strength to strength, putting herself firmly on draft radars. The Lions were lucky enough to not have to match a bid, happily adding her to the list at Pick 35.

Jacinta Baldwick (Coorparoo / Queensland)
14/11/2005 | 168cm | Midfielder / Forward

A talented all-rounder, Baldwick has genuine footballing ability both on the offensive and defensive sides. She works hard defensively, but can run forward to hit the scoreboard. Playing inside, outside and inside 50, Baldwick showed a variety of weapons throughout both her QAFL Women’s and Talent League seasons. On the big stage for Queensland, she held her own and proved to be a goal-scoring threat. One who has plenty of potential with few major deficiencies and should prove great value for the Lions.

SUMMARY

The Lions showed that the work they are doing with the Academy is paying off, given the amount of talent about to walk through their doors. They were able to draft a variety of players across multiple positions to add terrific depth to the squad for the future.