STRENGTHS:

+ Marking + Forward craft + Scoreboard impact + Set shot goalkicking + Strength

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Agility - Ground balls

PROFILE:

Mason's form in Falcons colours is hard to deny in 2023. After playing the one game last season, Mason took a little while to click inside 50, but when it did, she filled her boots with some massive goal hauls. After being held goalless in the opening fortnight of the season, the Falcons forward kicked three goals in the following fortnight, before really making the most of Geelong's dominance inside 50.

Between Rounds 7-11, Mason slammed home 21 goals at an average of 5.25 per game in a massive purple patch. Though she was playing three of the four bottom sides in the competition - the Bendigo Pioneers, Murray Bushrangers and Northern Territory - she still kicked half a dozen against Tasmania Devils, which would arguably be her best performance of the season.

Mason found the going a little tougher in the run home, held goalless twice, but also kicking another seven goals by the end of the regular season. A further five in finals was important for her confidence, given she had only kicked the one against an eventual top four side - from four games - in the regular season. At the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Mason averaged a goal a game from 6.3 disposals and 2.0 marks.

From her statistical form to her profile, Mason is your traditional forward who can be incredibly dangerous when given the opportunities. She is strong, good overhead and a reliable set shot, but can also convert opportunities with snaps. The latter is a little more inconsistent as you would expect from a 177cm player, which is why at times her accuracy might have been a little skewed.

Regardless, one could not knock her forward craft, as she knows where to go and what to do, and then finish off strongly. The knocks come once the ball hits the deck, and while her intent and follow-up work is good, Mason can still further improve her ground level work, and her agility. Against more athletic defenders, the Falcons forward will look to beat them in the air, as she will have a more challenging time once it hits the deck.

What clubs get with Mason is a no-nonsense key forward who has that presence and contested marking ability inside 50. There might be more athletic forwards, but she is able to leap well and clunk some big grabs, then finish off her work. Her numbers leap off the page from a goalkicking sense, and while the majority came against weaker sides, kicking bags of four or more - including one of six and seven - for fun is far from easy.