RICHMOND has made a signing 45 days out from its AFL Women’s season opener, naming Sydney Swans Academy over-ager Imogen Brown as the club’s newest recruit. Brown will add some serious speed to the Tigers’ lineup, replacing the injured Katelyn Cox who went down with a season-ending knee injury.

A revelation for the red and white this season, Brown had no less than 17 disposals playing as a midfielder/forward for the Swans Academy. She played four games, kicking a goal in each of her Coates Talent League Girls outings, with her defensive pressure on show averaging 7.5 tackles.

Brown had two 20-plus disposal performances including a 27-disposal, nine-tackle, three-inside 50 and two-goal game against Gippsland Power which really put her on club radars. Brown also got her VFLW opportunity for the Swans, where she averaged 13.5 disposals and 2.5 marks.

What stands out about Brown’s game is her speed and work rate across the field, linking up well through multiple possessions within a passage. Her contest-to-contest work and balance of offensive and defensive attributes at junior level really came to the fore.

Brown also made the Allies’ squad for the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, where she picked up 11 disposals, four clearances, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s, while also laying 11 tackles. She laid claim to the first score of the national carnival, kicking a behind from a set shot.

PROFILE IN A NUTSHELL

STRENGTHS: Speed, defensive pressure, clean hands, work rate, competitiveness, upside
IMPROVEMENTS: Fundamentals, Skills

SCOUTING NOTES

AFLW U18 Championships: Round 1 | vs. Vic Metro

Stats: 11 disposals, 11 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 behinds

The sole over-ager in the match, Brown had a huge first term where she was involved in winning two holding the ball free kicks. With the first set shot of the game, the Swans Academy member pushed it to the left for a behind, but remained involved throughout the term. She continued to have a crack and took a strong juggling mark early in the third, putting it to a dangerous spot deep inside 50.

Coates Talent League Girls: Round 8 | vs. Dandenong Stingrays

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

When you think of raw athletic potential, Brown is just that. An over-ager, Brown is still ironing out some fundamentals – such as her bouncing and technique, but she offers ultra excitement and hard running, kicking a remarkable goal on the run in the first term and always looking to use her burst speed to advantage. With further development, Brown has the potential to rapidly improve, as she can find the ball and back her pace.

Coates Talent League Girls: Round 5 | vs. Tasmania Devils

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Continuing to make an impact as an over-ager, Brown brought the heat in the nail-biting game, laying six tackles and providing pressure around the ball. She can not only play through the middle, but also up forward, presenting on leads and taking strong marks. A set shot from 40m missed early in the fourth term, but she soon capitalised off a turnover with a clever snap in the final four minutes of the match.

Coates Talent League Girls: Round 4 | vs. Eastern Ranges

Stats: 19 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

The over-ager has had a good couple of weeks and that continued with another strong one against the Ranges. Brown is ultra-competitive with repeat pressure acts, and her finishing ability is also something special. Taking a strangely high bounce while running – starting at her chest – Brown still controlled the ball and then finished off well with the major in the second term. Her kicking is effective more often than not as well.

Coates Talent League Girls: Round 3 | vs. Gippsland Power

Stats: 27 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals

A standout for the Swans Academy and arguably their best on. She took the game on going for runs through the middle, applied pressure when needed and hit the scoreboard with a couple of majors as well. Brown used her experience from playing in the VFLW to advantage returning to her own age group, and she was one who put her hand up as a readymade option for AFLW clubs. She has the potential to play just about anywhere on the ground.

WHAT RICHMOND SAID….

Richmond AFLW Recruiting Manager Trent Mosbey

“Imogen can accelerate away from congestion and run and carry the ball. “She applies high pressure around the ball with her competitive nature, repeat efforts, tackling execution, and defensive pressure.

“Imogen also has very clean hands inside the contest. We believe there is an enormous amount of upside in her game.” – via Richmond FC