STRENGTHS:

+ Competitiveness
+ One-on-ones
+ Composure
+ Reading the play
+ Intercept marking
+ Consistency

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Versatility
- Vertical jump

PROFILE:

Esther Schirmer is an interesting AFLW Draft prospect in the fact that she may well be a complete point of difference to others in the draft crop. Her overall profile ticks a lot of boxes for what clubs want in a defender, and while not as flashy as others, is just ultra-reliable and a player that coaches love to turn to in order to nullify an opposition forward.

Schirmer has always been strong defensively, and matches up well one-on-one with opponents. Her underrated agility along with her reading of the play allows her to close down marking options quickly. She is a good height at 177cm, also enabling her to play on talls or smalls thanks to her mobility and strength.

While a lot of those traits are quite good, her true strengths lie in her understanding of the game and being able to remain composed while under immense pressure. When winning the ball, Schirmer rarely panics and assesses the situation well before disposing of the pill. Like any defender under pressure, she can make mistakes, but generally she is a neat and reliable ball user who can hit targets over short, medium or long distances.

In the air, Schirmer reads the play, gets into great positions and intercepts, and is not afraid to engage in a wrestle if required. She has no qualms about spoiling the ball and doing all the team one percenters which endears her to any coach she plays under. The knock on her athletic game would be her vertical leap and that is where she can get caught out if playing behind.

While Schirmer has the smarts and mobility to close down space on the lead, and if side-by-side the strength to knock her opponent off balance, once the forward has a gap and can leap at the ball, it is where the South Adelaide defender is less comfortable. Norwood opponent Kiana Lee got a hold of her a couple of times in the SANFLW Grand Final thanks to Lee's equal strength and smarts, but few opponents can say that about Schirmer.

As a whole, the defender has all the traits to play that lockdown or nullifying role really well. She does have the ability to run out of defence and use the ball safely to ensure maximum ball retention. While not explosive, she moves well, and her composure and smarts do the rest.

She has been pidgeonholed as that tall defender throughout her career, largely due to the fact she has been so good at that role. By being given the keys for more freedom out of defence, Schirmer has become a more versatile defender, but has still largely been locked into the singular positional role. That is not necessarily a bad thing, and is where Schirmer will play in the future, but is an element to note.

Overall, Schirmer's reading of the play, intercept marking - an element she has worked hard on over the last 18 months - and her sheer competitiveness to win every contest she faces, allows her to remain driven and focused. Her point of difference is being a nullifying defender first, and an offensive running one second, which will hold her in good stead for the future.