IN THE lead-up to next week’s AFLW Draft, we’re breaking down some of the available prospects in each area. Today we take a look at the general forwards, which will not include those tall or key position types, but instead those sub-174cm. Additionally this list will feature players who are predominantly forwards though spent significant time in the midfield under that height, however not the those midfielder/forwards who were predominantly the former.

>> GENERAL DEFENDERS

GENERAL FORWARDS:

Georgia McKee (Central District / South Australia)

Height: 160cm
DOB: 24/04/2006
Key Strengths: Goal sense, Forward craft, dual-sided
Main Improvement: Conditioning

The dangerous small forward who starred as a double bottom-ager two years ago for South Australia at the AFLW Under 18 Championships looms as the highest upside forward in the group. Able to use her non-preferred left boot just as well as her right, McKee provides maximum damage once the ball hits the deck inside 50. Her forward craft and goal sense are incredible, and though she is still developing her conditioning back up following that year out, McKee could explode at the elite level.

Ashley Patton (Tuggeranong Valley / Giants Academy / NSW-ACT)

Height: 171cm
DOB: 26/09/2006
Key Strengths: Kicking, goal sense, evasion
Main Improvement: Consistency

A member of the Giants Academy, the Canberra-based Patton has been a classy half-forward over the last couple of years, but had a brief taste of life as a half-back during the national championships. She is so evasive with ball in hand, uses the pill exceptionally well and knows where the big sticks are constantly. Though she is still developing areas of her game to be more consistent, once in an elite program will no doubt take her profile to another level and become a damaging distributor going inside 50.

Georgia Knight (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)

Height: 165cm
DOB: 11/10/2006
Key Strengths: Goal sense, forward craft, footy IQ
Main Improvement: Endurance

Knight kicks goals for fun, then enjoys creative celebrations afterwards, so without a doubt if positive vibes are what clubs are looking for, then the Vic Metro forward is the perfect player. She kicked the most goals at the national championships with nine (three per match) including five under the roof at Marvel Stadium, and the second most at Coates Talent League Girls level through the regular season. A pidgeonholed forward who is still building her tank, she is one of the most dangerous players within scoring range.

Amelie Gladman (Oakleigh Chargers / Vic Metro)

Height: 165cm
DOB: 16/06/2006
Key Strengths: Clean hands, forward craft, scoreboard impact
Main Improvement: Defensive pressure

Gladman put her name on the map thanks to a Coates Talent League Girls individual goalkicking record haul of nine goals against Bendigo Pioneers in her bottom-age season. Though that performance was understandably an anomaly, Gladman’s consistency throughout the 2024 season increased, with her clean hands her star attribute. She can also create for teammates or hit the scoreboard herself, and while defensively there are elements to improve, she adds a point of difference to any forwardline.

Poppy Stockwell (South Fremantle / Western Australia)

Height: 165cm
DOB: 24/10/2003
Key Strengths: Marking, kick penetration, Scoreboard impact
Main Improvement: Endurance

The mature-age prospect is one of only two players outside their teenage years to get a Draft Combine invite, and with her season, it did not come as a shock at all. The South Fremantle forward had career-best numbers at the Bulldogs, looming as one of the most consistently damaging forwards in the WAFL Women’s competition. She is undersized for a marking forward, but the cross-code star – who represented Western Australia in cricket – has made the most of her strengths which include her strong overhead marking and penetrating kick that allows her to kick bags of goals.

Seisia White (Geelong Falcons / Vic Country)

Height: 163cm
DOB: 07/10/2006
Key Strengths: Defensive pressure, kicking, forward craft
Main Improvement: Consistency

A point-of-difference small forward who has a great balance between offensive and defensive traits. Though not a massive accumulator, White just ticks a lot of boxes, particularly from a groundlevel perspective. She tackles hard, throws her body on the line, then when having the ball, is able to hit the scoreboard or set up her teammates. She has a great understanding of where the big sticks are, and does not mind a celebration to boot. A developing talent who has room to grow, but boasts a nice foundational base.

