STRENGTHS:

+ Power
+ Speed
+ Contested work
+ Reading the play
+ Aerial ability
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Kicking precision
- Composure

PROFILE:

Zoe Hargreaves' game is built around her combination of power and speed, particularly from the stoppage. She reads the taps well and can burst through gaps in congestion to win the ball and kick it long down the ground. Her bodywork allows her to outmuscle opponents, while her speed leaves them in her wake.

While coming out of a stoppage is the most eye-catching area for her athletic prowess, Hargreaves does create run and carry when on the outside. She competes well overhead, and being a 172cm prospect, will often have the extra height to outside smaller running opponents.

At Coates Talent League Girls level, Hargreaves averaged 4.2 marks from her 21.0 disposals, an incredible feat considering she was largely based at the coalface. Her ability to read the play allows her to find space across the ground and she can clunk some big grabs. From there, Hargreaves opens the game up with her run or looks to hit off kicks on angles when required, with nice footy smarts and vision.

There are some elements to her game that can further sharpen up, such as her composure under pressure and kicking precision, the latter of which was an area Hargreaves targeted this season to improve. She has a powerful kick, and with time and space has no problems nailing passes. But like so many with that explosive burst, she can tend to rush the ball onto the boot when under pressure or just kick for distance rather than accuracy.

While improving those elements to her game will be important at the next level, Hargreaves does have the natural footballing smarts to make calculated decisions, and it is more about the execution itself. She understands the game, enjoys playing off half-back where she can see the full view of the field, and then get forward to be a facilitator going inside 50.

Her best performance of the national carnival came under the roof of Marvel Stadium against Vic Country where she had 25 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, seven clearances and four inside 50s to be one of Metro's best on the day. She ended the carnival averaging 16.0 disposals, 2.3 marks, 4.7 tackles and 2.7 clearances, also spending time out of defence.

Looking ahead to the future, Hargreaves does have that exciting upside that clubs love due to her size and versatility,. She can win it on the inside or outside, compete in the air or at ground level, and understands the game well. Once she can tidy up a few execution elements, she will round out her overall profile nicely.