THE BEST ‘FOOTBALLER’

If you look up what many see to be the prototype ‘footballer’, then there’s a chance a photo of Ash Centra will accompany that definition. Standing at a good height of 174cm, with elite foot skills and decision making, few can produce a highlight reel quite like Centra. She has played on all three lines which gives her versatility a big tick too, starting as a key forward at Under 16s level, then progressing through to be a key back rotating through the midfield, now she plays as a midfielder/forward, but in all honesty has the licence to rotate all over the field. She is a natural match-winner and star ball-winner who rarely ever plays a bad game. Over the years her off-ball understanding has had to improve, and it that improvement has shown in 2024, with Centra only have one game below 24 disposals – and that match she was ill and came off early in the second term with only three disposals to her name. Otherwise she has had three games of 30-plus disposals and another of 47 touches. In 2024, Centra is averaging 29.0 disposals, 5.7 marks, 4.3 tackles, 3.3 inside 50s and has kicked 13.12 in the Coates Talent League season.

Given those mind-boggling numbers – which without the three disposal game would rise to 33.3 touches and more than two goals per game – it is easy to see why many would have Centra in the pick one spot, and it is certainly deserved. She has the best natural footballing traits, but also has improvements such as her set shot goalkicking which has plagued her since she came into the competition. For an elite field kick, it is strange to have that element as a rare blip on an otherwise perfect profile. She is also not explosive like Harris or Fish, but has that ‘stopping time’ element and strong hips that allow her to step between opponents and shrug off would-be tacklers with ease. Given Harris is club-tied to the Gold Coast Suns, expect Centra to be the first ‘live’ pick in the AFLW Draft.

ZIPPY BY NAME, ZIPPY BY NATURE

While Centra might be the most recognisable face in the 2024 AFLW Draft crop, Zippy Fish has the most recognisable name. She lives up to it too, with an explosive burst that once she is goalside, it is game over for opponents. Bursting onto the scene a few years ago when she won MVP for Western Australia during its internal Under 16s Championships – prior to playing other states – Fish has long racked up the accolades left and right. An All-Australian as a bottom-ager for the national championships, Fish starred last season for the Sandgropers and will again headline a squad that is stronger than years gone by. Playing at East Fremantle where there is no shortage of talent on-ball or around the field, Fish has ascended to the top of the most damaging players there, and her teammates look for her at every opportunity. At times it is mind boggling that opposition teams don’t place a tag on her, as Fish slices them up; able to burst from centre stoppages, run forward and kick goals from 40 metres with a classy finish. Oh, and last year she won best on ground in the WAFLW Grand Final leading her Sharks to a premiership.

In any other year, Fish would be a pick one lock, but the sheer strength of this draft means she is currently third which is no slight considering the two players above her. From and outside craft perspective and athletic profile, there are none better. She could go close to beating the 3.1-second mark in the 20m sprint, having clocked 3.14 seconds in the past at official preseason testing. Her agility and outstanding clean hands are other strengths in her game, as well as her aerial ability which pound-for-pound is as good as anyone’s going around. The main knock on Fish is her contested ball-winning ability as she is small and naturally has speed over strength, though she does lay some seriously strong tackles. A perfect second possession winner who also can balance between loose ball gets and handball receives to explode forward, she would complement any midfield that has pure contested ball-winners.

THE POWERFUL UTILITY

One of the many pick one contenders discussed over the last couple of years, Painter’s bottom-age season was curtained by a long-term ankle injury. Unfortunately that ruled her out of the second half of the Coates Talent League Girls season, as well as the AFLW Under 18 Championships. Her last national carnival back in 2022 saw her win the Vic Country MVP – ahead of Centra – as she simply dominated. Of her performances across two games, Painter was predominantly midfield/forward then put into defence to ‘rest’ only to rack up the ball there as well. Boasting a powerful right peg and more than capable on her left side as well, she is able to play in any role be it offensive or defence. Another handy size at 174cm, she is as strong as anyone overhead, and has a powerful burst off the first few steps to help her win plenty of clearances. Time and time again she is often guarded by opposition teams when playing for the Pioneers purely because of her impact wherever she goes. Her best position at AFLW level is unknown, but it is hard to doubt her quality.

Painter is incredibly in her fourth Talent League season, having made her debut as a triple bottom-ager back in 2021. This year she has kicked four goals from six games for the Pioneers, averaging 24.2 disposals, 5.0 marks, 7.2 tackles 6.8 inside 50s and 2.7 rebounds, testament to her ability to impact in multiple roles. She is yet to be able to play VFLW due to an untimely injury the week she was set to play for the Bombers, but has turned out for the AFLW Academy twice and had some big moments. While a lot of the focus for Vic Country at the national carnival will be on Centra, Painter has every bit the same talent, and just needs a consistent run in her top-age year to show just what she can do.

