STRENGTHS:

+ Endurance
+ Speed
+ Run-and-carry
+ Versatility
+ Defensive pressure
+ Decision making

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Groundballs
- Composure

PROFILE:

Heidi Talbot has undergone a role change over the last 12 months, moving from a forward who could pinch-hit in the midfield, to one capable of running off half-back. The way she can adapt her traits to multiple roles is very impressive, but also underpinned by a speed-endurance mix that catches the eye.

At the National Draft Combine, Talbot zipped around the agility track to record the second fastest time in 8.469 seconds. She also clocked up 8.313 seconds in the 20m sprint (eighth overall), and was just one second outside the Top 10 for the 2km time trial with a 8:02 pace for the distance.

All three tests give an insight into Talbot's athletic and aerobic capacity, with her speed-endurance mix one of the best out of the draft crop. She is able to utilise those strengths out on the field as well, providing plenty of run and carry down the ground. Running all day long, Talbot can work over most opponents, and her quick burst allows her to breakaway from another player and then link up with teammates to gain serious meterage.

It goes without saying that Talbot's versatility - having played on all three lines over the last two years - is another strength. She is capable of slotting into a position and doing it well, and more so applying the required defensive pressure. As good as she can be offensively, defensively is where she stands out, and it shows with her ridiculous tackle numbers over multiple competitions.

With ball in hand, Talbot is able to cleanly dish off and burst away to kick the ball downfield to an option. While she can hit targets from a standing start or with time to decide - her decision making is very good - when put under pressure she can tend to rush the kick forward and result in turnovers or interceptions.

Her composure with ball in hand is where she can elevate her game to another level, which will be handy when playing an inside role or as a defender who is being tightly guarded. That element, along with being cleaner at ground level are a couple of ways to improve, but Talbot is well rounded and once she has the ball can be effective.

As a whole, Talbot's balance of offensive and defensive capabilities - as well as her speed-endurance mix - give her a valuable leg-up on many of her peers given the way she can translate that form to the next level. While injury denied her a chance to compete at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, she showed enough at Coates Talent League Girls level to suggest she can make an impact in the AFLW.