A WHOPPING 83 per cent of the National AFLW Draft Combine invitees suggest the AFL Women’s flag is a two-horse race. As part of the Draft Combine week, Rookie Me Central spoke to all 47 available players at the MCG with a series of questions to get a consensus on a number of topics.

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It should come as little surprise that when each of the 47 players were asked for their premiership tip, that two clubs dominated the discussion. Reigning back-to-back premiers North Melbourne, and the Roos’ greatest challenger Melbourne, made up 83.0 per cent, with the Dees actually pipping the Roos in a 42.6 to 40.4 per cent split.

Essentially, only eight prospects selected another side that does not have ‘Melbourne’ in its name, with Sydney (three votes) the next highest, followed by Geelong and Gold Coast (two apiece) and then a solitary vote for Hawthorn. Somewhat ironically, the Hawks are the only side to defeat North Melbourne in the past two and a half seasons. There was no love for top four side Carlton who did not poll even a consideration vote despite a large portion of draftees actually following the Blues.

Premiership Pie:

The major consideration for not picking North Melbourne was surrounding a ‘winning fatigue’ ie. prospects wanted to see another club take out the flag for a change. Even when selecting Melbourne, they noted it was ‘hard to fault’ the Roos or they were the ‘obvious choice’ but they wanted to pick the Dees to hope a change was in order.

Speaking of hope, the likes of Emma Charlton (Adelaide) and Aiyana Pritchard (Brisbane) were hoping for a change of fortunes for their respective clubs, though ultimately tipped Melbourne and Hawthorn respectively. Pritchard, the only player to nominate Hawthorn, did also tip the Dees as a second side she thought could win it.

Eastern Ranges skipper Emily Rankin was “100 per cent” confident in Melbourne getting up, while Dees supporter Lacey Nihill also backed the Dees in and another Ranges talent in Adelaide Caldicott described the club as “on the rise to be a really special team”.

Funnily enough, Vic Metro MVP Alli Allen and Lions Academy forward Harlee McIlwain both believe their tips “have it in the bag” thoguh opted for Melbourne and North Melbourne respectively. Top pick Bailee Martin, Suns Academy member Stephanie Aguinaldo and Lions Academy prospect Zoe Petrides all sided with the Roos, but also nominated the Dees as a ‘chance’.

Nearly all of the North Melbourne votes were down to the side being either “too strong” or “just hard to go past” with Swans talent Charlotte Tidemann nominating the Roos, but also suggesting Hawthorn as a dark horse “if they get there (to the grand final)”. Fellow Swans prospect Grace Tracey described North’s first loss in three seasons and recent form prior to that as a “rough patch” but expects them to bounce back – as they did against the Dees – and win the flag, much like Sandringham Dragons’ Grace McIntyre who believes said loss will only motivate them further.

National Academy member Sophie White conceded it was “very hard to go past North” but she said she was a “Swannies girl” so hoped Sydney could “get up”. Speaking of the Swans, they did muster up three votes, though all three were from the Swans own Academy in Aurelia Russell, Evie Bowie and Ashleigh Barlow.

Geelong’s two votes came from Northern Knights speedster Maddison Meagher and West Perth midfielder Lexi Strachan, while Suns Academy member Summer Browning picked Gold Coast, as did fellow Queenslander – albeit Lions Academy member – Ella Gibson.

Polled Players [47]: Adelaide Caldicott, Aiyana Pritchard, Alli Allen, Ashleigh Barlow, Aurelia Russell, Ava Bilyk, Bailee Martin, Brylee Anderson, Cara Dziegielewski, Charlotte Tidemann, Eliza Roche, Ella Gibson, Emily Mableson, Emily Rankin, Emma Charlton, Evie Bowie, Frankie Walsh, Georgie Fielder, Grace McIntyre, Grace Tracey, Greea McKeegan, Harlee McIlwain, Isabella Mazzei, Kiara Boyd, Lacey Nihill, Layla Vizgaudis, Lexi Strachan, Lily Milner, Lucy Moore, Maddison Meagher, Majella Day, Mia Carlshausen, Mia Geere, Miyu Endersby, Molly Ferguson, Morgan Stevens, Ruby Lynch, Scout Semple, Sienna Clinch, Sophia Green, Sophie White, Steph Aguinaldo, Summer Browning, Taya Maxwell, Tayla Olivieri, Zoe Curry, Zoe Petrides.

Note: Evie Bingham was the sole National Draft Combine invitee not in attendance, while Sienna Clinch and Grace Tracey were both upgraded from the State Draft Combine to attend the National Draft Combine.