STRENGTHS:

+ Explosive speed
+ Athleticism
+ Kicking
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Versatility
+ Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Durability
- Production

PROFILE:

Slocombe had a delayed start to the season, spending time overseas over the Summer which initially had her potentially missing the cut for Claremont's WAFLW League side. Impressing so much in the Tigers' practice match against East Perth, she forced her way into the Round 1 team and never looked back. In fact, the only thing that stopped her was injury.

Unfortunately after splitting her time between the Tigers and the West Australian side, an avulsion fracture in her knee ruled her out of the second half of the WAFLW season. Her last match came in Round 12, which was just her sixth match of the season. Kicking a goal a game on average, she had double-digit disposals in each of her games, with her best performance coming against Peel Thunder in Round 10 with 17 disposals, four marks and 2.2.

At the AFLW Under 18 Championships, she was among Western Australia's best in game one taking on South Australia, then returned for the back-to-back August games. She was a touch underdone for the first one against the Allies not playing to her usual standard, but got back to showing what she can do against Vic Country in the final game.

Slocombe has more weapons than most, and it is easy to see why she will likely go high in this year's AFLW Draft. She has the all-round athletic game that stands out, with her explosive speed sensational, and trimmed her 2km time trial time to sub-eight minutes off the back of a huge preseason.

Unlike some athletes vying for an AFLW Draft spot, Slocombe has more strings to her bow than just being athletic. She uses the ball well and can lower the eyes, drilling pinpoint passes inside 50. Aside from the match against the Allies where her efficiency was one to forget, she is consistently a potent user by foot and is not afraid to take on the opposition.

When forward, Slocombe is equally a tough player to combat, able to win the ball in a variety of ways. Not a massive aerial player, she is very good when the ball hits the deck, but can still mark when roaming inside 50. She has the ability to play inside, outside or up forward and influence matches, which will be another tick for her going forward.

Slocombe has a lot less runs on the board to some others, with her injury run this year not a perfect lead-in to the AFLW Draft. It should not matter though, with Slocombe's form when she is on-field rock solid and among the most eye-catching in the country. She can lift her production volume further, but that will come with greater continuity and consistency, with her impact-per-possession and hurt factor high.

Overall, Slocombe is a player with the lot in terms of her traits. It is just a case of getting a clean run and some confidence in her body to really do a lot of damage. She is just as gifted as many others in the AFLW Draft pool and has shown it when out there.