WITHOUT a doubt possessing the strongest top-end talent of an AFL Women’s Draft to-date, the 2024 draft crop looks to easily be the deepest cohort in the competition draft’s short history. Already regarded as having a deep top-end. that depth is extended right throughout the draft, meaning for players who miss out this year, opportunities to be taken as a top-up or replacement player, or even in next year’s draft, will be a higher possibility than before.

In today’s article, we highlight a few players who are outside the AFLW Academy and our previous July Power Rankings, but have caught the eye through the national carnival to-date. Naturally, the discussion is limited to top-age players. We have named 10, but there are many more who could make the list.

Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)
Midfielder / Forward | 175cm | 09/09/2006

Belloni has enjoyed a really consistent top-age season, mostly through the midfield for Eastern, and then predominantly as a forward for Vic Metro. Strong at the contest with powerful, clean hands, Belloni does the little things right, and while not always as polished as some others, had upped her game in 2024 to make a super impact wherever she plays. Her dominant 20-plus disposal, four-goal performance against Allies showed what she can do as a forward rotating on-ball, and then loomed large at times against Vic Country playing exclusively forward. Will be in the mix for the next Power Rankings, but one of many in a deep draft.

Georgie Brisbane (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)
Tall Forward | 175cm | 13/12/2006

As soon as she clunked the first mark against the Allies in game one, it was clear Brisbane was set for a big day, and the Eastern Ranges skipper is a player who can be the barometer for her side. Lacking some confidence and form early in the season, Brisbane has been sublime since returning from a break mid-season, looking every bit the athletic tall forward she showed last season. On talent alone she has first round potential, and even when well held in the first half last weekend, stepped it up in the second to really prove a headache for Vic Country.

Chloe Bryant (Geelong Falcons / Vic Country)
Wing | 165cm | 12/09/2006

A genuine top 30 chance, Bryant has made every post a winner since returning from injury this season. While going down against Dandenong Stingrays in Round 3 looked to be something that curtailed her year, since coming back Bryant has averaged 17.0 disposals, 2.5 marks and 4.5 inside 50s at Coates Talent League Girls level, and then produced big for Country in both of her games playing off a wing. She recorded 13 disposals in both games and stepped it up under the Marvel Stadium roof with five marks and three inside 50s as well.

Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights / Vic Metro)
Utility | 172cm | 03/06/2006

One of the players on the precipice of our top 30, Hargreaves had a huge game last weekend for Vic Metro where she found plenty of ball in the midfield and worked hard to get into space as well. A talent known for her capacity to play on all three lines, Hargreaves is someone who can play inside or outside, with a nice powerful burst over the first few metres, and some great strength on the inside. Others might have more runs on the board in that Vic Metro midfield, but she has the traits that adapt to the next level and is a good size for a midfielder, while being able to slot into just about any position on the field.

Grace Martin (Woodville-West Torrens Eagles / South Australia)
Utility | 164cm | 01/09/2006

The Eagles utility has spent time on all three lines over the last few seasons, but has come on in leaps and bounds in 2024. Suiting up for South Australia on-ball yesterday, Martin held her own yesterday and covered the ground well to finish with 17 disposals, two ,arks, three tackles, three inside 50s and five rebound 50s. Cracks in with her fair share of hardball gets, Martin can also run hard to win handball receives too and provide some dash – an area she has improved over the off-season – down the ground. Was just outside the 30 last time out, so in and extended rankings will be thereabouts.

Nyalli Milne (Bond University / Gold Coast Suns Academy / Queensland)
Wing | 171cm | 26/05/2006

An explosive speedster who in the past has primarily played forward or rolled through the midfield, Milne has found her home on a wing where she can use the open spaces to explode away from opponents and provide plenty of drive into attack. She has rare speed that has levels above most other opponents, and her tackling pressure is also very good. Fine-tuning her usually effective kicking skills when at her explosive top speed is the next step, but has some really exciting traits both offensively and defensively, and no doubt has the potential to provide some exciting highlights in the future.

Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays / Vic Country)
Forward / Midfielder | 163cm | 29/04/2006

One of the cleanest players going around, Reynolds is class personified. She was arguably the 31st player in our Power Rankings last month, but after sustained impact across two games at the national championships, it is clear she will be on the other side of the 30. Generally a lovely user of the ball by hand or foot, Reynolds can win it inside or outside and distribute of it consistently well. She might not be tall compared to some other midfielders, but her ground level work – as well as her strength overhead stands out. A really promising player who has been working on her first-possession winning.

Mia Salisbury (Bond University / Gold Coast Suns Academy / Queensland)
Midfielder | 168cm | 27/06/2006

Plenty has been spoken in the past on here about Salisbury and her ability to slow down time through midfield and execute well by hand. She was on the precipice of squeezing into the initial Power Rankings and was ultra-impressive against Vic Country then one of the better Queenslanders in the loss to the Allies. Has played off half-back before and relishes being that creator or distributor down the field with great skills when given time and space, and while still rounding out her game, Salisbury is one who has ticked the final box to make it into our next Power Rankings edition.

Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide / South Australia)
Tall Defender | 177cm | 08/06/2006

Defenders do not always get the plaudits that other roles do, but few have been as consistent as Schirmer this season. Athletic with above average speed and vertical leap, Schirmer remains a consistent force in the back 50. She did not always have a stack to do in a dominant team performance against the Allies, but still finished with 11 disposals, four marks and two rebound 50s. Went at 72.7 per cent efficiency in the win, and has been given the freedom to run and create from half-back at South Adelaide. Deservedly became a SANFLW premiership player in 2024 and is one of the better balanced defenders.

Ellie Veerhuis (Figtree / Sydney Swans Academy / Allies)
Midfielder | 173cm | 18/01/2006

One of the surprise packets of the carnival was Veerhuis who really stepped up to the role of playing midfield in her past two games after being a clever rebounder for the Sydney Swans Academy this season. A nice height at 173cm, Veerhuis moves well through midfield, can find the ball and work it forward, Veerhuis’ last two national carnival matches saw her average 16.0 disposals, 7.5 tackles, 3.5 clearances and 2.5 inside 50s. Perhaps more of a later prospect with upside, Veerhuis really staked her case with a promising championships.