A promising talent whose 2021 year ended early after an unfortunate ankle injury, Ewings has long been touted as a top prospect. Winning the Breakthrough Player Award in the SANFL Women’s as a 15-year-old, Ewings has power and strength, able to compete against much bigger opponents. Her penetrating boot is incredibly damaging forward of centre, and she attacks the contest with vigour. After missing last year’s championships due to injury, expect a huge 2022 from the midfielder.

Three games is all it took for the dual sport athlete to make it as the top Victorian tipped heading into 2022. Her right foot is arguably the most deadly both from a technical and impact standpoint, and she has rare athleticism to boot. Despite having to juggle a couple of sports, the talented midfielder produced a ridiculous three-game stint to win a flag with the Chargers, and is one of the most exciting prospects coming into 2022.

The tall midfielder is a name who has been on the radar for many years, and she has performed consistently over many seasons. Taller than nearly all of her fellow midfielders, Ham is strong inside and able to boot the ball further than most as well. Capable of playing as a tall forward and strong overhead, Ham has the potential to play in multiple key roles, but her clearance work and body use is what sets her aside. One who consistently finds the ball on a string.

The enigma of the list, Scott can rip the heart out of any opposition defence. The GWV Rebels forward is one of those players that would give defenders nightmares because they could do everything right for three quarters, and then she comes out and kicks four in a term to win the game off her own boot. Leading the goalkicking at the Under 19s Championships as a bottom-ager, Scott is so strong overhead and at ground level, and she is capable of the unthinkable. If her consistency within games improves, watch out.

The Dandenong Stingrays speedster was robbed of a Under 19s Championships and finish to the NAB League Girls season after injury early in the first game of the championships. With elite athleticism – in particular her acceleration – Clarke has played everywhere on the ground over the past two years. The last 12 months she has settled between forward and midfield, which is where she can get goalside and burn off any opponent, or burst out of a stoppage with no hope for the opposition. A full season could bring even more eye-catching moments.

Most of the midfielders on this list are smooth-moving skilful types, and Hurley is no different. Her ability to glide out of a stoppage with a speedy first few steps is outstanding, and her evasion is just as impressive. She can go forward and set up scoring chains, and play inside or outside. Her inside athleticism and her outside ball use is terrific, and alongside a number of talented Sandringham Dragons prospects, expect Hurley to continue to improve in 2022.

A player who could easily rise higher on the list by year’s end, Baskaran has elite skills, and showcased them when playing off half-back and then the wing in past years. In 2021, Baskaran went inside, and whilst she was not as efficient, she still had high impact, and is incredibly damaging when given time or space. Her hands in close are terrific and her footy IQ is far greater than most of her peers, which is why she ticks so many boxes and is one who has a bright future.

Many people might not have seen too much of Gee over the last 12 months with the talented Gold Coast Suns Academy prospect only able to play the one Under 19s Championship game. However her traits and output stack up against the best going around, with her mix of skill and athleticism very eye-catching. Gee can burst out of a stoppage and hit targets inside 50 with regularity, and play anywhere on the field. Another one who could rise much higher with more games against quality opposition.

Another outstanding, classy player, Ransom is the top prospect coming out of Tasmania this year. She ticks the box of athleticism and skill, and is often utilised as that second possession winner in midfield to take off and then hit targets by hand or foot. A dual-sided athlete, even her non-preferred touches are efficient, and her preferred side touches are high-impact. She will have a big role in 2022 and may increase her contested ball-winning work, but given time and space, Ransom can do as much damage as anyone going around.