2024 AFLW Draft Player Profiles including highlights

[Callipygian]

There will be an updated listed posted next week once through the boys draft.

I'll also be publishing a lot more on here later in the week once through said boys draft. All profiles are on the site (as well as highlights) but I'll be putting them all here too.

?? Any updates? Looking forward to more news.

Has anyone got any trade or draft news? Trade period starts this coming Thursday! And only 16 days until the draft.

This article has the main trade news I've come across - but it's three weeks old: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1253815/big-names-headline-trade-talks-ahead-of-2024-period.

 

[Vacuous Space]

Suns plot shock move to land heart-and-soul Dee

Lily Mithen is shaping as a major trade target for Gold Coast, with Melbourne keen to move up the draft order

www.afl.com.au

Under AFLW rules, a side must have a pick within 18 selections of where a bid is placed to match it and gain access to their Academy and/or father-daughter product.

We can probably count this as official confirmation that the Academy will work, as P4L had said, the same as FD.

I'm surprised GC are looking at moving out of 2. I'd have thought that it would be unlikely that Collingwood would bid on Harris at pick 1. That would leave GC free to pick whichever of Centra and Fish Collingwood don't take at two. They then get Harris at their next pick.

Worst case scenario, Collingwood bids on Harris and they then have the option of either matching Harris or taking their favourite out of Centra and Fish. I guess they'd rather have a guarantee of Harris and Mithen than risk only getting one of them.

Pick two in this draft feels like massive overs for Mithen, though, akin to the GC men trading pick 2 for Lachie Weller back in 2017. Obviously, it's dependant on what other picks are included. Given the hype levels around Centra and Fish, it feels like Melbourne are repeating the dumb luck that landed them Bannan in 2020.

 

[Callipygian]

Suns plot shock move to land heart-and-soul Dee

Lily Mithen is shaping as a major trade target for Gold Coast, with Melbourne keen to move up the draft order

www.afl.com.au

We can probably count this as official confirmation that the Academy will work, as P4L had said, the same as FD.

I'm surprised GC are looking at moving out of 2. I'd have thought that it would be unlikely that Collingwood would bid on Harris at pick 1. That would leave GC free to pick whichever of Centra and Fish Collingwood don't take at two. They then get Harris at their next pick.

Worst case scenario, Collingwood bids on Harris and they then have the option of either matching Harris or taking their favourite out of Centra and Fish. I guess they'd rather have a guarantee of Harris and Mithen than risk only getting one of them.

Pick two in this draft feels like massive overs for Mithen, though, akin to the GC men trading pick 2 for Lachie Weller back in 2017. Obviously, it's dependant on what other picks are included. Given the hype levels around Centra and Fish, it feels like Melbourne are repeating the dumb luck that landed them Bannan in 2020.

I can think of two reasons Gold Coast might do this:

1. It ensures they can get both their first rounders (Harris and Harrington) as well as Mithen. This would be based on Melbourned sending back their first rounder in return for pick 2. Possibly there'd be an exchange of later swaps also. Thus Melbourne get Mithen by trade, use Melbourne's first rounder to match Harris and then their own 2nd rounder to match Harrington.

2. If they don't trade out pick 2 and they select, say, Fish, then Harris gets bid on next, could Gold Coast's pick get pushed too far back by other bid matches for it to remain within 18 picks of the Harris bid. Actually, scratch that: I think I can answer my own question. Gold Coast's 2nd rounder might be pushed back by the time that it is reached, but it won't be pushed back at the time they're matching the bid - so I don't think they do have concerns on that front.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

?? Any updates? Looking forward to more news.

Has anyone got any trade or draft news? Trade period starts this coming Thursday! And only 16 days until the draft.

This article has the main trade news I've come across - but it's three weeks old: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1253815/big-names-headline-trade-talks-ahead-of-2024-period.

Yeah my rankings were here: (Full Top 50)

AFLW Draft Power Rankings: November 2024

The Rookie Me Central 2024 AFLW Draft Power Rankings for November are in, and what a tricky exercise given the evenness of the draft crop.

central.rookieme.com

Top 30

1 Havana Harris (GC)
2 Ash Centra
3 Zippy Fish
4 India Rasheed
5 Molly O'Hehir
6 Lou Painter
7 Sara Howley
8 Emma McDonald
9 Sophie McKay (Carlton f/d)
10 Sierra Grieves
11 Poppy Scholz
12 Elli Symonds
13 Charlotte Riggs
14 Sienna Tallariti
15 Georgia McKee
16 Tara Harrington (GC)
17 Grace Belloni
18 Jasmine Evans
19 Georgie Brisbane
20 Sarah Poustie
21 Mia Salisbury (GC)
22 Claire Mahony
23 Mackenzie Williams
24 Lily Paterson
25 Grace Baba
26 Grace Martin
27 Jemma Reynolds
28 Ash Patton
29 Claudia Wright
30 Violet Patterson (Collingwood f/d)

