RUCK OR ROVER?

The fourth of the Davies sisters in line to reach the top level, Georja has come with massive wraps as the one likely to go the highest in the draft of the quartet. Now that clubs are able to place bids at certain picks, expect that to be the case. Though she started out as a key forward, Davies is a 185cm ruck/midfielder who can go into centre bounces and play either role really effectively.

Strengths:

Athleticism is what stands out for Davies, with a huge vertical leap and outstanding speed for a player of her size. Davies has the traits to play anywhere on the ground, though through the middle is where she has settled of late. From a skills perspective, she has a lovely kick which can hit targets with low bullets, a real point of difference considering her height.

Question marks?

While Davies is known to take the ball out of the ruck and has the smarts to compete around the ground, she is still developing that stoppage craft as a midfielder. She wins midfielder-like numbers, but more of those come from around the ground as a target or in transition than necessarily at the stoppage when acting as an onballer.

Last month:

Davies played three Coates Talent League Girls games for the Suns Academy, averaging 20.0 disposals, 5.7 marks, 4.3 tackles and 2.3 clearances, predominantly playing as a midfielder, but also dropping behind the ball to assist. With the Suns missing a host of top-end talents such as Usher and Dekota Baron, she copped a lot of attention from the opposition, though missed the Suns’ last game against Northern Knights due to suspension.

>> Feature: Georja Davies

DUAL-SIDED DANGER

An incredibly gifted footballer and a standout from the Victorian crop given both her current output and upside, Bown has been an eye-catcher over the past two and a half seasons. She earned a place with Vic Metro as a bottom-ager and has been a member of the title-winning Chargers’ outfit. Over her time at the Chargers, she has progressed as a forward into a tall midfielder.

Strengths:

Bown is tall at 173cm and unlike many other peers, can use both sides of her body. It is easy to think the right-footer is actually left-footed considering the natural look when she has to swing onto her opposite side. Add in her penetrating kick, footy IQ, incredible strength overhead and great decision making, and Bown is a really well-rounded prospect.

Question marks?

While her kicks are penetrating, Bown is one who can further refine her kicking to be more precise. She is great for distance and she has the smarts to put them into the right areas, but further refinement to really nail those passes over different distances will further enhance her game.

Last month:

Bown has racked up 30-plus disposals in three of her past four games, and averaging a touch under 30 disposals per game. She is also putting up numbers of 4.0 marks and 5.6 tackles, though her biggest accomplishment in 2025 came when she won MVP for the National Academy against the All-Stars for her work through the middle.

>> Feature: Chloe Bown

FORWARD FORCE

Similar to Usher and Davies, Baron is one who has been talked up for some time out of the Suns Academy and offers a different look to them as well. More of a full-forward who can also ruck, Baron provides a presence inside 50 and won the QAFLW Rising Star Award last season for her year with Southport. Such is her highlights package, she also won Mark of the Year in the same competition and has really developed her athleticism over the last couple of years to be a nightmare matchup.

Strengths:

One of, if not the best contested mark in the draft crop, Baron has velcro-like hands that will pull anything down that is in her vicinity. As mentioned, her athleticism has further developed over the last couple of seasons to mean she can breakaway on the lead or win an arm-wrestle, making her a dual threat inside 50. Her set shot goalkicking is another big tick, with a reliable routine that gets the job done.

Question marks?

Her defensive pressure once the ball hits the deck is a work in progress, which is not too much of a surprise for a tall forward. She doesn’t drop it all that often so there usually isn’t need for a follow-up, but her defensive pressure, as well as continuing to develop a greater knack for one-on-ones against opponents who can match her size.

Last month:

Unfortunately Baron has also not been sighted since last season, having had to recover from a finger injury she sustained in 2024, though it is hoped she will return some time soon.

