BACK for another year, Rookie Me Central’s 24 to Watch in 2024 returns and this time around, the focus is on underage players, being those who are yet to have an AFLW Draft chance. For the list of 2024, it will range between players who are predominantly 2006 (top-age) and 2007-born talents likely to take the SANFL Women’s by storm or set themselves up for the future.

Sturt teenager Monique Bessen came on in leaps and bounds last season, with the 16-year-old representing the Double Blues across 11 games, and also making it into the Under 18s squad as an emergency after a successful Under 16s carnival.

MONIQUE BESSEN PROFILE

DOB: 05/02/2007
Height: 174cm
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Sturt

SUMMARY

Bessen is a naturally gifted player who will only get better from here. Still young, Bessen has a full two seasons to play out before being draft eligible, with the bottom-ager already among the more damaging ball users in the competition. She averaged 14.4 disposals, 3.5 marks and 4.2 tackles in the SANFL Women’s last season, and, after finding her feet in more outside roles, even went inside and finished the year with more than two clearances per game.

Early on in the season, Bessen was able to provide a great outside option for her teammates, boasting strong hands overhead and impressive decision making skills with ball-in-hand. Perhaps her point of difference to a lot of skilful players is her defensive side, which was even more evident with a move to the inside, even laying 11 tackles in a game.

Still ironing out some areas of her game such as consistency as one would expect from a young player, Bessen has the balance of strength and skill that sets her apart. Her aerial prowess, smarts and versatility to play inside or outside gives her a great variety of options or the future. As one of a number of promising 2007-born talents, Bessen is sure to continue her upward trajectory for the Double Blues this season.

SANFLW 24 TO WATCH IN 2024:

>> Ruby Ballard (West Adelaide)
>> Shae Archbold (South Adelaide)
>> Asha Dufour (West Adelaide)
>> Coby Morgan (Norwood)
>> Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide)
>> Emma Kilpatrick (West Adelaide)
>> Lily Baxter (South Adelaide)
>> Grace Martin (Woodville-West Torrens)
>> Laela Ebert (North Adelaide)
>> Steph Tredwell (West Adelaide)
>> Matilda Wilmore (Glenelg)
>> Charli Hazelhurst (Norwood)
>> Chloe Tonkin (West Adelaide)
>> Imogen Trengove (Woodville-West Torrens)