GIPPSLAND Power might have gone down in their Coates Talent League Girls quarter finals clash to Murray Bushrangers, but it did not stop marking machine Abby Hobson having a huge day out for the Power at Shepley Oval.

The talented top-ager booted three goals – including back-to-back majors in the premiership quarter – and clunked five contested marks among 10 total grabs to do everything she could to try and drag her side over the line. Hobson was the subject of our Coates Talent League Girls Player Focus.

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 Coates Talent League Girls Quarter Finals Round 19
Gippsland Power 8.4 (52) def. by Murray Bushrangers 11.5 (71)

#32 Abby Hobson
Stats: 13 disposals (11 kicks, 2 handballs), 10 marks (5 contested), 4 tackles, 1 inside 50, 3 goals, 1 behind, 102 AFL Fantasy Points

FIRST QUARTER:

Stats: 4 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 goal, 1 behind

Hobson is one of the best first quarter players in the league, with plenty of her goals coming early in matches. The Gippsland Power forward continued that trend with a strong mark on the lead in the pocket, converting a set shot major from 15m out but on a tight angle. She made it look easy to get on the board against the flow of the game.

Her earlier involvement was a clever body smother on Rose Bell‘s kick to force a turnover and Gippsland to go forward, before making her aerial dominance felt inside 50. She clunked two more big grabs for set shots in the final few minutes, though one pushed wide for a behind, and the other shanked to the left, falling short and was. eventually spoiled out of bounds.

SECOND QUARTER:

Stats: 4 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles

Hobson’s second term began with a strong grab on the wing and handball off six minutes into the contest, before drawing a crowd around the ball a few minutes later. She battled against three opponents in attack, and though she could not mark, did bring it to ground to provide an even contest for. her team.

As Murray continued to pepper the goals, Hobson drifted into defence late in the quarter to provide strength in the air and deny opposition easy marks inside 50. On a couple of occasions she was able to bring the ball to ground or force the Bushrangers to look elsewhere to kick, which helped limit the scoring.

THIRD QUARTER:

Stats: 2 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 2 goals

Funnily enough, Hobson will be most remembered in the game for her third quarter despite only having two touches. That is mainly the case because both were goals, and potentially match-defining at that. Her first goal in the 14th minute came from a brilliant mark out in front and a set shot from 40m that cleared the hands on the line after a small discussion.

Just over two minutes later, Hobson took another contested mark out in front, slightly closer in and there was no discussion needed this time as it sailed past the goalline and over the umpire’s hat. Her two goals had turned a seven-point deficit into a five-point lead which became 11 points at the final break.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Stats: 3 disposals, 3 marks, 1 inside 50

Hobson’s aerial dominance continued into the last term with an elite contested mark in a pack where she rose from third deep to clunk the grab so well. The thing about Hobson’s marking is she is not a super athlete, but more reads the ball exceptionally well in flight and uses her frame, and timing to jump, to perfection.

Even later in the match with five minutes to go, Hobson was still having an influence, taking two strong marks at half-forward, and on both occasions, managed to find Lily Milner for shots on goal. Though the pair of attempts only added one behind to the scoreboard, Hobson’s presence inside 50 was a major factor in Gippsland remaining in the game.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Abby Hobson is a unique AFLW Draft prospect and it comes as no surprise she earned a National Draft Combine invite. While she might not have the ridiculous athleticism of some, what she does from a football nous standpoint is similar incredible. She leads to the right spots, positions herself well, and most importantly rarely drops a mark.

Them when required, aside from the odd miss, goes back and delivers with the set shot. Her work rate up the ground is fantastic and Hobson is very similar to Collingwood men’s forward Brodie Mihocek. A reliable forward who just gets the job done week-in, week-out and is strong strong overhead with outstanding footy IQ, forward craft and a safe shot on goal.

In terms of December’s draft, Hobson would be among the more reliable tall forward options, and thought perhaps a touch undersized at 174cm, she plays like a key forward. In the 2025 season, Hobson averaged 6.2 marks from 16.9 disposals, booting 20 goals – and only eight behinds – including seven games of multiple goals. The Power talent is one to remember.