SNAPSHOT: “One of the more athletically gifted players, Baba overcame injury issues to display the traits that earned her a place in the AFLW Academy and Vic Metro squads.”

Grace Baba is an athletic and gifted player who has spent less time at the sub-elite junior level than most, but has caught the eye with her fantastic vertical jump and speed off the half-back line. While still developing some of her fundamental traits, Baba’s foundational base from which to work from for a future club is fantastic.

Starting her journey in Year 8, Baba could not have picked a worse time to try and get into a new sport, with the global pandemic essentially putting her hopes on hold for two years. Prior to that she had played a mix of soccer and hockey growing up, but followed her friends into Aussie rules. Though the two-year hiatus might have been a steep learning curve, Baba did not lose the faith that she would join the sport.

Initially invited to play at Eastern as a double bottom-ager, but encouraged to focus on school, Baba got her second chance a season later ahead of her 17th year. She came in as a bottom-ager and lit up the games, providing some flair and dash from defence, matching up on some quality opponents and holding her own.

Despite not making the Vic Metro side, Baba would be included for the Summer hub, and impressively get invited to the AFLW Academy where she would be able to run out alongside the best in the country at IKON Park this year.

Her top-age year would not be without its lows though, with injury forcing Baba on the sidelines for an extended period of time. She would miss the first two Vic Metro games, but returned to face South Australia in what was ultimately the crowning moment of the national carnival for the ‘Big V’. After that, Baba finished the year in Ranges colours, reaching another Coates Talent League Girls grand final.

Her National Academy status, along with her evident upside and natural talent earned her an AFLW National Draft Combine invite where she lit up the vertical jumps in particular. Coming into the year, Baba set her sights on reaching the Top 20, and based on what she has shown, she will not be too far away from that.

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