GWV RebelsGWV RebelsTall Defender

#27

Elsie Conroy

height: 173cm

weight:

D.O.B: 19-08-2007

Leagues: AFLW U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Girls

  • Snapshot
  • Analysis
  • Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A strong intercepting defender with a powerful right boot that can release the pressure in the back 50.”

Elsie Conroy is one of a number of AFLW Draft prospects who continued her development at Coates Talent League Girls level in 2025 to earn a State Draft Combine invite after initially being left out of the Vic Country summer hub nine months earlier. A member of the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels, Conroy’s consistent form transformed her into a genuine draft prospect behind the top-end Rebels duo of Maggie Johnstone and Jovie Skewes-Clinton.

Hailing from the Gordon Football and Netball Club just east of Ballarat, Conroy played there until moving into an all-girls team at Ballarat Swans. Being in the heart of the Rebels’ region, Conroy was identified through the pathway, and debuted in 2023 where she played two games as a double bottom-ager. There, she was still raw and developing at a high ever, but did show some promising signs as a two-way defender last season.

Playing 13 games, Conroy became a rebounding connoisseur and averaged 4.2 rebound 50s per match to go with her 12.1 disposals and 2.7 marks. Though left out of the Vic Country hub due to an abundance of intercept and rebounding defenders, Conroy’s form in 2025 quickly saw her gain a call-up to the final squad. She averaged 15.3 disposals, 2.9 marks and 7.6 rebound 50s throughout the Coates Talent League off nine games.

Unfortunately injury “got in the way” of having an unforgettable season, suffering a broken knuckle after the defender spoiled the football. She did get back at the end of the season for the Rebels to show she was right to go for 2026, and then earned the Combine invite where she got her chance to test against some of the best in Australia.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Penetrating kick
+ Intercepting
+ One-on-ones
+ Rebounding
+ Consistency

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Vision
- Endurance
- Speed

A player who is predictable to her teammates, Conroy usually tries to unleash her booming right boot to clear the danger from the back 50. While not quick, the GWV Rebels finds the space to then launch down the ground, and is usually tasked with the kickouts both for the Rebels and Vic Country. Her long kicking is efficient and she will play to her teammates advantages, while also capable of intercepting at half-back and beginning transitional plays from there.

Without the ball in hand, Conroy positions herself effectively to intercept, with her other key traits - her aerial ability, strength one-on-one and footy smarts in marking situations - able to see her win a high volume of defensive contests. She feels comfortable in one-on-ones and will back herself in a wrestle or when able to plant her feet and then use her strength to work her opponent under the ball.

The consistency Conroy has shown over the last couple of seasons has been impressive, and she was able to add extra dimensions to her game in 2025 where she was not just able to clear the ball from defence over and over again, but get proactive, intercept and drive the ball to begin offensive plays.

When it comes to improvements, Conroy's athleticism - outside her vertical jump - and endurance are ways she can become more damaging. She does not have the speed or agility of some others, with her power and strength the way she works out of trouble. If she can build that explosiveness over time, it will help against the faster forwards, because she competes so well one-on-one.

In addition to that, Conroy is focusing on developing her shorter kicking range and picking options that might be the next link in the chain over going long to a one-on-one contest. Her long kicking is fluent and her technique is great, but it is more when there is the shorter option on the 45, she hits it and can double-up with another touch and gain even more metres.

As a whole, Conroy has ways to further develop her game, but what she has shown over the past 18 months has been really promising. If given the chance at the top level, Conroy is one who can play as a third tall defender and will likely have a more negating focus, while building up some areas in her game to be a greater threat on the offensive end.

DRAFT RANGE: Late

Elsie Conroy has put herself in the draft frame off the back of a consistent couple of seasons. She is a reliable rebounding and intercepting general defender who has the size to play on talls or smalls. While still developing some athletic aspects, she has a great vertical jump and boasts strong hands that enable her to win a lot of one-on-one contests. Like many State Draft Combine prospects, she is a chance later in the draft.

AFLW U18 Championships

SeasonTeamKHBDMCPUPTHOCLRI50R50GLGMKHDMHOTGDC
2025Vic Country Girls2242610813800190211.02.013.05.00.04.00.058
Total-2242610813800190211.02.013.05.00.04.00.058

Coates Talent League Girls

SeasonTeamKHBDMCPUPTHOCLRI50R50GLGMKHDMHOTGDC
2023GWV Rebels44800040010022.02.04.00.00.02.00.011
2024GWV Rebels134231573500175025401310.31.812.12.70.41.30.047
2025GWV Rebels12414138265739200212690913.81.615.32.90.02.20.064
Total-2624130361573941521512302410.91.712.62.50.21.70.0122
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