IN TERMS of sheer impact last year from a bottom-age cohort, Sturt midfielder/forward Monique Bessen stood clearly on top from a SANFLW production perspective. The talented National Academy member already looked liked a veteran in the way she went about it, and now entering her top-age season as a readymade midfielder who can drift forward, she is named our number one top-age player to watch this year.

MONIQUE BESSEN PROFILE

DOB: 05/02/2007
Height: 174cm
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Sturt

SUMMARY

It seemed like Bessen had a breakout bottom-age season, but in reality, it was the continuation of an incredible debut year as a double bottom-ager in 2023. In her first season, the young gun averaged 14.4 disposals, 3.5 marks, 4.2 tackles and 2.1 clearances, kicking five goals across 11 games. Rewind to last season, and her numbers went up to 16.3 disposals, 3.6 marks, 4.9 tackles, 2.9 clearances and six goals in 12 games.

While her consistency is still an area the top-ager needs to work on, her best looked unbeatable and with India Rasheed now moving onto the Crows, Bessen will be that smooth-moving ball magnet who impacts forward of centre. Expect her to play on-ball and then drift inside 50 where she can hit the scoreboard, similar to what she did last year, but with more midfield time.

Bessen had a remarkable 32 disposals, eight marks, seven tackles, five clearances and two inside 50s against South Adelaide, and a 28-disposal, eight-mark, five-clearance and six-inside 50 game against Central District. While she also had some quieter outings throughout the course of the season, she does not need much of the ball to hurt the opposition, so when she does find it, it is maximum hurt factor.

Bessen has all the tricks and traits of being that complete midfielder who can rotate forward. She has some areas of her game to round out such as her strength and consistency, and her own personal goal of upping her explosiveness from contests, but in terms of using the ball and footy IQ, there are few more well-rounded players which is why she caps off our Top 15 SANFLW Players to watch.