THE DEADLY LEFT-FOOTER

India Rasheed has had the touch of class and forward smarts since debuting for Sturt in the SANFLW three seasons ago. Though she has had some setbacks with injury along the way – including a hip injury that saw her miss the Under 17 Futures match last season, she has not wasted any time in stepping back up to the level this season. A damaging left-footer who can hit targets over any distance, Rasheed is the daughter of international tennis coach Roger, and the niece of former Collingwood and Port Adelaide player, Tyson Goldsack. Rasheed gained national attention for her terrific snap from the boundary during the 2022 SANFLW Grand Final where Sturt went down to North Adelaide. By her own admission, she didn’t think it was ‘one of her best’ but that gives an idea of just how good some of her goals have been. She has developed from a crafty forward into a genuine 50/50 midfielder/forward and dominated around clearances with her high level football smarts and nice first few steps allowing her to get clear. Though not as damaging was forced onto the right side or under pressure, give Rasheed a split second and she will hit kicks that very few can.

In 2024, Rasheed is averaging 22.1 disposals, 4.7 marks, 5.7 tackles, 4.3 clearances and 4.6 inside 50s, while kicking nine goals for the Double Blues from 12 SANFLW games. Though not gaining as much midfield time as others when playing for the AFLW Academy, that is also largely due to her forward craft. Still developing some areas of her game such as her opposite side, Rasheed knows how to impact games in multiple ways.

THE SILENT ASSASSIN

Molly O’Hehir is regarded as one of the nicest people off the field, and fiercest on it, and that is evident when both speaking to her and watching her, in a stark contrast. She is incredibly competitive and will run hard defensively and lay some bone-crunching tackles, while with ball-in-hand explode forward and set up scoring opportunities. An underrated element of her game is her score involvements, constantly picking the right options and opening the game up. At her height of 179cm and her athletic profile, O’Hehir is another player who would be in contention for the top pick most other years. She is not only explosive, but has elite endurance, taking out South Fremantle’s yo-yo test in the preseason and finishing among the best overall. Even when assessing all of these huge pluses, the other element is the fact that O’Hehir can play in just about any position. Her favourite is coming off half-back but she has spent time up forward, on a wing, and more recently inside for the Bulldogs at WAFLW level.

The talented tall is averaging 19.4 disposals, 2.2 marks and a whopping 6.1 tackles at WAFLW level for the Bulldogs, and also was one of the best for the Sandgropers in the WAFLW State match earlier this year. It might have been forgotten that she was a bottom-age All-Australian so her top-age season is not out of the blue and it has been brewing for a while. On traits alone, she is one of the best in the draft crop, and while her production is lower than the five above her, her upside is just as good as anyone.

CLASS AND POWER

Carlton fans will be excited to hear about the latest McKay coming through the ranks with Sophie an impressive all-round player out of the Sandringham Dragons. The daughter of Andrew and sister of Abbie shares similar competitive traits, but is also a very different player than the aforementioned pair. Her class in particular sets her aside, able to finish well and impact around goals, hitting the scoreboard consistently. She is able to not only rest forward, but play a meaningful role there, and while McKay is a natural midfielder, it adds a point of difference. The Vic Metro onballer is a first or second possession winner depending on who she is lining up with, and is very quick to run forward and win the ball just outside the arc before distributing. Her ability to use her powerful burst out of the stoppage helps her, and she can pop up for a goal or two a game most weeks. Her main area of improvement comes in her defensive running, with her ability to get forward a massive strength, but getting back less so. Still, she is a very exciting talent.

McKay is renowned for stepping up in big games, awarded MVP at the Under 17 Futures game last year for the winning side, while also being among the best in the AFLW Academy’s big win over the Under 23 All-Stars at the start of the year. She has had mixed form for Sandringham, and while it is evident she is often a class above, there is still room for improvement. Her defensive pressure is superb and she loves to tackle, and well as burst forward, and though she could tidy up some execution at times, she has a high impact-per-possession style. In 2024, McKay has averaged 22.6 disposals, 3.0 marks, 3.8 tackles and 4.2 inside 50s for the Dragons, and kicked three goals from her five matches.

VELCRO HANDS

Oakleigh Chargers key forward Emma McDonald only burst onto the scene as a bottom-ager but quickly caught the eye with her tenaciousness to leap for marks, and then being able to convert consistently with a reliable set shot routine. Coming into her top-age campaign, hopes were high for the talented tall who earned a spot in the AFLW Academy. She has not put a foot wrong this year, and is one of the best contested marking players going around. While she has spent time in defence, McDonald isn’t quite as versatile as some others in that tall-to-key position bracket, but is no less impactful. Standing at 179cm, McDonald is mobile and is not afraid to compete at ground level, laying her fair share of tackles when required. Aside from the loss to the Gold Coast Suns Academy, McDonald has kicked multiple goals in each of her four other Coates Talent League games, making for 10 goals in five matches at an average of two per game. That is alongside 15.4 disposals and 4.4 marks, and in the most recent AFLW Academy match, McDonald pushed up the ground to clunk eight marks and set up several scoring chances.