>> Feature: Dekota Baron

BIG GAME PLAYER

Wolmarans boasts some of the highest upside in this year’s AFLW Draft class. An elite athlete who been an eye-catching player for a number of years, she won her side’s MVP at last year’s Under 17 Futures match – Baron won the other team’s best – and has not slowed down since then. She starred for Western Australia up forward from limited opportunities, and has been a huge feature for Subiaco’s WAFLW side in 2025.

Strengths:

Her athleticism and general mobility really comes to the fore in games, where if she doesn’t mark it, then she can burst away and beat smaller opponents at ground level. If the opposition does not have a tall and athletic defender to match up on her, then Wolmarans can do a stack of damage. She also has fantastic work rate for a key forward, and at 181cm has has stints in the ruck as well.

Question marks?

Her hands are very good aerially, but further work on her contested marking – particularly against equally strong opponents – as well as developing her forward craft are what she is focusing on at the moment. The latter has been coming along really nicely as the season has progressed.

Last month:

After a couple of quiet goalless games in the WAFLW, Wolmarans has booted five majors in the past fortnight to go with her six from her opening two games at the start of the season. She has her ups and downs, but when she is on, she is hard to stop.

>> Feature: Olivia Wolmarans

BALL MAGNET

Few players can hold a candle to Baker-West’s sheer volume of ball-winning ways with the small midfielder consistently racking up 30 disposals per game and has incredibly averaged that figure across her past three seasons. One of the rare talents to make her debut as a triple bottom-ager in 2022 – where she played an incredible six games – since then Baker-West has averaged 31.4, 39.5 and now 34.5 disposals per match, along with stuffing the stats sheet across the board. She only managed two games last season due to injury but the two-time Vic Metro Under 16s MVP is fit and firing now.

Strengths:

The ridiculous production that Baker-West churns out every week is simply amazing, and she ticks most boxes. An underrated skill for a player of 165cm is her overhead marking, averaging 6.2 per game. That, along with her tackling and ground coverage – to win multiple possessions within a play – standout. She has the smarts and can use the ball well in transition with great vision going forward. Baker-West has also spent time in each third of the ground as well.

Question marks?

Her goalkicking is an element that can improve with the prospect still booting three majors in six games, but missing a few a player of her quality should nail. That, along with her composure at times under pressure to throw it on the boot and go for distance are ways she can refine her game, given she can be such a damaging kick turning defence into offence.

Last month:

Baker-West has done what she has always and just finds the ball at will. Her past two rounds have been numbers of 38 and 41, with her Round 5 performance of the former, as well as 14 marks, 10 clearances and seven inside 50s earned her our Player of the Week. You know what to expect from Baker-West who can play on all three lines and has a big Metro carnival coming up.

>> Feature: Chloe Baker-West

TOUGH AND SKILFUL

A really well-balanced player, McMillan has the hardness you want from any player, but also the skill and poise that few have. Add them together as a combination, and she is a rare prospect. The Eastern Ranges prospect leads by example and is averaging similar numbers to last season, which given she is also spending time in defence, is very good. Was unlucky not to crack into a full member – rather than train-on – in Vic Metro’s Under 18s side last year, but unsurprisingly earned her place in the National Academy for 2025.

Strengths:

McMillan’s balance of strength and skill sets her apart. Usually when winning truckloads of contested ball and bursting out of the stoppage you can turn it over, but the Eastern Ranges small has such great poise she can lower the eyes and hit a target going forward. Her clean hands when she has it, and fierce defensive nature when her opponent has it, all underpins what she offers to a club. One of the most well-rounded players in the draft.

Question marks?

At 161cm, McMillan is a touch below the now average height for an inside midfielder, and she is not a huge goalkicker even when she spent time forward last season. It is an area she can further touch up as every great midfielder hits the scoreboard, but you’re being nit-picky when it comes to question marks as McMillan is really consistent across the board.

Last month:

Excluding the one-sided domination against the Western Jets – where she played a half in defence – McMillan has not dropped below 23 disposals all season. She has laid at least five tackles in every Coates Talent League Girls game, and also fronted up for the National Academy last month and Vic Metro trials yesterday.

