IN the first AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships match for both sides, Vic Metro took home the chocolates against Allies, posting a 19-point win at Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield. The ‘Big V’ overcame early resistance to set up the victory, in readiness to face-off against South Australia next weekend in Werribee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we name a few players who caught the eye in the game, and perhaps could be deemed surprise packets. For the purpose of the article, these will be draft-eligible non AFLW Academy members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cleo Buttifant<\/a> (GIANTS Academy\/Allies) The biggest eye catcher from a draft perspective was GIANTS Academy defender and touch football player, Buttifant. The tall defender provided plenty of highlights with her line-breaking runs and ability to take the game on. Still a raw talent who is in her first proper season of Aussie rules football, she has come along in a short space of time an has enormous upside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strengths: <\/strong>Acceleration, athleticism, positioning Isabel Bacon<\/a> (Sandringham Dragons\/Vic Metro) One player whose form has been on the up is Dragons’ midfielder Bacon. She earned a place in the Vic Country squad and has the athletic traits that catch the eye. She has enough nous to be able to find the ball and put it into dangerous spots, it is about developing other areas of her game to add some polish and consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strengths:<\/strong> Speed, upside, decision making Kayley Kavanagh<\/a> (Calder Cannons\/Vic Metro) In what was arguably her best game of the year considering the opponent, Kavanagh was enormous through the midfield and only got stronger as the game went on. In the last term she was hitting passes lace-out going inside 50, and she has been the most influential midfielder on the ground. Not always the flashiest player, Kavanagh brings defensive pressure and consistency in spades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strengths:<\/strong> High production, Defensive pressure, clearance work Mackenzie Ford<\/a> (Tasmania Devils\/Allies) The Tasmanian talent is just a good all-round player who can fill in a number of roles both inside and outside of midfield. She attacks the contest hard, has great defensive pressure and is able to work over opponents across the course of a game. Like Kavanagh, Ford is not always the flashiest player, but she gets the job done and her performances of late saw her earn an Allies spot, and is more than making the most of her chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strengths: <\/strong>Defensive pressure, work rate, consistency
03\/05\/2005 | 174cm | Defender<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improvements: <\/strong>Fundamentals<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11\/05\/2005 | 172cm | Midfielder<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improvements: <\/strong>Consistency<\/p>\n\n\n\n
06\/07\/2005 | 169cm | Midfielder<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improvements: <\/strong>Polish<\/p>\n\n\n\n
27\/04\/2005 | 164cm | Midfielder<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improvements: <\/strong>Offensive impact<\/p>\n\n\n\n