Sturt over-ager Kiera Mueller had a brilliant back-end of the SANFLW season in 2021, and backed that up with a terrifically consistent 2022 season. The running defender earned SANFLW Team of the Year honours averaging 16.4 disposals, 3.8 marks and 3.3 rebound 50s for the Double Blues. Her early season form earned a call-up to the State Academy team where she showed similar traits for the Croweaters.

Mueller is a rebounding talent who is clever both off the ball and on it, with strong skills, and a penetrating left boot that can impact contests. She is able to run and carry well and set up attacking plays from the back half, with her ability to time her runs in transition with her side. Her footy IQ allows her to always get into ball winning positions, be it preparing for a mark, or running beside a teammate for a handball, to take the game on and drive the ball forward after running 30m.

Mueller missed a fair chunk of 2021 through injury, but when she returned she made up for lost time, and showed draftable traits as that rebounding defender. She is one of the more consistent overagers in the draft crop, and would be considered a readymade option for either South Australian side this coming draft. Though she has a lot of positives, Mueller still has some areas to work on in terms of her upside, but mostly around her versatility and ability togo inside.

The Sturt defender has ticked all the boxes as a clean and skilful talent, with terrific footy IQ and a balance of athleticism and drive. She will likely have to develop a second position at some stage, which will come with further development. As far as her ability when compared to other running and intercepting defenders goes, Mueller is right up there with the best in the 2022 AFLW Draft crop.