McDonald is very consistent for a key position forward, and being in a side with the midfield strength of Oakleigh certainly helps. Her field kicking is above average for a player of her size, and she has great vision going forward. McDonald is well aware of her limitations in terms of when she is deciding between taking a set shot and passing off, and will quite often keep her head on a swivel if a better option presents itself. The biggest plus of McDonald’s game outside her marking and set shot goalkicking is her second efforts, often going to ground and getting it out with a fierce competitive nature. In terms of the more players with a clear dominant first position, McDonald slots in nicely to the top 10.

THE UNDERRATED STAR

It is understandable when a player has missed a year due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that they may have been somewhat forgotten in draft calculations. There is no such memory loss here though, with McKee every bit as good as any other player in this draft. It is a big call, but the way she played as an Under 16s talent at SANFLW level and Under 18 Championships – making the All-Australian team no less – there is just too much to work with to drop her far down the order. On talent alone she is a top 10 lock, and had she played last year, may well have been talked up in the same light as the top few prospects. Athletically she is elite, with her speed and evasion sensational. From a footballing perspective, McKee is also elite in those areas, with a great understanding of what to do and when to do it, kicking three goals back in 2022 to help Central District get past West Adelaide off her own boot. It was a dominant effort, but not an outlier as she settled into life as a midfielder/forward. Since coming back from her ACL injury this year, McKee has played a deep forward role essentially stationed one-on-one in the goalsquare where she can go to work.

It is hoped through the national carnival she will get more midfield time and get to show some of the standout qualities she did as a double bottom-ager. Her skills, decision making and vision are so good, and she can kick off both sides of her body, as she showed recently in the SANFLW with a brilliant goal from the pocket off her non-preferred left. The main reason she is not higher is largely due to not having the same runs on the board of late, and only playing deep forward since her return. If she impacts up the field like she did a couple of years ago, she really should be in consideration for the top five. While looking at her stats this season might seem like she is a pure forward, she has a lot more strings to her bow, and it is hoped we will see them return again soon with a move up the field.

THE INTERCEPTING MACHINE

The younger sister of Port Adelaide’s Matilda, Poppy is forging her own path as a tall utility coming through the junior development pathways. Only eligible for this year’s draft by one day – born on December 31 – Scholz represents enormous upside. Though unlike her ruck sister, Poppy is more of an intercepting defender who can also play a variety of roles. With some experience in the ruck for South Australia’s Under 18s program last year, Scholz has also spent time as a winger – such as her Under 16s year – and even up forward. Known as a ‘unicorn’ type player, Scholz can fill a role in just about any position. Last year she averaged 14.0 disposals, 3.7 marks, 3.0 tackles, 6.3 hitouts and 2.0 rebounds rotating between defence and ruck for the Croweaters, and has played 22 games at SANFLW level. Though limited this season due to a mix of netball commitments and injury, Scholz is still enjoying a strong campaign and is focused on chasing her AFLW dream and ideally joining her sister at Alberton.

Scholz is averaging 13.9 disposals, 5.0 marks, 3.4 tackles, 2.0 inside 50s and 1.4 rebound 50s, while her ability to bite off risky kicks and hit targets on that 45-degree angle into the corridor as well as down the line, is a strength in her game. Without a doubt her aerial ability is her biggest weapon, taking six or more marks in four of her seven matches this season, racking up 16 or more disposals in each of those games as well. While consistency had been an area to improve on, Scholz has largely found that this season, and looms as a player who will certainly be viewed as a possible top 10 pick.

METRES GAINED PHENOMENON

When it comes to taking on the game, few do it better than Geelong Falcons’ Sara Howley. The massive ball-winner and reigning Coates Talent League Girls Best and Fairest winner is a consistent production player who can win it on the inside or outside, and pushes forward to impact the contest inside 50. There are very few players who can match her remarkable consistency in terms of both sheer production and work rate forward of centre, often winning two or three possessions in repeat contests. On numbers alone, she deserves to be higher on this list, and in just about any other year would be a top five lock. Still ranked inside the top five for Victorians, Howley has some unbelievable strengths, and still areas to work on. In four of her six Coates Talent League Girls matches, Howley has racked up 30 disposals, also averaging a goal per game. While a dominant forward runner, Howley could at times also lower the eyes going inside 50. In saying that, she has got the licence to take the game on as she backs herself and explodes away from opponents with ease, often dishing off the handball to receive it back and run hard forward.

