Jess Bates enters the AFL Women's Overage Draft as one of the most consistent players across the country. A hard-at-it midfielder who brings her own football most games, the Collingwood VFLW talent is a readymade player for the elite level. Over the years in the SANFL Women's, Bates has developed her game from being a defence-first tackling machine, to being a well-balanced player across both offensive and defensive attributes. From 2021 to 2022, she lifted her disposal numbers from 15 to 24, and still managed to lay two more tackles per game.

When looking at players who can provide depth and be ready to step up at any stage, few could be more prepared than Bates. She is strong around the clearances, wins the contested ball, feeds it out to teammates and then runs hard to receive it back. In terms of the defensive elements or inside elements, they are as good as clubs will get for a player outside the AFL Women's. Bates also covers the ground well, and while not explosive, she is quick enough to escape would-be tacklers.

For Bates, improvement is continuing to add polish to her kicking, as she is often disposing of the ball under immense pressure, as well as being able to hit the scoreboard. The latter is not necessarily at a detriment to her playing at the elite level, but more adding another element to her game, having kicked the six goals across 27 SANFLW games from 2021-22.

Strengths:

• Accumulation
• Production
• Defensive pressure
• Clearance work
• Clean hands
• Consistency

Improvements:

• Kicking consistency
• Scoreboard impact

Bates won the SANFLW League Best and Fairest for a remarkable 2022 season. She averaged 24.6 disposals, 2.9 marks, 5.4 clearances, 3.6 inside 50s and laid a whopping 10.8 tackles. After missing out on being selected in last year's AFL Women's Draft, Bates moved to Collingwood VFLW where she had an immediate impact in Round 1, collecting 25 disposals, seven clearances and laying nine tackles. She might have shown enough to the Magpies to be picked up, but the South Australian has nominated nationally in a bid to finally get her chance.

NOMINATION: National