STRENGTHS:

+ Vertical leap
+ Versatility
+ Defensive versatility
+ Closing speed
+ Endurance
+ Character

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Kicking
- Ground balls

Lyne has been a player around the mark in terms of talls over the past couple of years, and remains a consideration for clubs off the back of some solid performances in defence for Dandenong Stingrays, Vic Country, and even the AFLW Academy.

It was evident from past years that at 174cm, despite boasting an elite vertical leap, she was not going to be a ruck at AFLW level. In order to counteract that, Lyne started her season on-ball against the Swans Academy, while still rotating into the ruck. After the Round 1 game though, she featured in the midfield for a few more weeks before eventually stepping into defence.

Lyne is one of those players who competes well in the air, and though not a consistent mark, can provide an intercepting presence and has good closing speed to spoil. Her elite vertical leap makes her an ideal defender as she can come over the top of opponents and provide a clean punch. Her size is tall enough to play on key position types, while having the athleticism to battle against smaller, quicker players as well.

The main improvement for Lyne comes in the form of her kicking, and like a lot of taller players, it is still a work in progress. Over short distances she can hit targets, but often wins her touches in transition and has to try and gain distance on her kicks. That, along with being cleaner at ground level will help her become a more all-round player.

Her strengths and improvements largely tell a story as to why she moved into defence, as clubs could see a long-term player in that role. She is a team-first player who can shut down an opponent, and it will likely be in a similar way to Tahlia Gillard at Melbourne in the sense that though she is shorter, she is a defend-first player.

Overall, Lyne has the traits that earned her a place in the AFLW Academy. Though she has areas to develop, her athleticism and in particular vertical leap, allows her to compete well as a tall defender, and having had the experience as a ruck in the past, could always chop out when the ball is in the area. Like many talls, Lyne is a long-term prospect but has character on her side as well, and will have interest from clubs needing an athletic tall.