FOR the first time in 2023, our WAFL Women’s Player Focus turns to a member outside the State Academy, in West Perth over-ager Jeevna Heer. The Falcons winger/forward is enjoying an incredibly impressive season, and took her game to another level against West Perth on the weekend. A 19-year-old with slick skills and good vision as well as composure under pressure, she has shown the traits of taking her game to the next level.

2023 WAFL Women’s Round 11
West Perth 6.2 (38) defeated Peel Thunder 4.3 (27)

STATS: 22 disposals (12 kicks, 10 handballs – 64% efficiency), 11 contested possessions, 3 marks (2 contested), 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

FIRST QUARTER

Starting at half-forward, Jeevna Heer first had a chance at the three-minute mark where she competed in an aerial contest against multiple opponents. Though not able to win a disposal, she would soon begin racking them up in a big way. In the eighth minute, Heer had a kick to her feet and though she could not grab it the first time, received via hand from a teammate and delivered a neat short kick for her first official disposal.

There were a lot of ‘almost’ marking chances for Heer through the first term as it spilt off hands. Her work at ground level was very impressive though and she was able to win it cleanly off the deck. In the 10th minute, Heer won multiple handballs at the stoppage and again picking it up swiftly one-touch a minute later. She should have clunked a mark 15m out from goal in the 13th minute but pressure saw it come off hands, before firing off a flick handball to Grace Betti inside 50.

Heer’s quarter would finish with a couple more touches, with the first symbolic of her performance, just dropping the mark, but being ultra-clean at ground level to quickly flick off a handball. She won a free kick 55m out for a great tackle and kicked to the hot spot for a leading forward, though the pass was chopped off by young star Evie Cowcher.

SECOND QUARTER

Heer’s second quarter was her quietest of the four, with her main moment in the first half of the quarter being a marking contest with Cowcher. The West Perth talent did managed to spoil the ball then tapped it out to space at ground level.

Later in the term, she presented well leading out in a marking contest but was bumped off it at half-forward, then in the final minute, won the ball at half-back. She kicked to the wing, and though it was turned over, ran hard to win it back and kicked with the outside of the boot to the defensive side of the wing and ensure Peel Thunder did not kick a late goal.

THIRD QUARTER

Back on the case again, Heer was busy in the third term as she won the ball in defence and fired out a clean handball under pressure. She went to apply a tackle in the next play but was shrugged off, though took an intercept mark in the third minute and hit-up Jessica Roper with the short kick. She would combine with Roper via a lovely timed handball at the eight minute mark, having taken another mark on-on-one after moving back to the wing. The kick turned over, but her stats were ticking over, as was her influence on the game.

In the 11th minute of the quarter, Heer went up for a mark and though it came off hands, played on and kicked effectively to the wing with her lovely technique. She could have had another mark a minute later but again just came off hands, then dropped a mark in the final couple of minutes because it was presented at her feet. She created a contest and forced a stoppage at half-forward though.

FOURTH QUARTER

One of Heer’s best passages of play came in the opening minute of the fourth term, breaking through a tackle on the wing and kicking long inside 50 leading to a score. She then backed up by applying a strong bump on the wing in the fourth minute of the term.

In the ninth minute, Heer took a strong one-on-one mark in a confidence-boosting play, then turned and hit-up Kayla Van Den Heever with precision. A few minutes later, Heer received the ball in defence and produced a lovely weighted pass to the defensive side of the wing.

In the 13th minute, Heer backed into a pack showing terrific courage and was able to bring the ball to ground, before a final play tat was arguably her best of the day. Marking at half-back she took off straight down the corridor, and by going route one, lead to a goal to Betti.

CLOSING THOUGHTS ….

Jeevna Heer is still a young talent, having turned 19 earlier this year and has come along in leaps and bounds. As an outside player, Heer has benefited from West Perth improving its inside stocks, and has lifted her production rate in-toe. Her aerial ability still needs work and she is still light, but she finds space and is able to influence with her slick skills, great vision and good decision making. Though not a top-ager, Heer is one who might come under consideration from AFLW clubs if she can maintain her form throughout the season, or be one to consider in coming seasons.