Her aerial ability is strong, she lays her fair share of tackles, and has a solid kick-to-handball ratio for a player who accumulates often. When at her best, Howley is drifting forward and kicking goals, and she even spent time up forward against the Calder Cannons kicking three goals from 32 touches. Her best game though was arguably in the win against the GWV Rebels. There she had 36 disposals and kicked a goal, but made just about every disposal a winner and was great with her decision making and vision. On her traits alone she will be among the top handful of players going around, but the strength of this year’s draft – especially outside Victoria – has her just on the precipice of the top 10.

AERIAL STAR

Charlotte Riggs is the second Central District player inside the first round, and the fourth South Australian to fall within the top 12 of our Power Rankings. The Bulldogs defender has added more strings to her bow in 2024, also playing forward and through the ruck. With the addition of Miyu Endersby as an intercepting defender, the ultra-athletic star has broadened her horizons, while also still playing her familiar centre half-back role. Last year she returned to the field in the SANFLW Grand Final after copping an early knock, going forward and kicking a crucial goal during Central District’s remarkable comeback win. Though her consistency and four-quarter impact can waver at times, her massive vertical leap, along with her velcro-safe hands make her a valuable talent. She competes hard in the air and will tackle just as fierce at ground level, with great mobility that allows her to adapt in multiple situations. In a draft flushed with talls, Riggs is just another great top-end option.

The 182cm utility is averaging 11.4 disposals, 3.1 marks, 2.8 tackles and 2.3 rebound 50s for the Bulldogs this season, and had a 39-hitout game against Sturt in Round 9, also kicking two goals from seven disposals in a ruck-forward role. She can have some quieter games occasionally, but has a long kick and is generally efficient.

NATURAL LEADER

Everything seemed to click midway through last year when bottom-ager Sienna Tallariti moved to defence. Having been trialled as a midfielder and forward, Tallariti took her turn at going behind the ball and it worked a treat. The young Oakleigh star ended up getting better and better as the season went on, and it culminated in winning the best on ground in the Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final. Also representing Vic Metro for two games, Tallariti showed that her height – 168cm – is not a detriment to her playing a key role in defence. She is incredibly smart, reads the play well, clunks grabs with ease and makes good decisions with ball-in-hand. Though Tallariti might be slightly undersized and not as athletic as some others, it is testament to her ability to overcome her areas of improvement and impact just about every week. She has an elite kick, is strong one-on-one and can peel off from her opponent as well. All in all, there is not much Tallariti can’t do and being captain of the strongest Talent League Girls region is just another feather in the cap.

In 2024, Tallariti is averaging 20.1 disposals, 3.4 marks and 6.0 rebound 50s, while also occasionally being thrown forward just to show she has not lost her versatility. She has not played a bad game in a long time, and is as consistent as they come.

UNDERRATED KEY FORWARD

Claire Mahony’s stats might not jump off the page, but the GWV Rebels’ key forward is one with enormous potential. Underrated in many ways after being overlooked for the AFLW Academy, Mahony has shown that when she gets supply, she can be ultra-damaging. In Round 1 for the Rebels against the Geelong Falcons, Mahony had 17 disposals, seven marks and kicked 2.2 to almost single-handedly drag her side across the line. Unfortunately at times the Rebels have struggled to give her many looks, which has resulted in minimal impact. When she has pushed up the ground in recent weeks – even spending time in defence and on a wing – she has had maximum impact and showed just how impressive she can be. A competitive key forward who will crash packs and either clunk the mark or bring it to ground, Mahony is a special talent. She is raw, but her field kicking is outstanding, and though she is not a huge accumulator, as she showed against the Bendigo Pioneers, when given a chance she can have a day out, kicking four goals in a win.

Mahony has represented the All-Stars against the AFLW Academy on both occasions, and once again was limited by opportunities. When she did have a chance, she presented well and will always compete for a mark, and the traits that she brings to the table to not come around too often. The first player in this list outside the AFLW Academy, Mahony makes it in off upside, and it is anticipated that when representing Vic Country this year, she might have more chances to impact the scoreboard more consistently and will continue to stake her claim as one of the most impressive talls this year.

CLASS ON THE INSIDE

Gold Coast Suns Academy midfielder Tara Harrington is a player who is often flying under the radar due to playing alongside the likes of Havana Harris at Bond University, the Suns Academy and Queensland. While Harris does catch plenty of attention and deservedly so, Harrington has enormous talent in her own right. She has developed from a running defender and wing into a classy inside midfielder. Ultra clean by hand and smart with the ball-in-hand, Harrington is able to impact games through her use of well-weighted handballs and slicing kicks. While inside midfielders can be a dime-a-dozen, Harrington has shown when on the outside she can hurt opposition teams in transition with her fantastic foot skills. This year her work on the inside can might have gone unnoticed with the amount of work she has done in there, but her release by hand and equal measure of offensive and defensive pressure stands out in her game, earning her spot inside the top 15.