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Molly O'Hehir

DOB: 24/05/2006
Height: 179cm
Position: Midfielder/Defender (can play other roles)
Club: South Fremantle
State: Western Australia

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Competitiveness
• Explosive speed
• Aerial ability
• Kicking
• Versatility
• Offensive-defensive balance
• Leadership

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Opposite foot
• Tackling technique

PROFILE:

Molly O'Hehir does not get the plaudits that she deserves in the wider public, largely due to the fact of coming through the draft pathway with the equally supremely talented Zippy Fish. While Fish deservedly so gets the credit for her outstanding ability, O'Hehir is not far behind at all, and right up there in terms of the top five players in this year's AFLW Draft.

In fact, in the Rookie Me Central Power Rankings, O'Hehir came in at fifth, just two spots behind Fish and given her athletic profile and enormous potential, could become anything. Her versatility speaks to that, with O'Hehir herself enjoying centre half-back, though has also loved playing through the midfield. Throw in her experience off a wing, and half-forward, and there is not much O'Hehir cannot do.

Boasting one of the most well-rounded profiles, O'Hehir is tough and competitive, and while not as physically developed as some inside midfielders, it does not impact her at all. Her tackling is frantic and desperate as she wills to win the ball back for her side. While her technique at times can be overzealous - she gave away the second most free kicks at the national carnival and most of any Draft Combine invitee - coaches love the way she goes about it.

That competitive nature and natural leadership that oozes from the South Fremantle prospect is what makes her such a fantastic talent. She has elements that cannot be taught, and alongside her athletic profile, is one who at the elite level, can take her game to another level.

Speaking of that athletic profile, O'Hehir is explosive with a fantastic top speed, and given her 179cm height, can glide around the ground. Her endurance is also among the best in the draft crop, with O'Hehir able to run all day and she clocked a 7:35 2km time trial at the AFLW National Draft Combine. That mix, along with her agility and vertical jump makes her such a well-balanced athlete.

Turning to her footballing nous, and O'Hehir is a fluent kick of the ball. Her efficiency at the national carnival was admittedly not as high as she is capable of, but she is usually such a lovely ball user by hand or foot. She can win it on the inside or outside and spot up a target well. For Western Australia, she often started off half-back and rolled into the midfield, mostly utilised for her run and carry.

What stands out about O'Hehir's ball-winning is her ability to win it at ground level, in the air, or via handball receive. Those areas are where he competitiveness, aerial ability and athleticism and smarts respectively all come into play. She is still developing her opposite left side, but has made it a focus of her game, while being able to pinpoint passes going forward.

Where O'Hehir stands at the elite level in terms of positioning is anyone's guess. It seems she would most likely start off half-back and progress to a wing, but could easily play off a forward flank as well. A Fremantle fan, O'Hehir loves her football and is passionate about taking it as far as she can. No doubt that starts in December's draft where she will likely hear her name off the board early.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

India Rasheed

DOB: 29/11/2006
Height: 173cm
Position: Tall Forward/Midfielder
Club: Sturt
State: South Australia

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Left-foot kicking
• Footy IQ
• Clean hands
• Clearance work
• Leadership
• Forward craft
• Consistency

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Contested marking
• Opposite foot

PROFILE:

India Rasheed is best known for her damaging left boot, and any time she can wheel around onto it she will take full advantage. The South Australian young gun is very comfortable to look up and hit targets consistently inside 50, and would be a brilliant distributor from half-forward for any side. She is the type of ball user that forwards would love, as Rasheed herself comes from being a forward at the Double Blues and knows exactly the type of delivery she would be after.

Her game also consists of a nice balance of aerial prowess and ground level work, with her clean hands above her head as well as at ground level really standing out in whatever role she plays. While not as strong in a one-on-one contested marking situation, Rasheed has the ability through her smarts to breakaway on the lead, gain separation and take the ball at the highest point making life difficult for her opponent.

While not explosive, Rasheed moves well and can react quickly once a ball is brought to ground. She rarely wastes a touch, and even when under pressure will generally put the ball into advantageous positions. When moving into the midfield, Rasheed showed she has the stoppage craft and clearance work to have an impact, really taking control and having some massive games throughout 2024 to emphasise that fact.

Across the course of the SANFLW season, Rasheed had six games of five or more clearances, including an absolute stat-stuffing effort of 34 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles, eight clearances, nine inside 50s and two goals in a heartbreaking seven-point loss to Central District. While that was one of her two best performance of the year, Rasheed's consistency was outstanding and she held up brilliantly across this year.

