Lishmund one of the Valley’s great hopes
WATCHING her brother play local football at Hope Valley spawned a thought for Alana Lishmund – “I can play that.” She certainly can play, with the Norwood prospect utilised in a number of roles at SANFL Women’s and state Under 19s level throughout her draft-eligible season. The 17-year-old was part of the Redlegs’ side which […]
Bishop enjoying GIANTS pathway
WHILST getting drafted is the ultimate goal for Canberra’s Eleanor Bishop, the talented teenager would have no qualms about going through the GIANTS Academy pathway again in 2022 if needed. Bishop, who represents Ainslie in the AFL Canberra, said the structure and atmosphere of the GIANTS had been really enjoyable and had given her plenty […]
Fast learning Lakay takes her game to new heights
AMONG the many code-jumping athletes gunning for the height of women’s football is Swan Districts ruck Sarah Lakay, one of Western Australia’s 15 National Combine invitees in 2021. The 186cm prospect has taken to Australian football with aplomb since crossing from basketball, rising from a local club which “lost every game”, to becoming a key […]
Versatile Parish thrives on physicality
WHEN asked of the key traits she wanted to present at the AFL Women’s Under 19 National Championships, the answer was pretty straightforward and ominous for Jamie Parish. “Definitely my physicality,” Parish said. “I love bumping, hitting, shepherding.” The versatile Woodville-West Torrens talent has enjoyed a swift journey into the South Australian talent pathway, crossing […]
Analysis | The importance of fitness testing in modern football recruiting
THERE has been plenty of debate when talking about potential AFL prospects pertaining to the differences between judging ‘athletes’ against ‘pure footballers’. There is an argument that fitness testing should be taken with a grain of salt and that the eye test is most important, but when it comes to players being drafted – especially […]
Bennett enjoying season after “difficult” 2020 season
WHEN your first draft-eligible year rolls around and you are in the State Academy, the AFL Women’s Championships are the pinnacle of state representation. For Claremont’s Emily Bennett, last year – her second in the Academy – was meant to be the year where she tested herself against the best in the country and put […]
Team-oriented Prenzler “honoured” to lead state
WHEN Sturt teenager Hannah Prenzler was told she would be leading South Australia out against Western Australia at the 2021 AFL Women’s Under 19 Championships, the natural leader said she was equally shocked as she was honoured to be handed the co-captaincy alongside SANFL Women’s teammate, Georgia Swan. “Totally shocked when I got announced captain, […]
Zreika an “inspiration” for fast-rising Whelan
GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) GIANTS Academy member Jess Whelan doesn’t have to look far for inspiration as she powers through her footballing journey. In the same charcoal and orange colours she donned this year during a one-game NAB League Girls stint, a top-flight gem has already paved a path worth following. That gem is Haneen […]
Franklin’s “crazy” and “rushed” journey helps fast-track development
THREE years ago, Amy Franklin did not even realise that there was a women’s football club in her area. Had it not been for the chance suggestion from a classmate that Franklin join her local club, then the AFL Women’s National Academy member and State Academy representative might not have ever taken up the code. […]
Schirmer’s smooth transition into midfield
GYPSY Schirmer‘s junior football career has almost gone full circle at South Adelaide. Coming in as a young player a few years ago, Schirmer looked up to the Panthers’ abundance of AFL Women’s talent that led her side to back-to-back flags, and now the draft-eligible teenager has been one of the leaders for the next […]