>> Feature: Tayla McMillan

POWER PLAYER

It might be easy to forget that the supremely talented Russo won the Under 16s MVP for the carnival two years ago, which is essentially saying the best player of this age group for that tournament. Two Rogers Cup best and fairests and a National Academy invite later – among other accolades – and Russo remains one of the top prospects despite an injury-interrupted bottom-age campaign that saw her miss the first two National Championships matches and still be rusty for the third. However her performances for West Perth over the last two seasons have been very impressive against senior opponents.

Strengths:

Russo has the need for speed, and her explosiveness out of the contest is the standout quality, behind perhaps only Usher in that regard. She throws herself at every contest and is a contested ball winning beast who can also spread to the outside and provide an avenue to goal. Usually clean at ground level and readymade to play in the big leagues, Russo will be one of the players who can make a more immediate impact.

Question marks?

Further working on her precision kicking is a main focus for Russo, as she possesses a powerful boot that is damaging in distance and when “on” can be lethal. While gaining greater consistency on that front, Russo’s defensive running is another element to continue developing, though it has improved this season from last.

Last month:

After a quiet couple of games to start the WAFLW season, Russo has since produced four consecutive weeks of 20-plus disposals and become a key player through the Falcons midfield. She is currently being managed as her workload – which includes the National Academy where she impressed last month captaining the side – is quite heavy.

>> Feature: Mia Russo

INTERCEPT MACHINE

If we’re talking about CVs, then West Australian Cowcher has one of the most prestigious entering her top-age season. The Peel Thunder defender has won back-to-back Under 18s MVPs as well as All-Australian honours, and also winning the WAFLW Rising Star in her first season. She has featured at senior level for the past three seasons, is as readymade as anyone, and provides a rock in the back 50 for the Mandurah side. Another member of the National Academy as most of the top 20 are.

Strengths:

Cowcher’s a supreme reader of the play, positioning herself in the right spots nearly each and every time, while plucking intercept marks left, right and centre. She is a long and effective user of the ball, and has spent some time in midfield, though is a far more effective defender. She is best suited as that third tall who can leave her opponent to come across and intercept, before switching lanes and opening up play for her teammates.

Question marks?

As mentioned, her ability to peel off her opponent and intercept is one of her strengths, however one area she needs to further develop is when engaged in a one-on-one. She is so good at being offensively dangerous, that further strengthening that one-on-one capability is another string she can add to her bow.

Last month:

Cowcher racked up a massive 28 disposals, four marks and seven tackles in a loss to Claremont for Peel Thunder, which was the first time her defence has been under siege in the season. Unfortunately since then, back stress fractures have put her season on ice for now, with the durable top-ager in rehabilitation mode as it stands.

>> Feature: Evie Cowcher

CLASS WITH A CAPITAL ‘C’

Two years ago, Eaton captained the South Australian side to an Under 16s campaign triumph, winning her state’s MVP and being one of the best performed players alongside Russo in that carnival. She has shown throughout her SANFLW career that she can play a multitude of roles, cruising out of the middle and pinpointing passes forward of centre, or nailing tricky goals with incredible skill. One of the best users in the draft crop, when Eaton can win 20-plus touches against you, you’re in for a bad day.

Strengths:

Eaton’s skill and decision making stand out in her game, and when she is up and about, few can match her ability to hit those 45 kicks to open the game up. Spending time up forward, through the middle and even at times, half-back, Eaton is one of those X-factor players who can just make magic happen. The Central District top-ager does not need a lot of disposals to inflict maximum damage, and at her best is right up there with the most naturally gifted in the draft class.

Question marks?

Midfield craft and contested work are a couple of areas that can further develop, with Eaton just simply too good at junior level, but coming up to seniors, had to develop even more ways of impacting around the stoppages. She has a high level of endurance and speed, and can further work over opponents for long periods of time, but has lapses here and there. Overall though, she’s a player you want in your side.

