STRENGTHS:

+ Contested work
+ Clean hands
+ Production
+ Consistency
+ Footy IQ
+ Agility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Outside game
- Composure

PROFILE:

Boileau was a member of the State Academy extended squad heading into her bottom-age year in 2022, but missed the final cut due to the strength of the overall team that went undefeated at the national carnival. Finishing the year in her preferred role of midfield, Boileau made marked improvements both in her game and athletically.

Looking at her athletic profile, her agility in particular improved substantially from preseason through to the AFLW Draft Combine, shaving off 0.69 seconds to rank inside the top 10 with a score of 8.629 seconds. She also showed off an impressive endurance, registering a time of eight minutes and two seconds to be equal second in her state.

Looking to her on-field traits, it is hard to go past her natural contested ball-winning ability. She thrives at the coalface, puts her body on the line and can be a first or second possession winner. Though she is not explosive, Boileau is very good at taking long strides from the contest, covering more ground than a lot of other midfielders.

Importantly, Boileau does not just win the ball, but she wins it back. The South Adelaide talent does this by applying an immense amount of defensive pressure. If anything her defensive game is just as impressive as her contested work, as she can lock it in, or feed it out, and have the versatility around the stoppage to play both roles which is crucial at the top level.

The area of improvement from that moment is just having a touch more composure at times. Sometimes she can rush her kick knowing the opposition is bearing down on her. With time and space, or after taking a mark, Boileau is able to hit targets efficiently and consistently, with her kicking fine in those instances, so working on her composure will take that disposal to another level.

Along with that improvement, her outside game is another way she can add extra strings to her bow. She works hard to get into space and can win the ball out there, but can further improve in that regard, particularly in terms of impact. But given her strength and ability on the inside, clubs are drafting her for her work at the coalface rather than outside the contest.

The improvements in her game do not stop her from being a very consistent and potentially damaging player. She is strong in close, smart around the ball and a high production player. Her work over the off-season paid off in 2023, averaging 22 disposals for South Australia and 18 disposals for South Adelaide, doubling her output from her bottom-age year

Though she did play predominantly as a forward in 2022 for the Panthers, it was incredible to think Boileau's highest disposal count was 14. In 2023, it did not dip below 16, with a season-high of 21. Also averaging 4.3 clearances and 7.2 tackles, Boileau really imposed herself on the contest.

Outside her consistency and general contested ball-winning ability, Boileau is also very clean by hand and uses it well exiting the stoppage to release teammates on the outside. That, along with her defensive pressure makes her an all-round threat.

Going forward, Boileau should have no issues competing at the top level, and her impressive inside and defensive pressure will hold her in good stead for the future. She came into the season as one with some potential, and finished it as an All-Australian and one of the most consistent midfielders across the country.