STRENGTHS:

+ Competitiveness
+ Defensive pressure
+ Aerial ability
+ Speed
+ Kick penetration
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Composure
- Decision making

PROFILE:

Holly Ridewood made her name this season as a consistent performer for Northern Knights and Vic Metro alike. Even when having quieter starts to games, Ridewood would work her way into the contest, running hard to get involved and having big second halves more often than not. Her balance between aerial and ground level work was very impressive and underpins some of the key traits in her game.

First and foremost what stands out about Ridewood is her competitive nature. She loves to throw her body on the line, apply blocks or run-down tackles, and has the speed to do the latter consistently. Her tackling pressure and competitiveness in the air makes her a challenging opponent, because she is not always just thinking about how she can impact individually, but more how she can assist others in impacting around her.

At ground level for a player who spent a lot of time on the wing in 2024, she is far from an outside ball-winner. Though best suited as a second or third possession winner given her traits, Ridewood will get her hands dirty and win the ball under pressure. While her possessions won via groundball percentage was 29 at the national carnival - where she exclusively played wing - that figure shot up to 44 through the Coates Talent League Girls season as she was thrown around including on the inside.

Furthermore to that discussion, Ridewood won almost half of her possessions under pressure, and while her composure and decision making are areas the Knights skipper can further develop, she has a booming kick that helps clear the danger be it in defence or at a stoppage through the middle.

Most players with booming kicks tend to play out of defence, but Ridewood notched up a long kick percentage of 39.2. If she is given any time or space, Ridewood can do a lot of damage both by hand or foot, particularly if the target is on the move in forward transition. She can definitely improve her shorter kicking both through composure and decision making, elements she identified as requiring further development.

But Ridewood has a nice speed-endurance mix that enables her to work hard, run both ends of the ground and mop up in defence, but also hit the scoreboard when required. Her natural leadership where she is vocal and directive to teammates developed even further throughout the season, and she leads by example in the way she goes about it.

If she can tidy up those few fundamental areas - which comes from only playing the sport for a few seasons - then Ridewood has a lot of game down pat. She is athletic, strong in the air, fierce on the ground and will look to set up here teammates as best she can. Given her steep improvement in her top-age season, expect that to continue at the top level if selected.