Last month:

Has had some ups and downs this season, and is averaging 14.3 disposals from her past four SANFLW games playing predominantly midfield but also now spending time forward in the past fortnight. She showed in Round 1 how dominant she can be, so if she can rekindle some of that form, or the performance she showed against South Adelaide in Round 7, then she will be causing quite a few headaches for opponents.

>> Feature: Sophie Eaton

BACK AND BRILLIANT

Unfortunately an ACL injury put a line through West Australian Crane’s bottom-age campaign, with the Subiaco prospect only returning in Round 5 of the WAFL Women’s season. Having not played since Round 16, 2023 in the league, Crane returned back into her defensive 50. She is similar to Cowcher in the way she reads the play so well, positions herself behind the ball and is so strong overhead, and has even spent time through the middle as an Under 16s prospect. A really popular player amongst her peers and made the National Academy despite not playing last year.

Strengths:

Crane is the most damaging intercept defender in the draft class with her variety of kicking enabling her to take the risk through the corridor or switching to space on the other side of the ground. She can make the right decisions with ball in hand, and though she does her best work in the air, is good enough at ground level to follow-up well. At 179cm, she has the height to trouble a lot of players. Her defensive pressure for a tall is also outstanding.

Question marks?

The elephant in the room like with Usher is how she performs consistently back from the ACL. On-field, Crane is not the quickest player, but she has that poise that ‘slows time’ and that holds her in good stead. As a whole is a really well-balanced player and really just needs that continuity to show it.

Last month:

Crane has returned to the WAFLW like she never left, averaging 16.0 disposals and 5.7 marks in her three games since returning for Subiaco. In the massive win over Peel Thunder on the weekend, Crane clunked nine marks from 17 disposals and was a real headache for the opposition. If she can keep that form up, she has the class of a Top 10 player for sure.

>> Feature: Olivia Crane

CONTESTED BULL

Bowering has spent her past four seasons as an integral member of the Devils lineup and even was an Under 18s Allies extended representative a couple of years back, while slotting in for three games last year at the national championships. Born just two days into 2007, Bowering is one of the most consistent inside midfielders, and has racked up the accolades from Under 16s MVPs and All-Australian teams to club best and fairests as well. Another popular player amongst her teammates, Bowering has an uncompromising style and leads from the front.

Strengths:

A natural contested ball-winning midfielder, Bowering does not back down from a challenge, and while she has shown she can impact at both ends of the ground, her centre clearance ability is arguably the best in the draft crop. She reads it so well off the ruck’s hands, gets into the right spots and drives the ball forward consistently. In aerial contests, Bowering is so difficult to beat given her strength, and her clean hands at ground level and in the air make her more often than not a one-touch player.

Question marks?

Bowering’s main focus over the off-season was building her tank and working on her running patterns to best impact the games as she often spends a lot of petrol getting to areas where she may not always win the ball. The bulk of her touches come within 10 metres of a stoppage, but she can spread to the outside and be a marking option down the field. Her kicking is penetrative and almost always put into effective positions, but can further be enhanced with greater precision when under pressure.

Last month:

Bowering’s Devils came into the Coates Talent League Girls competition late and the Tasmanian has played all four games, averaging 18.8 disposals, 5.8 tackles and 5.3 clearances. Impressive numbers for a player who spent significant time up forward in the first game and also down back in stints, but goes to show how easily she can find it when on-ball.

>> Feature: Priya Bowering

FOOTY’S EINSTEIN

The second Eastern Ranges talent to make the list, Allen is one of the draft class’ most clever players, and has been utilised on a wing and through the middle, though is now returning to where it all began for her, half-back. She is averaging consistent numbers across the board and plays as a high half-back and has the licence to drive the ball forward with aggressive run and carry. A member of the National Academy, Allen is a well-balanced player who though is best suited to the outside, can win her own ball and apply defensive pressure.

