SNAPSHOT: “One of the most reliable defenders in the AFLW Draft crop who has added offensive weapons to her incredibly strong nullifying ability.”

Few players have remained as consistent as South Australian Esther Schirmer over the years, with the rock solid defender flourishing in 2024 to achieve all of her goals so far and more. Following in the footsteps of older sister Gypsy, Schirmer has been a reliable player South Adelaide coach Rick Watts can turn to in order to do a job.

While the older Schirmer was a member of the AFLW Academy and showed plenty of exciting athletic traits across a range of positions coming through the pathway, the younger Schirmer is very different. While still underrated athletically – particularly in her agility – Esther greatest point of difference comes in her one-on-one and defensive abilities.

Having some of the biggest jobs in the SANFLW over the past few years – including trying to quell Lauren Young a couple of times – Schirmer is a no frills defender with a high level of competitiveness to beat her opponent. A softly spoken talent who has come on in leaps and bounds in 2024, Schirmer got a taste of life with more freedoms coming out of defence.

In 2023, Schirmer averaged just 9.5 disposals and 1.8 marks for South Adelaide throughout the SANFLW season, with that number shooting up to 14.1 disposals and 4.5 marks in 2024. Her AFLW Under 18 Championships also saw a jump in her numbers, rising from 7.7 disposals up to 10.0. and surging from 1.7 marks and 1.3 rebound 50s per match to near double that with 3.0 and 2.7 respectively.

Production has been a question mark on Schirmer over the journey, but in 14 of her 16 SANFLW matches this year, the South Adelaide defender reached double-digits and took at least three marks in all bar one of her games. She even had a few huge days out including two 20-plus disposal and six-mark games back-to-back, and a 17-disposal, 12-mark game against Glenelg in Round 5.

Her breakout season continued at the national championships where Schirmer’s work – particularly in the first two games – resulted in her winning her state’s MVP. She shut down some quality player along the way, with Vic Metro forward Georgie Brisbane describing Schirmer as the “toughest opponent” she had played.

Her carnival also naturally came with All-Australian honours and a month later, the South Adelaide prospect received a National Draft Combine invite. While other defenders can be more eye-catching, few are more reliable than Schirmer who is rarely beaten for long, if at all in a matchup. Now the Carlton supporter is eyeing off reaching the elite level.

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