Harrington is rated highly internally, and it is easy to see why. She just does everything right, and since bursting onto the scene in the Under 16s, has not put a foot wrong. Standing at 167cm, Harrington is as tough as they come pound-for-pound and she is not afraid to crack in and match it with bigger opponents. With plenty of upside, the Queenslander can very easily settle into life as an outside player who rotates inside, or vice-versa, which is a nice point of difference compared to other inside midfielders.

TACKLING MACHINE

Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves had been around for a long time in Coates Talent League Girls circles, named on the list way back in 2021 as a 14-year-old, and making her debut during the Western Jets’ 2022 premiership season. She has played 29 games since and over the course of each season has bumped up her disposal average to a ridiculous 30.9 in season 2024. In fact, before her 19 disposals on the weekend against the Calder Cannons, Grieves’ lowest tally was 29 touches. Having also played as a forward – particularly in her first season – she graduated into the midfielder/forward role last season, and has predominantly been an inside mid for the Jets this year. Her contest-to-contest ability and knack for getting into open spaces shows off her work rate, but her best work is done on the inside. One of the best inside midfielders in the crop, her hands are clean and she works hard to extract the ball out of stoppages time and time again. When forward, she can clunk a strong mark having that string to her bow.

Coming off an MVP for the AFLW Academy in its win over the Under 21 All-Stars, Grieves has steadily maintained her consistency. She had 25 disposals, but just one of her 13 kicks was effective, compared to 75 per cent of her handballs. That kicking is an element that can improve, and considering the work she has done in impacting on the outside this season, is something that can come. She cracks in, goes hard and while formerly a ground ball get first possession winner previously, had 10 handball receives in the same game the most of anyone, giving an idea of her improvement and how she will only get better.

RUCK AND ROLL

Unfortunately injury has kept Dandenong Stingrays’ prospect Elli Symonds on the sidelines this season making her one of the more difficult players to judge with so many of her contemporaries having top-age season form. Despite missing on-field matches thus far, the AFLW Academy showed enough in her bottom-age campaign to suggest she’s comfortably a first round prospect. Aside from her final execution with her kicking, she ticks just about every other box. Having played as a ruck and forward, Symonds can clunk a grab, leap ridiculously high, and tackles hard, providing a dream prototype for a new-age ruck. Like in both the men’s and women’s footballing spaces, rucks who can act as a “fourth midfielder” are worth their weight in gold, and Symonds is just that. In her debut season, Symonds averaged 18.3 disposals, 2.2 marks, 5.4 tackles, 16.8 hitouts, 4.1 inside 50s and booted eight goals in 12 games. Her work around the ground was far above expectations, and that coupled with her athleticism made her an eye-catching prospect.

It is hoped Symonds will return late in the Coates Talent League Girls season – and hopefully for the national carnival – having sported a moon boot while assisting with the Stingrays’ coaching staff and AFLW Academy. While she is a raw talent, Symonds has enormous potential and with some matches behind her would undoubtedly move up the order.

UPSIDE PERSONIFIED

Stepping up to Coates Talent League Girls level last season, Grace Baba was an unlucky omission from Vic Metro’s squad as a bottom-ager, having impressed for Eastern Ranges throughout the 2023 season. She has outstanding athletic traits, but unlike a lot of athletic talls, has a lot more to her game. Her vertical leap is ridiculous, but she can also hit targets by foot and looks to take the game on whenever possible. At times the latter can run her into trouble and force her to make rushed decisions, but once playing within a game plan and an elite program, it is hard to deny that Baba will only get better. Unlike many who have been playing at the level for a number of years, Baba is only into her second season for the Ranges, and she earned an AFLW Academy spot. No doubt that was a balance between what she had shown in glimpses, and what she could produce, and in the first Academy win over the Under 23 All-Stars, she caught the eye with her high leaping and driving out of defence.

Baba is like an untapped talent ready to explode, and once again in 2024 she showed marked improvement after an impressive 20234 season that saw her average 12.6 disposals, 2.a marks and 3.6 rebound 50s across 13 games. Fast forward to this year, and the Ranges tall is currently missing due to injury but in her two games thus far, averaged 14.5 disposals and 3.5 marks, playing higher up the field than her deeper role last season.

