HEADLINED by a star midfielder and some promising talent around her, the Western Jets improved as the season went on after a slow start, and picked up some hard-fought wins, while also dropping a couple of games they could have saluted in across the Coates Talent League Girls season.

WESTERN JETS

RECORD: 11th Overall | 5th Metro | 3-11 | 55.00%
STREAK: | LL | LLLW | WLL | LLWLL

THE STORY:

Western Jets only won the flag two seasons ago, but a lot has changed since then, with plenty of fresh faces coming into the lineup. They took a while to gel, and though some under-age prospects showed promising signs for the future, ultimately only came away from the season with three wins. Still, they produced a couple of genuine top-age AFLW Draft prospects – one in the pointy end – as well as names to remember over the next two seasons.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

Easily the biggest highlight for the Jets was the dominant win over GWV Rebels at Avalon Airport Oval in Round 15. Coming into the game both sides were considered fairly even, and after neither team could put one through the big sticks in the first term, the Jets piled on eight straight goals to win by 45 points. Sierra Grieves (33 disposals, seven marks, 11 tackles, seven inside 50s, three rebound 50s and one goal) produced another best on ground performance, while Mira Diab bobbed up to kick three goals.

THE STAR:

Without a doubt Grieves was not only the star of the Jets, but one of the dominant players in the Coates Talent League Girls competition. Leading the midfield with consistent ball-winning and clearance nous, Grieves puts her body on the line constantly, and added an outside feel to her elite inside game making her a threat in multiple ways.

Throughout the season, Grieves had a season-high of 40 disposals, with only one game under 20 touches – which was 19 – and nine of her 13 games involving 30 or more disposals. All up, Grieves averaged 30.2 disposals, 2.9 marks, 7.5 tackles, 5.4 inside 50s and 2.5 rebound 50s, all while kicking seven goals. Her form continued at national level where she was named the MVP of not only Vic Metro but the overall championships.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Alongside Grieves, fellow Vic Metro top-ager Lou-Lou Field looms as the other key draft prospect, overcoming early season interruptions to finish strongly with a consistent national carnival and backend of the Coates Talent League Girls season. A reliable intercept mark and smooth left-footer, Field provides drive up the ground with her positioning and footy IQ among her standout traits,.

The hard working midfield of Olivia Castello, Hannah Brodie and Indi Stanley all impressed, winning their fair share of the ball, while Diab had flashes of brilliance throughout the season from limited opportunities.

THE FUTURE:

Western has a number of future draft prospects to keep an eye on, with bottom-age tall Alex McBride-Loane a 2025 AFLW Draft talent, having plied her trade as a rebounding intercept defender who can also roll into the ruck. Smooth-moving wing Charlotte Miller and half-forward Polly Conway are a couple of others for next year who have shown promise in 2024.

The Jets also have a couple of double bottom-agers who could be right up there in conversations. Both forward prospects, Kiara Boyd kicked three goals to win the Jets the game against Northern Territory, then had a stint in midfield in the final match of the season. Piper Dixon is another crafty player around goals.