PROFILE

Brooke Tonon had a 2021 SANFL Women’s season to remember, becoming a genuine star half-back who could also push up to the wing, with some great skills, decision making and athleticism on display.

STRENGTHS:

• Athleticism
• Kicking
• Aggression
• Versatility
• Decision making

KEY IMPROVEMENT:

• Composure

Brooke Tonon is a talent who has predominantly settled in at half-back where she has excelled in the SANFL Women’s comptition. Tonon is a player who can realistically play anywhere on the field, as she did in her debut SANFL Women’s season last year, but not only stood out enough to be one of the prime South Australian teenagers, but earned a call-up to the AFL Women’s Academy.

The Glenelg premiership player has come on in leaps and bounds over the past 12 months, and has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. She can win the ball in the back 50, use her speed and evasion to propel it in transition, and then also win it back from the opposition through fierce tackling.

Tonon’s versatility is key to being able to slot into any role, but the way she is able to get into the right spots and be able to hit targets down the field is valuable. One of the South Australian talents who did her chances no harm at SANFL Women’s or AFLW Under 19s level, where she averaged 15.5 disposals, 3.5 tackles and 2.0 rebounds from her two games.

One aspect about Tonon’s game that stands out is her ability to make the right decisions and hit targets under pressure, able to use the ball well by hand or foot. Her big improvement she is looking to make is her composure, knowing when to go, and when to hold up. She is a fierce tackler even though she is a lighter-bodied player, and attacks the ball-carrier with real conviction.

A natural leader having been the vice-captain of South Australia at Under 16s level, Tonon has come through the pathway and with her 2021 season now looms as a top three South Australian prospect, with the Crows no doubt keen on her ball use and athleticism coming off half-back.

QUOTES

"Having predominantly settled in at half-back, Tonon is a player who can realistically play anywhere on the field, as she did in her debut SANFL Women’s season last year. The Glenelg premiership players has come on in leaps and bounds over the past 12 months, and has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. She can win the ball in the back 50, use her speed and evasion to propel it in transition, and then also win it back from the opposition through fierce tackling. Tonon’s versatility is key to being able to slot into any role, but the way she is able to get into the right spots and be able to hit targets down the field is valuable. One of the South Australian talents who did her chances no harm at SANFL Women’s or AFLW Under 19s level, where she averaged 15.5 disposals, 3.5 tackles and 2.0 rebounds from her two games." - Peter Williams via "2021 AFLW Draft Positional Analysis: Tall/Medium Defenders" "The State Academy member had an outstanding season and really raised her draft stocks, proven by the fact she earned and AFLW Draft Combine invitation. Tonon earned a place at half-back in the SANFL Women’s Team of the Year, a role she made her own after playing in multiple positions in her debut season. Now in her draft-eligible year, Tonon provided great run out of the back 50 and could push up to a win to impact as well. In her 11 games, Tonon averaged 14.7 disposals – at 78 per cent efficiency – 2.5 marks, 3.1 tackles and 2.5 rebound 50s." - Peter Williams via "2021 SANFLW team review: Glenelg" "Tonon has shown plenty of development in 2021 to become one of South Australia’s most promising Under 19 prospects, performing well at each level and in a variety of roles. Having cut her teeth on the wing, the 17-year-old has also been able to impact in defence with a good balance of line-breaking run on the rebound and defensive acts when required. She was able to open up the hotly contested Grand Final at times but did not shy away from the tough stuff, which should prove another handy tick for her versatility. Her positioning behind the ball as a sweeper and reading of the flow of play saw her win the ball in a variety of ways, able to intercept or be released on the outer." - Michael Alvaro via "SANFLW Player Focus: Brooke Tonon"

INTERVIEW

>> BROOKE TONON NEWS

STATS