HIGH-FLYING UTILITY

Another player who had her 2023 season curtailed by injury, Claremont’s Claudia Wright is Western Australia’s third AFLW Academy member and very much around the mark for that late first, early second round selection in an open draft. In the Tigers’ premiership season, Wright showed her potential to play 10 games and averaged 10.6 disposals, 2.1 marks, 2.2 tackles and 2.6 inside 50s playing a mix of half-forward and wing. At times she could shift to half-back – a role shew has also spent time at – as well as more recently inside midfield. All in all at 173cm, Wright is a smaller but similar version of Poppy Scholz – a player who can take a strong mark, make good decisions and hit targets forward of centre and compete well one-on-one – but also has that inside experience. Her production is not as high as others, and while that is a combination of playing multiple roles and also being in a side like Claremont which is flushed with ball-winners, she just oozes that X-Factor and ability to step up when required.

Wright is averaging 17.2 disposals, 4.4 marks and 3.8 tackles this season, also kicking three goals from her 10 matches. She has played on all three lines, and has built on her inaugural season two years ago with considerable increases across the board.

SERIOUS SKILLS

One of the more unique stories out of last year was the emergence of Jasmine Evans, who was scouted by the SANFLW Talent Pathway and zoned to Central District while representing her local league. She looked a class above during that carnival, and even when going to the next couple of levels, has not changed that perception. She might not be the biggest ball-winner or the most consistent and does have areas to further develop, but her skills by foot would be in the top five of this draft. That, coupled with her outstanding decision making and vision, allow her to be a point of difference compared to others. Evans is a player who constantly has her head on a swivel and can hit those 45-degree kicks without any issues. Like McKee, she has played at the incredibly strong Central District, so has largely played forward, with some rotations further afield. A natural playmaker, Evans is the player you want with ball-in-hand going inside 50 as she will almost always find a target. This season she has constantly been a threat in front of goal too, finishing in the top five goals with 15 for the season, 10 off the leaders.

While at times Evans could have greater production, she is right now an impact player who can pop up and win her side games, much to the dismay of Norwood who will not have fond memories of her kicking the match-winning goal once, then kicking three in a row to snatch victory away from the Redlegs a second time. Evans is a big-game player, kicking a crucial goal in last year’s SANFLW Grand Final and with further development, the softly spoken midfielder-forward can certainly make some noise with her game.

PENETRATING LEFT FOOT

Millie Lang is another player who will likely divide opinions and could end up going higher if a club requires a rock solid intercept defender. She is slightly down the pecking order compared to some of the other intercept defenders on this list purely because she does not quite have the athleticism that they have. However, she is every bit as strong, and with interest – hard to beat in one-on-one contests and boasting velcro-like hands. She did trial in the midfield this season, but is a far more impactful defender, with her footy smarts and rebounding ability key to her profile. Lang has the potential to be the tall that can both lock down on opposition forwards, or be that loose player who intercepts and sends a long ball out of defence. Her left foot is a damaging proposition, and while under pressure she can tend to throw it on the boot a bit more, her ability to kick long and clear the danger is important. She is also not one-sided, able to at least use her right side to a satisfactory standard, which is rare for left-footers. A point of difference when it comes to tall backs with her strength and readymade power.

Lang has already stepped up to senior level for Geelong’s VFLW side where she held her own against senior opponents. For the Rebels this season, Lang has not dipped below 20 touches, seeing plenty of the ball and taking four or more marks on six occasions, averaging 3.9 for the season, as well as 7.6 rebound 50s. One who can further prove herself at the National Championships.

POWERFUL SUPERBOOT

The top prospect from the Apple Isle, Mackenzie Williams is a powerful defender who has begun adding a midfield element to her game this season. While not as influential in there compared to her defensive role – similar to Lang – she has great power and strength to shrug off would-be tacklers and use her legs to drive forward and gain momentum. She is a super kick of the ball in terms of distance and penetration, though it is the accuracy with said kick that is the next step. Williams can tend to blast away at times, and while that is something she can continue to work on, she is not just a pure rebounder. The Tasmanian is also a strong interceptor who can read the play well, step up and take clutch marks and look to switch wherever possible. She plays the game in a fast style, and in the modern footballing world, getting speed on the ball is critical and she stands that chain through her power and creating that chaos football downfield. At this stage is the top-ranked Allies player.

Williams is averaging 19.6 disposals, 3.8 marks, 4.4 tackles, 2.5 inside 50s and 4.3 rebound 50s this season, also kicking her first Coates Talent League Girls goal back in Round 3 against the Giants Academy. She held her own in the AFLW Academy match, and at 171cm, is that in-between height of not quite being key position, but tall enough to match it with those players, as well as out-bodying smaller, but quicker players.

