SNAPSHOT: “A highly-skilled and versatile player who has long been touted as one to watch in this year’s AFLW Draft class.”

Sophie Eaton is a player who could simply explode at the next level, and while she had her interruptions and inconsistencies in her top-age season, is a damaging and talented prospect with ball in hand. The saying ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ applies perfectly to Eaton in this sense, with the talented South Australian considered the top one from her state, particularly with her potential.

Eaton’s football journey started like many others, playing alongside the boys at Freeling, and then moved between there and Kapunda over the next few seasons. In 2022 aged just 15, Eaton was running around for Freeling seniors and starring with 16 goals in 15 games and named among the best seven times. In the same season, she booted 17 goals in 12 games at Under 16.5 level after crossing from Hamley Bridge where she was simply too good for that level.

Her performances throughout that season catapulted Eaton onto every radar, and she was zoned into Central District where she played 13 games in a memorable season. At just 16 years of age, Eaton played a key role in the Bulldogs’ flag, while also captaining South Australia at the Under 16 Development Championships, and winning the MVP in that successful carnival.

Incredibly, Eaton got the call-up to represent the tri-colours at Under 18s level, kicking a goal in both of the games she played, while averaging nine disposals and two inside 50s. With plenty of expectation entering her bottom-age campaign, Eaton largely played forward – while rolling up the ground – for Central District, kicking nine majors in 15 games and averaging 8.2 disposals, 2.1 marks, 2.7 tackles and 1.9 inside 50s.

On the national stage, Eaton covered some ground off a wing and also up forward, finishing with 15.3 disposals, 3.3 marks, 2.3 tackles and 4.0 inside 50s in another logical progression for the talented teenager. Her performances over the last couple of seasons unsurprisingly saw Eaton secure a National Academy spot, and had a big year ahead.

Unfortunately injury midway through the year meant she was restricted to just two games at the national championships and 10 for the Bulldogs at SANFLW level. In the former, she largely played out of defence, racking up 16.0 disposals, 2.0 marks and 6.5 rebound 50s, further showing her versatility after playing in the other thirds the last couple of seasons.

For Central District, Eaton averaged 14.1 disposals, 2.4 marks, 4.2 tackles and 2.3 inside 50s, but had some highs and lows, starting the year in incredible form, before having a couple of really quite games. She picked up to have a few eye-catching performances, but there was still some inconsistency through the course of the year.

Regardless, Eaton’s body of work over the last three years speaks for itself and earned her a National Draft Combine invite.

Click the ANALYSIS tab for more