Rebecca Clottey

Height: 166cm
DOB: 05/05/2006
Key Strengths: Defensive pressure, goal sense, speed
Main Improvement: Fundamentals

Sharing the forwardline at the Geelong Falcons and Vic Country with White, Clottey brings a similar defensive pressure and energy around the ball. She has that explosive speed which can worry opposition defenders, and Clottey is capable of running down opponents and forcing turnovers. Some of her fundamentals need work, but she has a lot of traits that cannot be taught. A raw forward with upside and one who has come a long way in a short space of time over the last 18 months.

FORWARD/MIDFIELDERS:

Ruby Ballard (West Adelaide / South Australia)

Height: 156cm
DOB: 07/11/2006
Key Strengths: Footy IQ, defensive pressure, speed
Main Improvement: Production

Looking to follow in the footsteps of older sister Abbie, Ballard boasts some similar traits with her football IQ and defensive pressure standing out on the field. The younger Ballard has some toe to add to her game, and while not a high accumulator – and she does stand at just 156cm – the West Adelaide prospect has proven herself against senior opponents in the SANFL Womens competition. Ballard can play both as a small forward or through the middle with her fierce attack on the ball and opponent.

Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays / Vic Country)

Height: 160cm
DOB: 15/07/2006
Key Strengths: Speed, agility, defensive pressure
Main Improvement: Kicking under pressure

A defensively-minded small forward who has spent time in the middle over the last two seasons, Dalgleish is also an elite athlete who can run, evade and jump, providing the whole package. While only slight at 160cm, Dalgleish is not afraid to throw herself into contests, and she showed throughout the course of the year she can play both as a leading forward or crumbing talent to hit the scoreboard. When further afield, Dalgleish can provide speed on the ball and with time and space can do damage going inside 50.

Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle / Western Australia)

Height: 160cm
DOB: 20/10/2006
Key Strengths: Goal sense, forward craft, X-Factor
Main Improvement: Speed

McNaughton gained some valuable midfield minutes in 2024, though does her best work close to goal where she knows the big sticks well. Her forward craft and general X-Factor standout, with the South Fremantle small able to break a game open with a crucial goal or two here or there. While McNaughton does not possess the explosive speed that others her size can, she is still very evasive and when going into the middle provide a point of difference with her clearance work.

Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)

Height: 165cm
DOB: 02/10/2006
Key Strengths: Speed, athleticism, run-and-carry
Main Improvement: Kicking precision

One of the most impressive all-round athletes, Stevenson forced her way into the Vic Metro squad this season following a strong start with Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League Girls competition. She provides great run-and-carry across the field, and has found a niche playing in that high half-forward role. Her ability to join up the midfield with attack was important across both competitions, and she is one who has further room to grow at the elite level once she can get back firing.

Lucy Thompson (Tasmania Devils / Tasmania)

Height: 169cm
DOB: 14/06/2006
Key Strengths: Strength, one-on-ones, clean hands
Main Improvement: Athleticism

Thompson had an interrupted season due to injury, but still got to step out for both Tasmania Devils and the Allies in 2024, proving she can play both as a forward and midfielder. She boasts strong and clean hands in the air or at ground level, and though at that medium height of 169cm, has the strength to compete against both talls and smalls. Improving her athletic base is the next step, but Thompson is one who will leave no stone unturned to be the best she can be.

Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers / Vic Metro)

Height: 158cm
DOB: 13/02/2006
Key Strengths: Clean hands, footy IQ, work rate
Main Improvement: Marking

Moving from the midfield to become a small forward in 2024, Vicino had a breakout year to really add credence to her AFLW Draft claims. The Oakleigh Chargers dual premiership players has such clean hands, a great footy brain and a high work rate which she can use anywhere on the ground, but her defensive pressure enables her to force turnovers in the front half. Vicino has a great balance of offensive and defensive traits, and though not quick, she is evasive and runs all day to work over opponents.