BASEBALL CONVERT

A member of the Giants Academy, Ash Patton is an internationally capped junior player in baseball, but opted to make the focus on Australian rules football this year seeing a bigger future in the sport. That is easy to see why when you have the untapped talent that Patton does. She is quick, agile and able to compete both in the marking contests and at ground level. A natural forward with great craft inside 50, she can be a nightmare for opposition defenders with the way she moves and gets into space. Her consistency is not quite there all the time, but as she showed in the AFLW Academy’s big win over the Under 23 All-Stars in April, she has the ability to match it with the best. That day she kicked a goal from 12 touches, four marks and three inside 50s, but it was her impact-per-possession that really stood out. Patton’s ability to make spectators sit up and take notice each time she wins it is a skill in itself. Her aerial ability is a highlight, but when she can size up the options going inside 50, she exhibits that touch of brilliance.

Patton averaged 13.3 disposals, 2.0 marks, 2.3 tackles and 1.7 inside 50s at Coates Talent League Girls level, while kicking three goals across her last two games. She is not a high production player and is still further developing elements of her game, but it is hard to deny the talent is there, and her class has shone over the last 18 months.

DRAFT BOLTER

Just about no one would have predicted Swan Districts’ Lily Paterson’s rise in 2024, with the talented midfielder left out of the West Australian Summer training hub. Having shown patches of brilliance at times, Paterson was ultimately coming off a season where she averaged 9.5 disposals, 1.1 marks, 1.7 inside 50s and six goals in 15 games. She would bob up here and there playing forward, but nothing massively substantial. Fast forward to this season, and her non-impactful performances are basically non-existent. She has been a key cog in the Swans’ finals tilt, and has won the ball at will playing inside midfielder, while rotating off both sets of flanks. In 2024, she is averaging 24.9 disposals in the WAFLW, while also picking up 4.4 marks, 4.1 tackles and kicking six goals. Her set shot goalkicking is an area of improvement with 6.10 for the season, largely impacted by her 0.6 against West Perth in Round 8. That day she also casually collected 37 disposals and clunked six marks, numbers she repeated on the weekend against Peel Thunder.

Paterson’s accumulation is backed up by skill and vision with her kicking and ability to execute absolutely sublime. She can win it on the inside off hands, as a second possession winner or when spreading well to the outside. She is not explosive, and that is arguably the chink in her otherwise impressive armour, though she can run all day, and it has helped her rack up 20-plus disposals in her past six games, including three 30-plus matches. There might not be many outside Western Australia who have seen much of Paterson, but she is very much in the top mix.

NATURAL TALENT

Another member of the GWS Giants Academy, Hall is a player who was denied a bottom-age season last year after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the preseason. A crucial talent who has played off half-back but can play just about anywhere, Hall won the Under 16 Championship MVP in 2022 for the Giants and showed off a mix of aerial ability and elite kicking. She has a penetrating, long kick and is able to compete with anyone on-on-one, also representing the Murray Bushrangers for the first time this season on the weekend. Against Tasmania Devils, Hall clunked seven marks, laid nine tackles and had a massive 31 disposals and five inside 50s, proving a key mover for the Bushies. Hall has had limited exposure compared to other players in the draft crop, but at her size  – 174cm – and natural footballing abilities, she has enormous potential to get better. If she can stay healthy, she is a top 20 player in the making.

Hall had to overcome the disappointment of missing last season, but turned up at the Giants Academy Preseason Testing Day and blitzed the yo-yo test in her first testing day coming off the ACL injury. More exposed form is needed and there are more athletic players, but Hall ticks a lot of boxes going forward.

TERRITORY TALENT

Tatyana Perry has accomplished a lot despite only being a top-ager this year. Already co-captain of Palmerston Magpies’ NTFL Women’s side, Perry is the sole Northern Territory representative in the AFLW Academy, and has shown over the last two seasons why she is so highly touted. While other Territory prospects might have gone higher in drafts than Perry will, there is a big case to suggest she is possibly the most readymade and still possessing the highest upside of the lot. She is classy with ball-in-hand, and while not as explosive as others, has that ability to slow down time and make good decisions. She sums up the situation well, is able to compete aerially, then can get her hands dirty when required. Having predominantly played off half-back for both the NT Academy and AFLW Academy this year, Perry is also a skilful midfielder, but her decision making and ball use is most effective coming off the defensive line. Another who might not be a high production player, but makes the most of when she has it.

In her two games for the Northern Territory Academy, Perry had 18 and 17 disposals, as well as laying five and eight tackles in wet conditions. She is so clean at ground level it stands out well above most others, and given her first game against the Western Jets was in torrential rain, it was even more noticeable. Like Williams, Perry will be a key player in the back 50 for the Allies at the national carnival, and may even get time further afield.

