ATHLETIC tall forward Alicia Blizard came agonisingly close to dragging her East Fremantle side across the line during a heartbreaking loss to South Fremantle as the WAFL Women’s season kicked off over the weekend. Blizard was prominent working up and down the ground, finding pockets of space inside 50 and often getting goalside to punish the opposition.

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Blizard kicked all four of East Fremantle’s goals in the three-point loss where the Sharks led by 15 points with four minutes left on the clock. While the defeat will be disappointing for last year’s grand finalists, the form of Blizard as a target up forward was a huge positive to come out of the game.

ALICIA BLIZARD PROFILE

DOB: 15/11/2007
Height: 174cm
Position: Tall Forward
Strengths: Speed, athleticism, forward craft, groundballs, goal sense
Improvements: Contested marking, endurance

PLAYER FOCUS:

2025 WAFL Women’s – Round 1:
East Fremantle 4.6 (30) def. by South Fremantle 5.3 (33)

#17 Alicia Blizard (East Fremantle)
Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 4 hitouts, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 4 goals, 94 AFL Fantasy points

FIRST QUARTER

Blizard took a little while to feature with other targets being utilised, though she did win a touch in the 12th minute thanks to reading the exit kick well, spoiling at half-forward then kicking deep inside 50 under pressure. Unfortunately that kick was turned over, but the East Fremantle tall would have another few touches in the first term, including a clean handball away after a great gather on the deck less than a minute later.

She would fly high on the wing in the 14th minute as the ball unfortunately bounced off her chest, but her biggest impact would come in the last few minutes of the quarter where after seeing the turnover and her teammates take control up the field, darted towards goal. All alone inside 50 she took it and strolled into an easy goal from point-blank range.

SECOND QUARTER

Blizard really started to get going in the second term as she became a headache for the opposition defence. Her first touch came a minute into the quarter with a clean gather, sidestep towards the boundary away from an opponent then used the outside of her right boot to kick to a contest. She would force a turnover with great forward pressure shortly after, and was looking hungry for the ball.

A couple of chances came by shortly after, and though Blizard did drop a chest mark, she got the handball away cleanly to skipper Ash Gomes. Her next opportunities resulted in a juggling mark off a tumbling ball 15m out and she quickly threw it on the outside of the boot for a goal. Another chest mark in midfield was followed by an attempt to play on, but the bounce went astray and Blizard had to make do by kicking quickly to a contest at half-forward.

In the 15th minute, Blizard flew for a mark that came off hands, but her second effort at ground level to win it was fantastic. While that element of her game – the marking – is a continued improvement, her defensive pressure and ability to react at groundlevel is first class.

THIRD QUARTER

Blizard kicked goal number three midway through the premiership quarter after once again sneaking forward and somehow being left unattended. A lovely kick from Chloe Reilly hit Blizard perfectly and she ran on to nail the goal with great composure.

She started the quarter in the goalsquare one-on-one and often against fellow State Academy member Marie Polimeno. She battled hard against the young Bulldog with her opponent winning it in the marking contest once getting it to ground, but Blizard then immediately applying pressure.

Blizard wrapped up the third quarter with a sensational gather at half-forward and delivered a lightning quick handball to Noa McNaughton at speed. By the final break, East Fremantle was firmly in control, and up until Zoe Huggett’s first major in the last few seconds, Blizard was the only goalkicker in the match.

FOURTH QUARTER

Further making a statement early in the final term, Blizard kicked what looked like the match-sealing goal and was the best of her quartet. She scooped up the loose ball following a great forward 50 tackle from Mylee Leitch, then sidestepped Megan Bain close to the boundary to buy time to straighten on her right and chipped home her fourth from 20 metres out on a 45-degree angle.

Blizard would have a couple more touches throughout the first half of the term, and while not able to get many deep forward, worked up the ground to try and influence. Her final touch came in the 15th minute where inside the centre square, she gathered cleanly and was able to dish off well.

While ultimately the last few minutes would be disappointing from a Sharks perspective as they watched their 15-point lead evaporate and turn into a three-point loss, Blizard was a shining light in the match, able to kick a goal in each of the four quarters.

FINAL THOUGHTS…

Alicia Blizard had a terrific first-up game against South Fremantle to finish with four goals from her 16 disposals and five marks, While only laying the two tackles, Blizard is known for her forward pressure, which is elite for a player of her size. That, along with her explosive speed and athleticism make her a handful for any opposition.

Her main area of improvement comes with her marking, with Blizard fortunately having the ability to recover from a dropped mark quickly and keep the ball moving to her team’s advantage. Once that comes more consistently, she will be an even bigger threat inside 50. Going forward, Blizard looms as a key target for the Sharks this season and will be one to watch in 2025.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS: 2024 AFLW UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIPS