FOUR spots remain on AFL Women’s lists, with a quartet of clubs passing on their final selections in last night’s AFL Women’s Draft. While the glamour and emotions of being picked up is always highlighted and enjoyed, there is the counter side which saw more than 500 nominated players overlooked.

For many, they did not go into the night expecting too much, but for those players who had AFL Women’s Draft Combine invites, or had played consistent football all year, it was a disappointing blow. Luckily, the opportunities to reach the top level do not stop at AFLW Draft night, as evidenced by a number of over-agers and mature-agers selected.

But prior to potentially making the jump in future years, there are four list spots right now for AFLW Draft prospects to take advantage of in the coming months. Geelong, GWS, Melbourne and North Melbourne all passed on their final selections of the night, meaning they can opt to sign a free agent over the Summer.

For most of those players overlooked, at the top end of the talent scale, there was a key deficiency in their games – speed. Of the five players from Rookie Me Central’s October Power Rankings that missed out, all five are outstanding footballers in their own right with high level footy IQ and strength. Unfortunately for them, in the battle of footballer against athlete, it appeared the latter won out for the majority of clubs.

Here’s five prospects who were the next highest ranked still available for clubs to select:

Jaime Henry (Swan Districts / Western Australia)
05/10/2005 | 173cm | Midfielder / Defender

The inside midfielder who cut her teeth as a tall defender coming through the WAFL Women’s initially was perhaps the biggest surprise left on the board. From a footballing perspective her understanding of the game is elite, she is powerful and has a neat left foot. She might lack the pace of others, but is a natural leader and as clean on the inside as they come.

Mel Staunton (GWS Giants Academy / NSW-ACT)
24/01/2005 | 167cm | Midfielder / Forward

It seems a far cry since Staunton won the best on ground for the AFLW Academy against the Under 23 All-Stars. Given the Giants opted to not to take any local talents, but passed on their final selection, suggests Staunton could be the one for them, boasting great power on the inside and an ability to go forward.

Jemma Ramsdale (Dandenong Stingrays / Vic Country)
07/05/2005 | 174cm | Tall Defender

The Dandenong Stingrays skipper had a fantastic second half of the Talent League season, and is a prolific interceptor and leader. Perhaps the best example of a natural footballer without the athleticism, Ramsdale had garnered interest interstate including Sydney, but the Swans opted for Oakleigh Chargers skipper and similar rebounding defender Lara Hausegger.

Anjelique Raison (East Fremantle / Western Australia)
07/09/2005 | 181cm | Key Position Utility

The East Fremantle premiership player – who has since switched to Claremont over the off-season – is the ultimate utility. She can play back, forward, midfield or ruck, though again the lack of athleticism would have hurt her chances. From a footballing perspective she has great hands and a powerful kick, and considering her year had its fair share of injury interruptions, she could be back with a bang next season.

Lily Jordan (GWV Rebels / Vic Country)
29/06/2005 | 164cm | General Forward

The tenacious small seemed to have pieced together a strong season towards the backend after a mid-season lull, showing both her offensive and defensive side bookending the year. She is powerful, knows where the goals are and lays plenty of tackles, and while she is not the quickest player going around, has elite endurance and a high work rate.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER:

Gold Coast Suns and Queensland skipper Josie McCabe is another player who has the potential to make the jump as a powerful inside midfielder and forward. She again lacks that speed, but has great hands in close and is a defensive powerhouse.

Ava Jordan the 145cm talent with elite footy IQ missed out as well, with the Northern Knights small one who has the mindset to compete against far bigger opponents.

Sydney Swans Academy and Allies’ MVP Marnie Robinson could not have done much more this season, winning All-Australian honours as well in the back pocket, but the defender was also overlooked.