WESTERN Jets ran out dominant winners over the Geelong Falcons at their Round 9 fixture, with the 10.13 (73) to 1.5 (11) result a comprehensive statement from a Jets side hitting its straps. Central to the performance was Alana D’Ambrosio, the 159cm left-footed small forward who finished with 15 disposals, two marks, five tackles, three inside 50s, four goals, and two behinds in a performance that confirmed the hype building around one of the 2027 draft’s more intriguing prospects.

BACKGROUND

Alana D’Ambrosio
Height: 159cm
DOB: 09/10/2009

A double bottom-ager in the 2026 Talent League Girls competition, Alana D’Ambrosio is a name familiar to those who have been watching the Victorian pathway closely. The younger sister of Hawthorn wingman Massimo, she has already established her own credentials – running out for Vic Metro at Under 16 level in 2025 alongside some of the most gifted young talent in the state. Known as a smart small forward with a damaging left foot who can be impactful around the goals, proved no overstatement on the evidence of her Round 9 showing.

The football-smart, D’Ambrosio is the type of forward who wins games through intelligence and pressure. She reads the play early, competes hard for her size, and when the ball lands at her feet, the left boot is reliable enough to hurt you from a range that belies her stature.

PLAYER FOCUS

Stats vs. Geelong Falcons, Round 9: 15 disposals (12 kicks, 3 handballs), 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 goals, 2 behinds.

QUARTER ONE

D’Ambrosio set the tone for her game in the opening term, racking up seven disposals and booting two goals in what was her most productive quarter. It took just 30 seconds for the talented left-footer to sweep up the ball in the forward pocket near the boundary, attempting a shot from an impossible angle. Though it went across the face, fortunately went out of bounds but resulted in a throw-in.

Remaining active in the first two minutes, D’Ambrosio gathered off a mis-placed kickout and handballed away cleanly before a couple of minutes later took a great mark inside 50 against Shayla McNeil. The Jets’ small’s set shot from 35m just fell short and was rushed across the line, but she would not have to wait long for some success.

In the sixth minute, D’Ambrosio showed off her elite forward craft with a brilliant clean gather and snap around her body from 20 metres to kick her first of the day. Her second would come four minutes later when after applying great forward pressure, won a free kick. Her set shot did not go as planned as she looked to pass off but ended up being a dribbler, but she remained active and won the ball back two handballs later before slamming home a second six-pointer.

D’Ambrosio finished off the massive first term with a great mark reading the play well, then selling some candy to get around the player on the mark and kick to a deep contest. Though it was ultimately cleared, D’Ambrosio was clearly best on ground when the quarter time siren sounded.

QUARTER TWO

A low-production, but high impact quarter resulted in D’Ambrosio kicking her third goal from just two disposals. Her first touch came after a controlled gather off the bounce on the forward side of the wing to snap to a contest at centre half-forward while under pressure.

While she had the opportunity to kick her third goal running in tandem with Tannah Pawlowski, D’Ambrosio instead applied the team shepherd in a two-on-one allowing her teammate to slam home a goal. The bottom-ager would not have to wait too long for her chance however, as in the 13th minute, she used that high footy IQ and forward craft to gather off hands at a contest and snap around her body from 25m to bounce home for her third major of the game.

QUARTER THREE

While the third term was the only quarter of the match where D’Ambrosio was unable to hit the scoreboard, she still competed well and gave her teammates chances to-boot. Her first involvement was flying in a marking contest, but was simply beaten by the far taller Lexi Whatley who stands at 25cm above the Jets prospect.

She was again out-bodied in the marking contest in the sixth minute, then used her smarts to intercept a handball and tap it towards a teammate before laying a strong tackle in the forward pocket to win a holding the ball free kick. Her set shot from 25m on a tight angle was pushed wide to the near left-side.

D’Ambrosio finished off her third term by producing a clever little chip kick to Paige McHutchison on the lead, weighting the pass perfectly and allowing her top-age teammate to have a shot on goal, which was ultimately missed.

QUARTER FOUR

Hungry to bounce back and hit the scoreboard, D’Ambrosio almost launched the goal of the game when taking a ping from just inside the 50-metre arc after taking a bounce. Though the attempt looked good and was on target, the last bounce went at a right angle and unfortunately gave D’Ambrosio a second behind.

Applying great defensive pressure in the front half to force mistakes, D’Ambrosio had another opportunity in the ninth minute, receiving the handball and from 15 metres out on a tight angle took aim. Unfortunately the rush of blood with the goals in sight saw her put it across the face and out on the full.

The bottom-ager made up for that mistake by kicking her fourth goal just a minute later. In a very similar circumstance, she gathered under pressure and threw it on the boot, but was far more balanced this time and watched as it bounced home between the big sticks.

Late in the quarter, D’Ambrosio ran into space to be a handball receive option in the forward pocket, and when her teammate decided to go herself, did the team thing and applied a block. Capping off a productive game, D’Ambrosio competed well in an aerial contest and at least neutralised the situation against a taller opponent allowing a teammate out in front to have a snap off her hands.

SUMMARY

D’Ambrosio is just a really smart small forward who is evasive and strong in the hips. She creates her own space, and while note quick like some small forwards, can anticipate plays well. Not a high-production player, D’Ambrosio is that five to 10-touch player who usually kicks two to three goals a game, and had a real breakout performance on the weekend. Her tackling pressure was very good and she caught the eye with her two-way work.

Still a bottom-ager, the 159cm prospect is a named to keep tabs on for 2027, particularly if she can continue to build on her athletic traits and consistency over the next 18 months.