STRENGTHS:

+ Kicking
+ Clean hands
+ Strength
+ Production
+ Defensive work
+ Footy IQ

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Speed
- Goalkicking

PROFILE:

Lily Paterson would not have been on any draft boards at the start of the season, but within a few weeks it was evident she had what it took to go to the next level with her football. By the end of the year, Paterson had received an AFLW National Draft Combine invite, and with good reason.

Paterson's game is underpinned by her footballing skills and smarts, which is ironic considering her lack of time in the code compared to many of her peers. Having largely played as a forward for the Swan Districts League side the year before, Paterson gained a full-time midfield gig and was simply sensational off the back of a huge preseason.

While not the quickest player going around - both speed and agility were noted as improvements from Paterson preseason - the Swan Districts midfielder does not allow that to define the way she goes about it. Her hands in close are clean and her kicking - particularly when given time and space - is also quite potent. When under pressure she rush a touch, but no more so than your average inside midfielder.

Her best work is done when in space she can assess the options and hit targets further afield. With her right boot both penetrating and accurate, she can make things happen by foot, or link up by hand well. From a footballing sense, she has the smarts to get into the right spots and win the ball, especially around the coalface.

Time and time again across multiple levels, Paterson just seemed to be wherever the ball went, and she had it on a string. Capable of playing off a flank at both ends of the ground thanks to her understanding of the play and her smarts with ball in hand, Paterson glides around the ground even if it is not at a fast pace.

The top-ager covers the field strongly, and when not in possession is a two-way runner to help out the defence. Her tackling numbers paint a picture of her defensive work, and she is not afraid to get her hands dirty in that regard. That balance between inside and outside ball-winning aids in her being a consistent and reliable midfielder.

Speed is always a concern for clubs at times, but she has shown she is more than capable to finding the ball and executing cleanly. In front of goal however, Paterson does have a deficiency, kicking a lacklustre 6.10 for the season - and a few non-scores which was largely impacted by six behinds against West Perth.

On that day, Paterson had 37 disposals and six marks, and while not as efficient as usual, was the first of four 30-plus games, including another 37-disposal haul in the final round of the regular season against Peel Thunder. All-in-all, Paterson showed throughout the year she has the traits to translate her game to the elite level.