AS PART of a new countdown series leading into the 2023 South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s season, we will name 23 players to watch who are under 23. We are only looking at those players who were born January 1, 2000 or later, have played a SANFL Women’s senior match and have never been on an AFL Women’s list. Today we are up to number #17 and it is Glenelg utility Madisyn Freeman.

#17 Madisyn Freeman (Glenelg)

DOB: 19/10/2001
Height: 165cm
Position: Utility
Local club: Salisbury

One of the most versatile players in the SANFL Women’s, Freeman told Rookie Me Central she is anticipating a more settled move to defence in 2023. The Bays premiership player has spent time on all three lines, and has carved out a consistent junior career that has kept her in draft contention for AFL Women’s. Freeman has made no secret about her desire to reach the top level, having gone through the junior pathways before transitioning to senior level.

Representing the Central Allies way back in 2019 as a 17-year-old, Freeman stepped into the AFL Women’s for Glenelg in 2018 and has been there ever since. Last season, the 20-year-old became the youngest player to reach 50 games in the competition. She averaged the 11.6 disposals, 1.4 marks, 1.9 clearances, 1.8 inside 50s and 3.4 tackles. Though they might not be numbers that jump off the page, she rarely wastes many chances, and is the ultimate team player, slotting in wherever possible.

Able to read the play well with speed to burn and terrific evasion, Freeman is a player who can tuck the ball under the arm and look to break lines when possible. Set to have a greater playmaking presence in 2023, she is hoping to have a hot start to the SANFL Women’s season which kicks off on February 17. With one eye on the Over-age Draft early in the year, and if unsuccessful then the 2023 AFL Women’s Draft, the former Crows train-on is keen to make the step up to the top level.

Freeman is one of those players who typically does not do much wrong. She is a reliable, clean skilled player both by hand or foot, gets into the right positions, and can use her athletic gifts to impact a contest. Though her production rate could life, being able to run off half-back and provide the drive that others such as Brooke Tonon and Sarah Goodwin have done with much success before stepping up to the AFL Women’s level will take her game to another level.

The role change and extra chance to make the top level is sure to spur Freeman on, and she comes in at number 17 because despite being those few years out from top-age talent, has a lot of weapons that could be further utilised on-field.