ALL-ROUND IMPACT

If a club is looking for a player who just does everything well, them Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Sarah Poustie might be a perfect fit. She is one of those players who does not have a single elite trait – other than her ridiculous endurance base – but she is strong overhead and at ground level, works hard contest-to-contest, can play inside or outside and is generally neat with the ball. She does not necessarily play a ‘pretty’ style of football – more ‘gritty’ – but that is due to her throwing herself at winning the hardball with reckless abandonment. She is a first and second possession winner, plied her trade out on a wing to start with and has since become a strong inside ball-winner as well. Her footballing smarts and elite endurance allow her to cover the ground with ease and she finds pockets of space all over the field. Consistency is another big tick for Poustie, not dropping below 20 disposals in any of her Coates Talent League Girls matches this season. A fortnight ago, Poustie had 24 disposals, six tackles and three clearances for the Under 21 All-Stars against the AFLW Academy to win her side’s MVP.

There is a lot to like about the way Poustie plays her football. She is a non-fuss player who while averaging 24.7 disposals per game for the Chargers, is also averaging 12.1 tackles per match. A defensive machine, she is not defined by one single area, and while some players have some clear elite areas and some key deficiencies, Poustie finds herself above the board in most elements of the game.

DUAL-SIDED STAR

Playing alongside the potential number one pick in Ash Centra can have its challenges to standout, but Jasmine Sowden has done a great job in doing just that. Emerging as a genuine AFLW Draft prospect in her own right, Sowden has being among the top three Power players in just about every game she has played this year, and quite often right there alongside Centra. Her standout qualities include her dual-sidedness, able to exit a stoppage and dispose of the ball off her right or left foot, as well as her tackling pressure. She has always been a phenomenal defensive player, but after showing promising signs as an offensive one, Sowden has had 20-plus disposals in six of her eight games this season for an average of 23.3 disposals. An underrated element of her game is her strength overhead, which she has shown to do consistently both through midfield and attack, working hard contest-to-contest. While at times she can tend to do too much with ball-in-hand, she has a lot of eye-catching traits particularly forward of centre.

In 2024, along with 23.3 disposals, Sowden is averaging 4.3 marks, 7.5 tackles, 3.6 inside 50s and 2.3 rebound 50s. She has the traits to complement many midfields, particularly with her ability to use both sides of her body and still hit targets while running in transition. Though she might have only kicked the four goals herself, she has set up plenty more with her ability to get the ball into dangerous spots.

TOUGH AS NAILS

Glenelg midfielder Violet Patterson’s competitiveness is unrivalled, with her pound-for-pound tackling pressure almost making the spectator feel sore watching her crunch opponents into the turf. But Patterson is far more diverse than just defensively, with her ability to play both inside and outside, and hold a good line wherever she slots in. Capable overhead, Patterson also has that quick few steps to get out of congestion or break the lines, and as she fins space well, she can win it and take off, kicking down the ground. In the past, Patterson has lacked consistency, but in 2024, the potential Collingwood father-daughter had three consecutive matches of 25 disposals, and hit 20-plus on a further two occasions. Her tackling numbers are out of this world considering she is playing in a senior competition, but it underpins her game style and what she could add to a club. As a club-tied talent to the Magpies, no doubt Collingwood has been keeping a close eye on her this season.

Patterson is averaging 18.9 disposals, 2.4 marks, 8.1 tackles, 3.9 clearances and 3.4 inside 50s so far in the SANFLW season, returning to the side on the weekend after missing due to the Under 21 All-Stars representation and having overcome a hand injury that saw her miss a few weeks a month ago. All in all, Patterson has some developable traits and the Magpies will have first access to her if they choose to go down that route.

OUTSIDE-RUNNING SWAN

Sydney Swans Academy’s sole AFLW Academy member Emma Juneja has come on in leaps and bounds this year. She showed some raw potential in 2023, but has lived up to her inclusion in the Academy with some strong form at Coates Talent League Girls action. At 172cm, Juneja is a good size for a wing, and in her first two matches for the red and white in particular, she averaged 18 disposals and seven marks, the latter being a key element of her game. She is so strong overhead and can match it with just about anyone, while having that explosive speed to run off and kick forward. With time and space she uses the ball well, and while under pressure she can still tighten up her efficiency, has become comfortable in her role on the outside. Though not the biggest ball-winner going around, Juneja holds her line well and her running can often go unrewarded, but is usually capable of winning the handball receive or mark in space and look to open up the game with her kicking. It will be fascinating to see how she performs for the Allies, with her AFLW Academy game recently promising, but ending with an ankle injury.

Juneja makes it three New South Wales prospects in the top 30, and the first out of the Swans Academy. She does well when pushing forward to be able to hit the scoreboard, and a third of her touches come from marks. Also able to bring the defensive pressure, while not the finished product just yet, she is promising.