Ella Little is an over-age AFLW Draft prospect who by her own admission used to be a “lazy footballer”. Since missing out on State Under 16s, Little worked her way into a position where she could not be ignored, teaming up with Narelle Smith at the Eagles, who got the best out of her. Transforming her from a medium-tall forward to an inside midfielder, Little thrived, and became one of the best exponents by hand in the AFLW Draft crop.

Little is one of those players that every team needs, someone willing to put their body on the line, use brute strength to feed the handball out to a running teammate. At the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Little had more time and space, playing between midfield and forward, but when on the inside, was able to show those traits she did at SANFLW level.

Her hands inside the contest are as good as anyone’s, and she can shrug off would-be-tacklers whilst getting her arms free to dish of the handball. As someone who can also unleash the long handball, Little has the ability to open up space through the corridor. Along with her hands in close, Little’s work as a forward has come in handy as she is strong overhead and able to impact in the air. It makes her a dual threat, wherever coaches might want to play her.

Naturally she still has areas to iron out, with Little lacking that explosiveness compared to some inside midfielders, as well as that polish, particularly by foot. But as a player who best impacts by hand, Little plays to her strengths, and it goes a long way to impacting a game.

As a draft prospect, Little has some terrific inside traits, and though she could sharpen up areas to become a more-rounded player, she has the tools to step up to the AFLW.