STRENGTHS:

+ Agility + Clean hands + Reading the play + Leadership + Character + Rebounding

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Composure - Kicking consistency

PROFILE:

Hausegger made her debut as a bottom-ager last year, playing seven games and averaging 6.7 disposals and 2.0 rebound 50s. During that time and over the off-season, Hausegger became a club favourite, and was voted in as captain for the 2023 Talent League season. By the end of the year, the Chargers top-ager became a premiership captain, and arguably her best performance of the season under the pressure of the grand final.

That performance of 16 disposals, five marks, three tackles, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s was just what the doctor ordered for her season which has had its ups and downs. Over the last 12 months, Hausegger has made noticeable improvement in her marking, and became a reliable player off half-back. Along with that improvement, her clean hands and reading of the play really stood up as she upped her production from her maiden season.

Voted in as captain, Hausegger's character is another huge plus, and though few are critiqued too harshly, it definitely works in her favour. Her energy and support around the ground, along with her natural leadership from behind the ball in a successful team helped the Chargers get to taste the ultimate glory at year's end.

Her reading of the play and consistent rebounding - which often came from either a mark or just mopping up in defence - was a feature of her play, with a natural ability to weave in and out of traffic. With ball-in-hand, Hausegger has some nice moments, particularly with time and space, though composure and her kicking consistency are still works in progress.

She has made in-roads into both and looked better as the year went on, but can run herself into trouble or occasionally dump kick under pressure only to have it sent back inside the defensive 50. Her follow-up efforts to nullify a contest cannot be questioned though, with Hausegger doing all she can to win the ball back for her team.

Going forward, Hausegger has room for growth, with the Chargers skipper only in her second season at the elite junior level, and her first with the leadership on her shoulders. As a medium defender she can play on a variety of opponents, but the way she finished off the season will have plenty of clubs noting down her name.