A DUO of top-end talents headline the Western Jets squad for the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls season as the side has a heavy focus on the future with a large portion of the list either bottom-age or Under 16 talent. We spoke to Jets coach Hayley Gossow about the top-age players standing out.

TOP PROSPECTS

Sierra Grieves (Midfielder/Forward)
18/05/2006 | 163cm

A tenacious inside midfielder who is one of the best extractors in the competition, Grieves went from strength-to-strength last season rotating between on-ball and attack. She earned a place in the Under 17 Futures match where she was one of the most impressive midfielders there, and that followed on to gaining a spot in the AFLW Academy. Grieves is a fierce tackler who is sublime defensively.

Lou-Lou Field (Defender)
18/10/2006 | 167cm

The rebounding defender has a potent left foot and has been a consistent feature in the Jets backline for a number of years. Good overhead and a natural interceptor as well, Field provides much needed composure in the back 50 and has been earmarked for a wing role when not rolling off half-back. With room to add extra strings to her bow, the talented Field is one of the best outside the National Academy.

Hayley Gossow says: “Both are pretty hard workers on and off the field. We know that they’re always going to be looking after themselves and doing the right thing and they’re just so keen to get the best out of themselves in their football. They had a great Summer with the Metro hub camps, and Sierra in the National Academy so she’s had a busy off-season.

“But we’re just looking forward to see them go to the next level. Both of them have been at the Jets since they were 12/13 years-old which is highly unusual. It’s kind of funny that it’s only now that they’re 18 it’s their draft year as they’re part of the furniture. We’ll just keep tracking them along the way they do and hopefully they have a good national campaign as well.

“Sierra last year was her first year in the mid, she played forward before that, but she’ll go through the mid again, and Lou is quite a very strong half-backer but we might look to play her a little bit higher on a wing or something like that to give her that versatility to show off the different aspects of her game.”

OTHERS TO WATCH

Hayley Gossow says: “Our bottom-agers are our strongest. We’ve got a couple who have been with the 18s that have been with the squad that are showing a little bit. Probably a little bit early still as I say, we haven’t played another team yet, but I’m probably most excited about what the bottom-agers can do. As I said the talent is just getting better and better as they come through.”

FIRST MATCH

Round 2: vs. Sandringham Dragons | Saturday, April 13 @ Trevor Barker Oval