Strengths:

Allen’s footy IQ sets her apart from the group with her understanding of the game coming off half-back allowing her to time her runs well,  receive the ball and pump it forward. Her skill and decision making with ball in hands stands out, and she can pierce passes down the field, willing to bite off those 45 kicks. A high metres gained player, Allen is a distributor who makes her teammates better with smart ball use.

Question marks?

Allen’s main improvement comes in her aerial ability as a lighter bodied player. Competitive at ground level, she can further improve her overhead marking. and while she is tough as nails when applying pressure, she can be a touch fumbly under pressure at the coalface. The two areas are minor tweaks she can make to her game to add to her impressive profile.

Last month:

All Coates Talent League Girls season, Allen has maintained a great level of consistency, not dropped below 17 touches with a standout performance against the Lions Academy where she was best on ground with 26 touches, four marks, four tackles and 10 rebound 50s. Another one who gained great experience with the National Academy last month too.

>> Feature: Jordyn Allen

STURT’S SMOOTH-MOVER

Alongside Eaton is another member of the National Academy, with Bessen being a clean an damaging user both out of midfield and as a half-forward. Having made her debut for Sturt in 2023, Bessen has been a permanent fixture for the side at SANFLW level. She was also named in the South Australian side as a double bottom-ager that year, and though she didn’t crack in for a game, managed all three last season where she got a taste for representative action. Her 2025 season is looming to be her best yet.

Strengths:

A skilful player with great decision making skills, Bessen does not waste too many touches and is a facilitator to make things happen inside 50. When forward, she has the class and finishing ability to hit the scoreboard, and kicked six goals from 12 games rotating between midfield and attack. Out of the middle, Bessen is primarily a second-possession winner and will assess her options before putting the ball into advantageous positions. Her defensive traits also shine through for a player who is so damaging with ball in hand.

Question marks?

At this stage Bessen is a second-possession winner while she builds her strength as she can get bumped off the ball a little. Her consistency through her bottom-age campaign wavered at times, though it will come with more continuity in a role which she has seemingly got this year, as is her explosive speed that she has been working on as a player who has a handy cruising speed alongside a strong tank.

Last month:

Bessen was one of the best in South Australia’s first internal trial match, and in her past three SANFLW matches, has been near or best-on for the Double Blues. In that time period she has averaged 26.7 disposals, 3.3 marks, 6.7 tackles, 6.3 clearances and 3.7 rebound 50s, working hard both around the coalface and defensively.

>> Feature: Monique Bessen

THE DRAFT BOLTER

While most of these names will be familiar to a lot of people who have kept close tabs on the National Academy, Neyland is one who might result in some further research. A tall forward out of the Sydney Swans Academy, Neyland has exploded back onto the scene in her top-age season after missing last year due to an ACL injury. Playing for the Swans through the Under 22s Summer Series and Coates Talent League Girls competitions, Neyland has caught the eye with her balance of offensive and defensive traits and enormous upside. Though this might be a high ranking for a player with less exposure compared to some others, she has the talent for it.

Strengths:

Neyland is a fantastic aerial player who can find midfielder-like numbers with her work rate up and down the ground. She showed throughout the Summer Series and then into the Coates Talent League that despite playing at centre half-forward, is not restricted to the forward 50 arc, and works up the ground to impact even in the back half. A former centre half-back, Neyland’s point of difference compared to other tall forwards is her defensive pressure and creating plenty of goal-scoring opportunities for her teammates.

Question marks?

Having spent so much time out of the game the last 12 months, Neyland is still working on her kicking and getting more precise with her ball use. She is developing it as she goes along, but it shows going for goal too, with a few potential majors left out there. When she can tweak that element of her game – along with her composure – she will have a very well-rounded profile.

