PRESEASON has been well underway across the country for the next crop of AFLW hopefuls, with the state leagues beginning their trial matches over the next month ahead of season starts in March. As part of that, we will run a series taking a look at some of the players to watch for the 2025 AFLW Draft outside our Top 25 in 2025.

>> Top 25 prospects in 2025

East Fremantle’s Alicia Blizard boasts all the traits of a modern day tall forward. With incredible athleticism, an ability to clunk the ball at the highest point but recover quickly when she doesn’t mark it, Blizard is a player with enormous upside. We take a look at her profile and why she is one to watch for the 2025 AFLW Draft.

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East Fremantle, Western Australia GirlsTall Forward

Alicia Blizard

Height: 174cm

Weight: -

DOB: 15-11-2007

BY THE NUMBERS:

2024 AFLW U18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (3 games)
8.0 disposals | 1.0 marks | 2.0 tackles | 1.3 inside 50s | 1.7 goals

2024 WAFL WOMEN’S (7 games)
10.7 disposals | 2.3 marks | 1.6 tackles | 2.7 inside 50s | 1.0 goals

STRENGTHS

+ Athleticism
+ Speed
+ Defensive pressure
+ Power
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Upside

The prototype tall forward needs to be athletic, quick, powerful and boast an ability to consistently hit the scoreboard. For Blizard, she ticks each of these boxes. Her speed for a player of her size is undeniable and she tested incredibly well across the board at the 2025 WAFLW Preseason Testing Day last month.

She can clunk some great marks, but her best assets come to the fore once the ball hits the ground. Unlike some tall forwards, Blizard recovers quickly, can pounce on a loose ball and turn on a dime, or if the opponent does crumb it, the West Australian will apply great defensive pressure to the opponent to lock the ball in and potentially win the ball back through a turnover free kick.

With ball-in-hand Blizard is capable, but she does her best work with goal in sight, averaging a goal per game for East Fremantle and booting five goals from three matches for the Sandgropers. Able to break through tackles herself and draw opponents to dish off by hand, Blizard can beat an opposition defender in a number of ways.

Upside is always subjective, but considering she does have areas of improvement – that could very well come on in leaps and bounds throughout the year – she is one who could continue her upward trajectory given the foundations she has laid over the last 12 months.

QUESTION MARK(S)

The main question mark for Blizard will be remaining fit, uninjured and able to build up her endurance base over the next 12 months. Speaking to the East Fremantle prospect in the preseason, it appears her reconisable knee brace will be off in season 2025, having overcome her knee issues of the past and admitted she really only had it on for reassurance later in 2024.

She has had her fair share of interruptions, and that is why focusing on building her endurance is key for 2025. That is the main element that holds her back from impacting more consistently and for longer. She does so much damage in spurts, that when she can improve that fitness significantly, it will be bad news for opposition defenders, especially if she ends up playing a high half-forward role.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

THEY SAID

Trent Cooper – WAFC Manager of Female Talent Pathways

“Ali had a good carnival last year and a good finish for East Fremantle. Really powerful forward and probably the best thing and biggest improvement has been her forward pressure where she’s elite at that level at applying that pressure so we’re looking forward to seeing what she does this year.”

Alicia Blizard on her strengths

“I’ve been told I’m good at tackling by a few people from states, really strong. Probably my biggest strength is speed, I’m really fast but hopefully this year I can not only match that, but become better at it, be faster, be stronger.

OUR SCOUTS SAID

2024 WAFLW GRAND FINAL: VS CLAREMONT

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 goal, 1 behind

“It was not a great day for tall forwards or marking the ball in general, but Blizard showed it might not be your day, but it can be your moment. Getting to the right spot over the back of the pack with seven minutes left, she cleanly took the ball at ground level, got it to her boot and kicked what could well have been the winning goal had Claremont not answered a few minutes later. Will be a high upside talent for next year.”

2024 WAFLW SEMI-FINAL: VS CLAREMONT

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s

“Worked up the ground a fair bit and seemed to find it more outside the 50 than inside it, with one mark inside 50 late in the third term resulting in a long-range set shot just just fell short. She used her height on Wright at one stage to take a strong mark, and has a booming kick that she can clear long down the ground. A high-upside player with plenty of tools.”

2024 WAFLW ROUND 16: VS SOUTH FREMANTLE

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

“It was a busy game for Blizard who played her role and converted two goals for her troubles. She seemed to venture further afield in this match compared to others, but still managed to hit the scoreboard including when ducking back inside 50 and taking an uncontested mark followed by a set shot. Blizard set up some scoring opportunities as well, and the bottom-ager looks to be over her injuries, confirmed in the Sandgropers’ squad for the national championships.”

WHERE SHE SITS

Alicia Blizard has some of the highest upside in the 2025 AFLW Draft. Well and truly in contention for a Top 30 pick, she like Renee Morgan was just outside our 25 to Watch in 2025. However definitely in the next few names, Blizard has plenty of room to grow and has had a lot less exposure by comparison to others, though her second half of 2024 was very impressive.

There is no shortage of great tall forward options in this year’s draft, and while each of them has a point of difference, Blizard’s power and defensive pressure for a 174cm prospect is elite. Keep an eye on the mobile Shark who could make a huge difference in East Fremantle’s charge for a second flag in three seasons.