TWO OF the most exciting prospects out of the Queensland program went head-to-head in Round 14 of the QAFLW, with Maroochydore’s Molly Ferguson and Broadbeach’s Steph Aguinaldo producing contrasting but compelling individual performances in what was an impressive win for the Cats.

We take a look at both players, their backgrounds and how they shaped up against each other on the day, with both spending the bulk of the afternoon on-ball and directly contesting one another at stoppages and around the ground.

>> AFLW DRAFT Q&A: Molly Ferguson (Lions Academy)
>> AFLW DRAFT Q&A: Steph Aguinaldo (Suns Academy)

STATISTICS

STRENGTHS

Molly Ferguson

+ Football IQ
+ Reading the play
+ Clean hands
+ Disposal efficiency
+ Vision and execution
+ Work rate

Ferguson’s football IQ and ability to read the play are what set her apart. Operating primarily through the midfield but occasionally dropping back to intercept, she consistently found herself a step ahead of the opposition. This was perfectly highlighted in the second quarter when she smartly allowed her opponent to push into the contest, holding her space on the outside to receive the handball and launch a precise kick inside 50 to a leading teammate.

Her cleanliness at ground level and disposal efficiency (81.5 per cent) were elite all afternoon. She repeatedly won the ball in traffic and delivered pinpoint handballs to release runners, such as a fantastic release from a defensive 50 stoppage in the opening term and a composed give under pressure in the third. Her vision was equally impressive; a third-quarter handball receive on the wing resulted in a beautiful, penetrating pass into the corridor that directly set up Maroochydore’s first goal.

Steph Aguinaldo

+ Explosive burst
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Clearances
+ Run and carry
+ Intercept marking
+ Competitiveness

Aguinaldo’s explosive speed and power out of the stoppage were on full display, winning a game-high six clearances. She started the final quarter by weaving through traffic to win the centre clearance and thump the ball inside 50, a testament to her growing inside game. Her run and carry was a constant threat; a highlight came in the first term when she took a mark from a kick-in, burst away from half-back with a bounce, and delivered quick hands to spark an end-to-end transition.

Where Aguinaldo truly separated herself was her scoreboard impact and forward half presence. She booted two crucial goals – the first a brilliant finish on the run from 35 metres out in the second quarter, and the second a opportunistic strike in the third term after pushing forward on a turnover. Her competitiveness was evident throughout, fighting hard in contested situations and taking several strong intercept marks when pushing back into defence.

IMPROVEMENTS

Molly Ferguson

– Kicking at speed
– Strength in the contest

While Ferguson’s offensive output and ball use were outstanding, she is still developing her kicking at speed. In addition to that, there were moments where she was bumped out of marking contests or caught holding the ball when set upon quickly, such as the opening stoppage of the match. Continuing to build her core strength will help her stick those tackles and hold her ground more effectively against bigger bodies at the coalface.

Steph Aguinaldo

– Composure under pressure
– Endurance

Aguinaldo’s explosive style sometimes leads to rushed disposals, reflected in her 63.6 per cent disposal efficiency. Her instinct to burst and kick long can occasionally result in turnovers or kicks to the opposition’s advantage. Finding that balance between utilising her speed and taking an extra split-second to compose herself and find a better option will elevate her game to the next level, and will help as she continues to build her endurance if she ends up a full-time midfield at the elite level.

STYLES OF PLAY

Molly Ferguson

Ferguson was a composed, efficient operator for Maroochydore, combining inside grunt with outside class. She started on-ball against Aguinaldo but showed great versatility, often reading the play to drop into the defensive hole and intercept. Her second quarter was a masterclass in positioning, taking multiple marks in the defensive half and consistently initiating transition with short, effective passes.

In the third term, she was the primary architect of the Roos’ attacking forays. She won groundballs, delivered pinpoint passes, and streamed forward to link up play. Even when bumped or tackled, her first instinct was to keep her arms free and feed a teammate. Her ability to retain possession and find targets in congestion made her the most reliable ball-user on the ground.

Steph Aguinaldo

Aguinaldo played with relentless energy and a desire to break the game open. She was a dynamic presence at centre bounces, using her athleticism to win clearances and immediately drive the ball forward. Her game was characterised by high-impact moments – bursting from half-back, taking strong intercept marks on the wing, and pushing deep into attack to hit the scoreboard.

Her two goals in the middle quarters were pivotal in swinging the momentum Broadbeach’s way. She was never afraid to take the game on, taking bounces and backing her speed to lose opponents. While she spent time behind the ball as a sweeper, her most damaging work came when she was aggressively hunting the ball in the forward half and punishing turnovers.

SUMMARY

Ferguson’s 27 disposals, five clearances and five marks showcased her elite football IQ and clean ball use. The Lions Academy prospect and Queensland MVP continues to prove why she is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the draft pool, rarely wasting a possession and consistently making her teammates better.

Aguinaldo’s 22 disposals, six clearances and two goals in a winning side highlighted her match-winning capabilities. The Suns Academy talent brought her trademark speed and competitiveness, proving she can be just as dangerous as an inside midfielder as she is a running defender.

Two of Queensland’s finest draft prospects went head-to-head, offering a fascinating contrast in styles – the composed distributor versus the explosive game-breaker – and both left a significant mark on the contest.