Last month:

Neyland is averaging 18.3 disposals, 4.7 marks, 7.0 tackles and 4.0 inside 50s from her three games with the Swans Academy at Coates Talent League level. She will be a wildcard for the Allies as a forward target this year, and her upside is evident. Any 178cm forward who lays seven tackles per game is rare as hens teeth.

>> Feature: Alex Neyland

SHEER STRENGTH

McLay will be one of the unfortunate stories of this year, having injured her shoulder for the National Academy and will be put on ice throughout her top-age campaign. She has done enough over the last couple of seasons to be an obvious choice for AFLW clubs, having played every position on the ground, and already represented Vic Metro as a bottom-ager. Prior to her injury, McLay had been named Calder Cannons captain and got her chance to don the Australian jumper.

Strengths:

Her physicality is a clear tick given her strength and ability to use it well both at ground level and around the ground. She has spent time as a midfielder, ruck, tall defender and tall forward, making her one of the most versatile players going around. Furthermore, McLay has great defensive pressure and a booming kick that enables her to clear the zone and put pressure on the opposition defence. Riding shotgun with Baker-West at Calder, McLay also found plenty of the ball and impacted in a multitude of ways.

Question marks?

McLay’s kicking precision and composure under pressure at times were the main area to further develop, often blasting away and thumping long down the ground. In most scenarios, the distance helped her side as it would usually mean for most a kick and a half or two kicks to get back to that point, but was still an area for her to improve. Of course the reality now is others have the chance to show their wares, but she has the runs in the bank to-date and won’t worry clubs.

Last month:

Unfortunately McLay has been out of action since injuring her shoulder for the National Academy against the All-Stars and will sit out the rest of the season. Prior to her injury, McLay got two games in for the Cannons, averaging 25.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 5.0 clearances and 5.2 inside 50s.

DYNAMIC TALENT

Welsh entered the year as a genuine utility, playing across all three lines over the last few seasons and long regarded as one of the more natural players in this year’s draft crop. At her best she is in the Top 10 mix joining her Suns Academy teammates, and has too much talent to be much further behind. Over the course of the last three Talent Leagues where she has played 11 games, Welsh has booted 25 goals from 14.2 disposals and laid 4.5 tackles in that time. She also got the opportunity to play for Queensland the past two seasons, first as a defender in 2023, then as a forward last year.

Strengths:

In terms of forward craft, few are better with Welsh’s ability to pull off a variety of kicks from drop punts to bananas to checksides and dribblers, all often in display within a game. She kicks some highlight reel goals when inside 50, and then can work up the ground with great aggression and an enormous work rate that allows her to pump the ball forward. She applies great defensive pressure as well which allows her to have a nice offensive and defensive balance.

Question marks?

Like a lot of great forwards, Welsh can tend to go for the miraculous when there are higher percentage plays available, which is an area that will come with each new team she adapts to. Getting more precise with her kicking is another element she is working on, and looking to break the lines a bit more when up the field.

Last month:

With her National Academy teammates mostly out – and all out for the final game win over the Northern Knights – Welsh had to stand up, and she did that. The Suns Academy member booted nine goals across her four games, also averaging 13.0 disposals and 4.3 tackles, spending more time up the ground in the later matches once Bronte Parker also went down with injury and Davies missed due to suspension.

>> Feature: Alannah Welsh

ATHLETIC STAR

Barwin is the second Tasmanian on our list, having also represented the National Academy this year. Bursting onto the scene as a bottom-ager in 2024, Barwin had a year to remember where she produced some eye-catching performances with her array of athletic traits and footy smarts going forward. While her best home is inside 50, Barwin has shown she can play through midfield and be a point of difference as she evades would be tacklers and drives the ball forward. The Tasmanian also got to represent the Allies in 2024.

Strengths:

Without a doubt, Barwin’s athletic profile is what stands out in her game, with the balance of speed, agility and endurance making the one of the best all-round athletes. Even for her size, Barwin can jump and compete in the air, then scrap at ground level and go in hard to wrench the ball from opposition clutches. Her forward craft and defensive pressure are other big ticks in her game.

