SNAPSHOT: "A hard-running utility who had a massive preseason to build her tank and in doing so became a really impactful wing for West Adelaide and South Australia."

STRENGTHS:

+ Competitiveness
+ Run-and-carry
+ Endurance
+ Two-way running
+ Footy IQ
+ Kick penetration

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Athleticism
- Kicking precision

PROFILE:

Emma Kilpatrick entered her top-age season determined to improve her endurance and put in the hard yards over the preseason to do so. By the end of the year, Kilpatrick was one of the better runners across the board and was able to compete for four quarters consistently in both the SANFL Women's and AFL Women's Under 18 Championships.

Kilpatrick's game is built around her penetrating kick and hard running from half-back, with the defender transitioning from being a player who often took kickouts or the first touch after that, to being a wing who hit the scoreboard. Her match-winning goal after the siren in the opening round of the season was her first in the state league, and she would kick another two a fortnight later.

While Kilpatrick's athleticism and kicking precision could improve, the penetration she gets on her kicks ensures she can clear the danger zone repeatedly. Furthermore thanks to her footy IQ she is willing to bite off those riskier kicks, and when she is able to do that, she can turn a game, so further development in that area will make her more damaging.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS: