OVER the next four days, Rookie Me Central will take a look at all the Victorian Country and Metro players who were named in the 2022 Victorian State Hub ahead of the 2022 season. Both top-age (2022 AFL and AFLW Draft-eligible) and bottom-age (2023 AFL and AFLW Draft-eligible) have been included, and we’ll run through a few to watch as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>> 2022 Vic Country Boys Hub: Full List<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The fastest player in the AFL Women’s draft crop, Clarke has proven to be capable of playing forward, back or midfield, and is the ultimate utility. Having grown a couple of extra centimetres over the course of last season, Clarke is just as clever in the air, but is most damaging once the ball hits the ground, easily able to breakaway from her opponents and get goalside to impact the scoreboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> AMBER CLARKE PROFILE & NEWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The versatile Di Donato really had a breakout season in 2021 after showing some promising signs in the cut-short 2020 year. Initially playing as a defender, then spending time forward and ultimately slotting into the midfield, Di Donato is a nice height to be able to impact wherever she plays. Capable to winning plenty of the ball and hitting the scoreboard on the run from long-range, she has a lot of upside heading into her top-age year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> OCTAVIA DI DONATO PROFILE & NEWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost born a complete year apart to Clarke, yet still in the same draft-eligible season, Eardley started her career as a key position defender, but showed her forward nous last season as well. The standout tall for Vic Country in next year’s draft, Eardley reads the ball well in flight, can intercept consistently, and also have the composure to be thrown up either end at a minute’s notice. Eardley gained great experience for Country’s Under 19s side this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> MACKENZIE EARDLEY PROFILE & NEWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone loves a match-winner and that is exactly what the exciting, yet unpredictable Scott can do. The leading goalkicker at the AFLW Under 19 Championships this year, Scott can turn a game off her own boot, stand up when the chips are down, and kick goals in quick succession. Her goal nous, strength overhead and ability to hit the scoreboard is outstanding. Clean up consistency in front of goal and she is hard to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> PAIGE SCOTT PROFILE & NEWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet another Stingrays star, the inside midfielder missed a little bit of footy last year due to injury, but when she was on the park she was able to be key around the stoppages. She wins the hard ball, can get out of traffic, and is incredibly strong at ground level. She was able to play through the entire Under 19 Championships, and can go forward and hit the scoreboard as well. A fierce tackler with a nice balance between offence and defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> EMILY SHEPHERD PROFILE & NEWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n With a penetrative kick few could even coming close to emulating, the inside midfielder has a clear trademark of winning the ball in close, bursting away and then pumping the ball long inside 50. Whilst at times her radar can be off, her technique and ability to get distance is impressive, and she can play across multiple positions. One who was tested in defence at the championships to add strings to her bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> KEELEY SKEPPER PROFILE & NEWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Amber Clarke<\/a> (Dandenong Stingrays | 171cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Octavia Di Donato<\/a> (Bendigo Pioneers | 172cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yasmin Duursma<\/a> (Gippsland Power | 174cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mackenzie Eardley<\/a> (Dandenong Stingrays | 180cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madison Gray<\/a> (Murray Bushrangers | 167cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lila Keck<\/a> (Bendigo Pioneers | 160cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bianca Lynne<\/a> (Dandenong Stingrays | 174cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bryde O’Rourke<\/a> (Bendigo Pioneers | 172cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Charley Ryan<\/a> (Dandenong Stingrays | 172cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paige Scott<\/a> (GWV Rebels | 166cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kalani Scoullar<\/a> (GWV Rebels | 190cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily Shepherd<\/a> (Dandenong Stingrays | 163cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Charlotte Simpson<\/a> (Geelong Falcons | 167cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeley Skepper<\/a> (Murray Bushrangers | 163cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brooke Smith<\/a> (Dandenong Stingrays | 169cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mia Van Dyke<\/a> (Geelong Falcons | 176cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashleigh Van Loon<\/a> (Geelong Falcons | 169cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tegan Williams<\/a> (Bendigo Pioneers | 176cm)<\/p>\n\n\n\nONES TO WATCH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Amber Clarke
22\/12\/2004 | 171cm | Medium Utility
Dandenong Stingrays\/Vic Country<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOctavia Di Donato
23\/02\/2004 | 172cm | Tall Utility
Bendigo Pioneers\/Vic Country<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMackenzie Eardley
13\/01\/2004 | 180cm | Key Position Utility
Dandenong Stingrays<\/strong>\/Vic Country<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPaige Scott
25\/06\/2004 | 166cm | Medium Forward
GWV Rebels\/Vic Country<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEmily Shepherd
05\/04\/2004 | 164cm | Inside Midfielder
Dandenong Stingrays\/Vic Country<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nKeeley Skepper
15\/03\/2004 | 163cm | Inside Midfielder
Murray Bushrangers\/Vic Country<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nVICTORIA COUNTRY GIRLS<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n