Catapulting herself into the status of being the standout ruck prospect in this year’s AFLW Draft, Queensland’s Fleur Davies is a name to remember for the future. Set to join her sister Giselle in the AFLW off the back of a terrific last 12 months, where she has proven to be an athletic tall with high endurance and a presence that allows her to not only impact in the ruck, but also up forward as a leading target.

With so many talls being either pure rucks or forwards who can pinch hit, Davies is a player who could legitimately develop into either, and though not always a high possession player, her work around the ground to provide a contest more than makes up for it. When she is running hot, Davies pulls down contested grab after contested grab, though at times she can be a little inconsistent in that area, and it is one way she can further improve. If she clunks them consistently then watch out, as she will present all around the ground.

Davies has that nice balance of having strong, clean hands, but also being able to be utilised in transition as a roaming around-the-ground ruck, and pushing up to be that release kick from the defensive 50. She can hit targets by hand or foot, and in most games, she actually gets better as the game goes on. Her vertical leap is another strength, and given her impressive height in the mid-180s, Davies usually has a few centimetres on most opponents.

Though Davies missed out on All-Australian selection this year, she reemphasised just how good of a carnival she had but taking control for the AFLW Academy game and really stepping up through the ruck. Potentially Queensland’s second best draft prospect, and the clear standout tall in the state, Davies is one who could impact from early on in her career, as a more readymade option than her sister, but will still have plenty of development left in her.