ONE OF the top prospects in the 2025 AFL Women’s Draft, Dekota Baron is working back from injury nicely and had a big game for Southport on the weekend. In the first of two Pride Rounds through the QAFL Women’s, the Sharks smashed Aspley Hornets by 125 points as Baron booted five majors from 15 disposals and three marks.

Baron won best afield honours for her side at the Under 17 Futures match last season and has regularly been amongst the top five discussions. However a finger injury meant Baron’s 2025 campaign was put on ice for the first half, only returning for game two of Queensland’s AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. There, she showed signs of what she is capable of in the air, but was still rusty lining up for goal.

There was no such rust against the Hornets with Baron – who is still getting back to it spending time either deep or on the bench at different points – as she kicked her first big bag since last season. Her performance was the subject of our Player Focus.

PLAYER FOCUS:

2025 QAFL Women’s: Round 13
Southport 19.19 (133) def. Aspley Hornets 1.2 (8)

#15 Dekota Baron (Southport)
Stats: 15 disposals (8 kicks, 7 handballs), 3 marks (2 contested), 5 goals

FIRST HALF

Baron started the match in her familiar full-forward position and had a few deliveries at her feet, with one such one near the pocket and unfortunately as she tried to gather close to the line, came off her boot and wen out on the full. A few ‘almost’ chances followed with a kick to her feet, a one-handed mark that slipped and then an intercept grab by an Aspley defender coming across in front of her all delaying the inevitable.

Eventually the weight of inside 50s meant Baron would capitalise and that came in the ninth minute when close to the goalline, a loose ball bounced favourably to her. Wasting no time, she threw it on the boot and kicked her first. It would be her sole major in the first term as she worked up the ground to win a handball receive at the top of 50 a few minutes later and put it goalside of a teammate before even going into the middle for a centre square stoppage.

Baron doubled her tally less than a minute into the second quarter. Southport won it from the middle and kicked long where Baron was engaged in a one-on-one at the top of the goalsquare. Her Hornets opponent pinned her arm earning Baron a free kick from 15m out. Making no mistake, the Southport tall quickly got her side up and about early in the term. She would remain holding her line well and competing in the air even if she did not bring it down.

At the 12-minute mark, Baron pushed off an opponent – maybe a touch lucky not to be a push in the back – which enabled a teammate to snap a goal. Then later in the quarter, Baron read the play perfectly behind her opponent 14m out and fellow top-ager Sunny Lappin found her with precision. Making no mistake from close range, Baron finished the half with three goals, and set up another scoring opportunity with an unselfish pass inside 50 to finish the term after marking within range.

SECOND HALF

Baron actually started the second half off the ground and first appeared at the 11 and a half minute mark where she ran on to half-forward before pushing right to the goalsquare and clunking a mark on the chest. The key forward spotted where the kick was going, got proactive and took it safely, then went back and kicked another easy goal from close range.

The rest of the third term involved a clean handball off the deck which set up a goal to Hannah Davies, flicking the ball to her then applying a shepherd to ensure clean air to snap. A couple of times, Baron got into good positions but was unlucky not to receive the ball with either teammates taking shots, or the defenders being able to save the day.

Baron’s fourth term started off with her fifth and final goal, using great bodywork three minutes into the quarter to nudge her opponent out of the way, got goalside and soccered it home with ease. From there, the tall competed in a forward ruck stoppage and dished off to Davies shortly after with a gather and slick hands, before a last minute handball when tackled.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Baron is still building back to her best, and while she can have even more impact on gameday than on the weekend, the fact she is still in her first month of action since returning from a long-term injury and already slotting a bag of goals is promising for the future. The Southport key forward is set to represent Queensland again the next fortnight as the Maroons finish off their national carnival against the Allies and South Australia.

Baron’s strengths are her aerial presence, velcro-like hands and powerful kick, while being ultra-mobile and able to compete at ground level too. While her best work is done in the air resulting in a lot of set shots, as she showed on the weekend, Baron is more than comfortable getting it done off the deck and on the move as well. A bright and promising future awaits.