STRENGTHS:

+ Contested work
+ Competitiveness
+ Defensive pressure
+ Endurance
+ Clean hands
+ Strength

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Kicking
- Outside game

PROFILE:

Crabtree had a stuttered start to the season missing a couple of games in the first month, and then eventually being able to adjust by the midway point of the Talent League competition. Once she got going, the inside midfielder consistently found the ball and was not afraid to throw herself at every challenge for both GWV Rebels and Vic Country.

Slotting seamlessly into the Vic Country lineup, Crabtree played all three games, averaging 14.3 disposals and 3.0 tackles per match, symbolic of her defensive nature. She is consistently competitive and aggressive at both the ball and opposition, providing four-quarter effort which is supported by a high endurance base.

She finished among the top athletes in the 2km time trial at the AFLW Draft Combine, and her running capacity shows on the field. Though not athletic, Crabtree is quick by hand which underpins her game. She is one of the cleanest ball users at ground level, often winning it one take and scooping it out to a nearby runner.

Those clean hands coupled with her defensive pressure and natural competitiveness is what has earned her an AFLW Draft Combine invite. For a 161cm player, Crabtree is strong at the coalface, gets down low and earns her touches, but pushes hard around the ground to find the ball. As the season went on, her production went up.

Not known as an aerialist, Crabtree had one out of the box in Round 14 against Northern Knights, taking six marks to go with her 27 touches. At ground level is where Crabtree thrives, and her contest-to-contest work allows her to have sustained impact at repeat stoppages. Not always the flashiest player given improvements could come in her polish, Crabtree plays an important inside role that makes her teammates better.

Crabtree's areas of development come in her kicking and outside game, with the bulk of her best work done in close. She can cove the ground well and could play a defensive role in another position, but further developing that impact and execution will take her game to another level.

From an inside standpoint though, Crabtree ticks a lot of the boxes, and that defensive-minded role with her incredible desire to win each contest will appeal to clubs. She is one of a number of players who could feature later in the draft which would be attributed to a consistent season when on the park.