Steph O'Brien might be one of the more unique prospects in the AFLW Draft. Her name has been in the draft frame the last couple of seasons since dominating the 2021 AFLW Draft Combine. There, she recorded a Queensland-high 3.28-second 20m sprint and 8.69-second agility test just pipping off Teagan Levi, impressive for a 177cm player.

O'Brien is a unicorn of sorts, with her athleticism and size allowing her to play a number of roles. After a couple of ultra-consistent seasons, the Southport talent won the Emma Zielke Medal for QAFL Women's league best and fairest, as well as best on ground in Queensland's representative clash against Tasmania. While O'Brien is one of the oldest draft nominees at 30 years-old, she is still performing at a ridiculously high level and would be able to make an immediate impact at AFLW level.

For a club looking for a player who can not only slot in straight away but also play just about any position, O'Brien is just about the best cover a team could have. From crossing over from netball and learning the game, O'Brien has now pieced together a substantial CV and should be considered for the AFLW.

STRENGTHS:

- Defensive pressure
- Athleticism
- Production
- Versatility
- Consistency

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Kicking consistency
- Upside

Picture credit: AFL Queensland