Meghan Gaffney is an over-age Tasmanian prospect who ticks a lot of boxes and could be considered as one of the top picks from the Apple Isle. Though not pre-listed like some other 19-year-olds, Gaffney represents value and a high work rate that will no doubt stop at nothing to improve. Though she might not be the most potent user, she is a high efficiency player who does not make too many mistakes by hand or foot.

Gaffney is often found playing off a wing, though did manage to earn some minutes up forward, which could be a valuable extra string to her bow if she can really develop in a second position. She is not overly tall, but what Gaffney lacks in size and perhaps an inside game, is her ability to be clean with the ball regularly, and burst away from opponents to create her own space to deliver or create inside 50. The Tasmanian is one player teammates can rely upon to deliver to forwards.

Perhaps the one question mark outside the exposure on the inside is Gaffney’s potency by foot. She is an accurate and efficient kick going forward, with neat 30m passes that can hit targets well. A lot of the time this will be more than enough and she certainly has the smarts and skills to influence a contest, but she is not one to drain those 40m inboard passes with precision. So whilst she is clean and reliable by hand or foot, there is just that limitation.

Clubs should overlook that if they are keen on getting Gaffney in to play her role, because she is such a steady head with ball-in-hand, and her extra pace and burst from a stoppage allows her to gain that extra 10-20m she might lack in penetration. Her work rate and determination are superb.

Gaffney is one of the top 19th year prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft and could be looked at as a specialist winger or small forward.