STRENGTHS:

+ Contested marking
+ Aerial ability
+ Kick penetration
+ Strength
+ One-on-ones
+ Groundlevel work
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Speed
- Endurance
- Set shot goalkicking

PROFILE:

Lexi Gregor's point of difference in her game is her contested marking and aerial ability. She is a strong player who can clunk grabs with one touch, or if she doesn't, is usually good enough to juggle the marks therefore after. That enables her to compete at both ends of the ground and allows teams to get a good look at a potential utility who can be swung down either end depending on what the side needs at that point.

Gregor has done just that for both the Pioneers and Vic Country, starting as a forward, then being thrown down in defence and providing a good set of hands. In terms of which role she plays better, it is a lineball call. She does read the ball well at either end, makes strong leads and is hard to matchup on, while having the defensive prowess to spoil if required, but more often than not when in the backline can outmuscle her opponent one-on-one and take a good grab.

With contested marking in particular being such an important trait in the modern game, Gregor has a real element that allows her to standout from her peers. The 181cm tall is just as capable of crashing packs and puts her body on the line when required, and that allows the groundlevel players to go to work, or when in defence, does not allow an easy inside 50 mark.

From a skills perspective, Gregor is a penetrating kick that is powerful and can travel 50m reasonably comfortably. It allows her to both clear the danger and pump the ball deep inside 50 depending on the situation. Her precision by foot is an area that could be tidied up, but the distance she gains on her kicks is so far that it usually advantages her side in field positioning.

Sticking in the theme of kicking, Gregor provides herself with so many opportunities through marking, but her set shot goalkicking can further improve to impact the scoreboard even more. In the Coates Talent League Girls, Gregor kicked 9.14, with a few others also not going through for majors. When in defence this obviously is not a big thing, but is an element to be improved.

Aside from that, Gregor is understandably still building her endurance up after such a long time on the sidelines and needing to work back to match fitness. Her speed is lower than other talls, but her strength is also far greater and that is the tradeoff. When in a marking contest, few can beat her, and even at ground level she uses her body well.

Coming into the year, Gregor had identified her groundlevel work as an improvement, and it seemed like that had come along in leaps and bounds. She is not afraid to win the ball below her knees and shovel it out, with a massive 58 per cent of her Coates Talent League Girls possessions coming from this method of ball-winning. Considering how frequently she marks, that is a ridiculous number.

Going forward, Gregor is a player who could perhaps be more suited in defence given her strengths and improvements, but she is more than capable of being swung forward and impacting there. Either way, she has potential to grow and considering the time she has had out of the game, can make up for that lost time in an elite program.