STRENGTHS:

+ Intercept marking
+ Reading the play
+ Kicking
+ Footy IQ
+ Decision making
+ Production
+ Consistency
+ Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

- One-on-ones
- Explosive speed

Given Cowcher's accolades over multiple competitions the last few seasons, it is hard to deny she has been one of the most consistent players in the draft crop if you exclude 2025. Though denied the chance to further grow, she was at a level in 2024 - and realistically even 2023 - where she was good enough to be drafted, and still remains of the most readymade prospects in the AFLW Draft crop.

From a consistency perspective, Cowcher plays to her strengths exceptionally well, and few teams found a way to quell her influence without directly putting a player on her. While Cowcher's defensive mindset - i.e. playing one-on-one - is not as impactful as her offensive mindset, she makes it work by having an exceptional footy brain.

If given the opportunity, Cowcher will peel off her opponent, intercept or spoil the ball clear, and then look to follow-up and win additional touches out of the back half. She covers plenty of ground, has a nice tank for a tall and can even get right to half-forward to hold a very high line. Granted, Cowcher is not a goalkicker in the role, but to be fair, Peel Thunder has struggled the last couple of seasons, so she has been needed deeper in defence, a similar role to the one she played for the Sandgropers.

With ball in hand, Cowcher can be incredibly damaging. Her lovely long kicking style is effective, and she can breakdown opposition defences with sizzling 45-kicks into the corridor, or look for the loose player over the top. Quite often she will dispose of the ball short, then run past for the handball receive, put speed on the ball and gain extra metrage.

Cowcher's ability to know when to go and when to hold up is helped by her high footy IQ and reading of the play. She can push right up the ground, then have the endurance to double back and be a loose player behind the ball before her direct opponent has realised. When able to play the game on her terms, Cowcher can find space, use it effectively and make good decisions to be able to dictate from behind the play.

On top of her already established profile, Cowcher does have upside to come, mainly in her athletic profile. Not so much in her vertical jump - as she can fly through the air well, but more so with her explosive speed and agility, where she can further develop. That explosive speed is a key knock on her game, but the fact she creates her own speed with the short kick, then follow-up play allows her to anticipate when to run and then maximise time in possession.

It is a shame Cowcher did not get a chance to show her wares as a top-ager this season, but the Peel Thunder defender and talented West Australian has done more than enough to justify her place inside this year's first round.