Tegan Williams is one of the rare key position options in Victoria with an AFLW Draft Combine invite, and earned her place amongst the best in the draft crop after a strong carnival with Vic Country. The Bendigo Pioneers tall cut her teeth as a rebounding defender in year’s gone by, but is a natural forward, a role she switched to in her top-age year, averaging a goal a game.

Williams is an ideal swingperson with a knack to adapt to roles at either end of the field. She might be deemed more of an ‘old school’ footballer for her contested marking, outstanding penetrating kick, and most of her touches coming from leading up the ground - be it through marking or follow-up efforts. But the Pioneers tall also has a high work rate and enough footy smarts to be a natural footballer, and could be a real value pick-up for a side in this year’s AFLW Draft.

Playing in a couple of sides who struggled for the most part, Williams was a shining light, and even in a heavy defeat against South Australia, looked likely to break the game open in the first half. The one aspect that clubs will have to overlook is her athleticism, with Williams not the most explosive, nor evasive tall, but when you’re a strong contested marking player, something has to give. She is able to pull down big grabs and even react quicker than a lot of opponents, and put her body on the line, with her field kicking - when going inside 50 - a highlight in her game.

Williams would also like to impact more at ground level, though she does put pressure on opponents and will always beat them in the air or usually on the lead. If Williams can find a home as a lead-up forward, or even a defensive tall who can intercept in the back half, she can easily adapt at the top level and be a crucial key in a team’s spine.