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 remaining talls in the AFLW Draft crop, with many on this list a little below key position height, but able to take on the bigger forwards still, or be a tall target inside 50.

>> GENERAL DEFENDERS
>> GENERAL FORWARDS
>> VERSATILE MIDFIELDERS
>> WINGERS
>> KPP/RUCKS
>> UTILITIES

TALL DEFENDERS/FORWARDS:

Georgie Brisbane (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)

Height: 175cm
DOB: 13/12/2006
Key Strengths: Aerial ability, athleticism, footy IQ
Main Improvement: Agility

The athletic tall forward had a wonderful top-age season, cementing her spot as one of the best marking targets after a slow start to the year. She dominated in two of her three games for Vic Metro, and was a key target leading the Eastern Ranges through to another Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final. Outstanding in the air, happy to scrap at ground level and with a high work rate to get up the ground – she has spent some time as a wing in the past – Brisbane looms as a top prospect in 2024.

Grace Baba (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)

Height: 174cm
DOB: 17/09/2006
Key Strengths: Athleticism, aerial ability, aggression
Main Improvement: Decision making

An exciting long-term prospect with some seriously eye-catching traits. Expect Baba to be in Mark of the Year contention at different points with the way she can lift off from the ground and soar well above her opponents. She has high-level aggression, great speed and evasion, and loves to tuck the ball under her arm and take off. The National Academy member is still tidying up her decision making and aiming to remain focused through the full four quarters, but her athletic traits couple with her football ones are sensational.

Millie Lang (GWV Rebels)

Height: 177cm
DOB: 06/11/2006
Key Strengths: Strength, intercept marking, reading the play
Main Improvement: Speed

The GWV Rebels leader has been a rock in defence all year and last year, providing a reliable intercept marking target. She reads the play so well, competes one-on-one and will provided a voice for her teammates. She is not the quickest player going around, but her bread and butter is in her strength and footy IQ, with her hands like velcro even with pressure around her. A good size and can compete against taller opponents thanks to her ability to edge opponents out in marking contests.

Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide / South Australia)

Height: 176cm
DOB: 08/06/2006
Key Strengths: Competitiveness, one-on-ones, composure
Main Improvement: Vertical jump

It was a wonderful season from the South Adelaide defender who came alive and maximised her potential through her role at SANFLW level. Always a terrific one-on-one lockdown defender, Schirmer added some more offensive run and carry to her game. She has a calming presence in the back 50, and for clubs looking for a defender who will almost always do a job, Schirmer is one of the most reliable players in the draft crop. Has some athletic traits too without being explosive, but she competes against talls and smalls.

Taya Chambers (East Fremantle / Western Australia)

Height: 176cm
DOB: 16/07/2006
Key Strengths: Aerial ability, explosive speed, athleticism
Main Improvement: Endurance

When it comes to explosiveness and athleticism for talls, Chambers is one that has the full package. She can run a 3.2-second 20m sprint, and leap high to either clunk marks or take spoils. At times the East Fremantle defender has also pushed up to a wing, and while her endurance is an area she is still building, the top-ager has proven herself over multiple years for the Sharks at WAFLW level. Chambers will have a wide draft range considering her unique traits for her size, and though still developing her game is a prospect ready to go to the next level.

Lucy Boyd (West Adelaide / South Australia)

Height: 173cm
DOB: 12/10/2006
Key Strengths: Strength, one-on-ones, footy IQ
Main Improvement: Agility

A powerful defender who has been thrown forward and even in the middle for some stints, Boyd stands at just under that key position height, but is aggressive, holds her own one-on-one and boasts a high level of footy IQ. While not super athletic, Boyd’s game centres around intercepting the ball on turnover – be it through marking or running past for the handball receive – and then taking off down the ground with a penetrating kick that breaks down the opposition defensive zones. She is not the complete player yet, but has some crucial traits for a defender.

Tiani Teakle (East Fremantle / Western Australia)

Height: 177cm
DOB: 01/07/2006
Key Strengths: Strength, marking, versatility
Main Improvement: Speed

The sister of Port Adelaide’s Julia has kept her name in AFLW Draft contention following an important switch from attack to defence. She showed that her traits of reading the play, marking and strength were even more adaptable in defence considering her athletic profile is the area that most needs improving. She can clunk some serious grabs, and uses the ball well by foot, weighing up her options and taking the best chance of ball retention and clearing it from defence. Is a later draft option but certainly has developable aspects to her game.

Siobhan Ross (Southport / Suns Academy / Queensland)

Height: 172cm
DOB: 16/03/2006
Key Strengths: Accountability, run-and-carry, one-on-ones
Main Improvement: Composure

The former West Australian is available in the open pool after Gold Coast Suns ran out of list spots to add any more Academy athletes, but Ross looms as one of the value picks for teams with later selections. She is strong defensively, but can run off her opponents as well, providing some great drive from the back 50 to attack. That balance makes her a two-way player, and having also spent time further afield, Ross has that versatility box ticked as well. Ross has interest from other clubs to get a State Draft Combine invite, and has no qualms about relocating.