Question marks?

Barwin’s kicking precision and composure with ball in hand have room to grow with the added pressure of midfield congestion often forcing her to rush the ball to boot. She can be a classy finisher, but with more time and experience she will adapt further to the contested work, though expect her to be more of her preferred forward role in the future.

Last month:

Barwin has played all four of the Devils’ games, averaging 17.3 disposals, 3.8 marks, 5.0 tackles and 3.0 inside 50s, while kicking two goals in that time largely as a high half-forward with managed midfield minutes. Prior to that, she turned it on in the third term for the National Academy where she missed a few shots on goal but looked dangerous and provided fantastic run from midfield to attack in that big victory.

>> Feature: Mischa Barwin

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

If sheer football talent could be bottled and measured, there’s a fair chance Mackereth would be among the top few names in the draft crop. Her aerial presence and energy is so positive for every side she plays in, even when the game is not going her way. In the years leading up to 2025, Mackereth was regarded as one of the most promising prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft, earning All-Australian honours at both Under 16s and Under 18s level, predominantly as a tall forward, but also playing off a wing at the former. At the same time, she had a great bottom-age campaign for Glenelg as the minor premiers reached a preliminary final.

Strengths:

Mackereth is an aerial specialist who is so good in the air and then can go back and slot goals from set shots relatively consistently. She showed throughout the SANFLW season last year and National Championships that her impact on the scoreboard is enormous, and she has the athleticism to breakaway on the lead and leave her opponent in the dust. Not to mention her infectious energy each time anyone – let alone herself – kicks a goal which gives her side a boost. All things being equal, her weapons are as impressive as most.

Question marks?

Her work rate and defensive running are two main question marks that stand out in her profile, with the Glenelg forward not having as much of an impact in 2025 as she did in 2024 given Glenelg has has less fluid inside 50 entries. When the game is on her terms – ie on the lead or in an aerial contest – Mackereth will win it nine times out of 10, but she has minimal impact when the game is not on terms and is more of a contested scrap.

Last month:

Mackereth had an impressive day out for the National Academy last month with three majors in a big win over the All-Stars, but has really struggled for the Bays in 2025, with just one goal in eight games and averaging 6.8 disposals and 1.4 marks per match at SANFLW level. She is far better than her formline suggests, and there will be a game where it all clicks again and she completely dominates a match.

>> Feature: Eloise Mackereth

RUCK AND ROLL

Making it three Eastern Ranges players in our Power Rankings, Bamford has been the standout pure ruck thus far in 2025, and it is no surprise considering her past 18 months. Playing 15 games for Eastern Ranges last season, Bamford showed promising signs in the middle, finding her fair share of the ball and getting around the ground as well. Raw but talented, Bamford played all three games for Vic Metro as a bottom-ager, averaging 11.3 disposals, 16.3 hitouts and 4.0 tackles in a successful campaign for the ‘Big V’.

Strengths:

Bamford’s ruck craft is her number one strength, which is obviously vital to the role she plays, but in addition to that, her follow-up work is really good at ground level, applying great defensive pressure for a tall and clean hands once she has it. Her vision around the stoppage and general footy IQ in congestion are also positives in her game, with her development as a rotating tall forward also making strides.

Question marks?

The main question mark for Bamford is with her marking, given a lot of her peers are more comfortable clunking grabs, particularly in contested situations. If she can bring the ball to ground, then the Ranges tall can flourish, but being able to consistently hold those grabs is an area to improve. Also her kicking could be more precise at times, though her use by foot is usually advantageous to her side.

Last month:

Bamford has shown signs she is more than capable as a forward, booting multiple goals twice in the past four weeks. She has no trouble finding the ball, picking up 20-plus disposals on three occasions, while having a standout performance for Vic Metro in the trial game on Sunday.

>> Feature: Josephine Bamford