In 2024, Rasheed recorded at least 20 disposals in every game after Round 1 in the SANFLW, including two games of 30-plus disposals, with the other being a season-high 36 touches, 11 marks, eight tackles, four clearances, eight inside 50s and three goals in a five-goal victory over the Bulldogs. In other words, the 2023 premiers had some sleepless nights worrying about Rasheed's impact.

Looking at Rasheed's improvements, her contested marking and strength one-on-one is definitely one that can further develop, and an area she identified as a way to grow as a player. However also getting more comfortable on her right side will be another way to balance out her abilities as her left foot is so potent, but the smarter and more aware players at AFLW level will be onto that fact to try and force her onto her right.

However as a whole, Rasheed is right up there with the top players in this year's AFLW Draft, having consistently performed against past and present AFLW players and very good state leaguers in the SANFLW. Her leadership - which included a vice-captaincy in the state program this year - is also evident on the field with the forward-midfielder very vocal and driven. They say you can be your own harshest critic and speaking to her, Rasheed is as driven and determined to get better as anyone else in the draft pool, so will be a human highlight reel waiting to happen.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Lou Painter

DOB: 23/02/2006
Height: 174cm
Position: Tall Utility (primarily midfielder)
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
State: Vic Country

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Power
• Kick penetration
• Inside game
• Versatility
• Clean hands
• Defensive pressure
• Marking

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Goalkicking accuracy
• Speed

PROFILE:

Lou Painter is a prototype big-bodied inside midfielder whose game is underpinned by her sheer power and contested work around the coalface. One of the strongest midfielders available, Painter does not have the speed of others, but her power and strength through her legs allows her to break tackles and feed off the ball to free teammates.

Her clean hands on the inside allow her the grace of being a one-touch player in all conditions, and she is effective by both hand or foot, the latter largely thanks to her penetrating kick. A dual-sided player as well, while Painter naturally goes off her right, is comfortable enough on her left if pushed that way, adding to her points of difference compared to a lot of other players.

Over the journey, Painter has played on all three lines, and is regularly seen both mopping up in defence, and going forward to clunk strong marks and have opportunities on goal. Her goalkicking accuracy is another area that could improve, leaving a few chances out there, but also continually put pressure on the opposition defence with her consistent forward pressure.

Painter's tackling numbers are ridiculous for a player who wins so much of the ball, and is a truly balanced offensive and defensive talent. She can win it first or second possession around the coalface, and though she can get caught if an opponent is smart and strong enough, she will often have the nous to free her hands and get the ball away.

While her inside game is an element that truly stands out, she is certainly a player who impacts on the outside as well. She finds space, marks and takes off to thump the ball forward, and given time and space will more often than not put the pill to an advantageous position for her teammates. Even if she does miss a kick, you can guarantee Painter will be over to assist and add a plus-one to the contest.

Painter's versatility makes her all the more intriguing at AFLW level, because she is one of the few prospects who could quite literally be put on any line and impact. She showed that at the Under 16 Championships, and continues to have a profound impact at Under 18s level too. An experienced player in both weaker and quality teams, Painter always maintains a high level of performance, and will make an immediate impact in one way or another at the next level.

Her leadership is an element that came a long way too in 2024, co-captaining the Bendigo Pioneers and leading by example. A consummate professional who is well spoken and driven, Painter wants to be the best player she can be, and has an underlying fierce competitive nature that will help her achieve any goal she sets.

At 174cm, Painter is a good size and can compete against talls or smalls one-on-one, and even if she does not mark it, will be too clean at ground level for most opponents. Working her way through any situation, the promising prospect will leave no stone unturned along the journey.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Sara Howley

DOB: 29/01/2006
Height: 173cm
Position: Midfielder
Club: Geelong Falcons
State: Vic Country

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Explosive speed
• Run-and-carry
• Production
• Footy IQ
• Consistency
• Kicking
• Offensive impact

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Defensive pressure
• Strength

PROFILE:

It is difficult to know where to start when it comes to Sara Howley and her strengths. From an athleticism perspective, Howley is explosively quick, while also having great awareness to evade opponents when in full flight. Though she does not test as well as someone with her explosive speed should, it goes to show that Howley gets up to top speed when already in motion rather than at a standing start over the first few metres.

Once she gets going, she is gone, and is clearly one of the quickest players in the draft crop, with her ability to transition from defence to offence in the blink of an eye - usually winning multiple possessions in the process - is sensational. A predominant second possession winner, Howley's gamestyle went to another level at the national carnival.

Though her dominant means of winning possession is via handball receives - as shown through the Coates Talent League Girls where she won 47.2 per cent of her possessions via the method and 34.7 per cent via groundballs - that all changed when she donned the 'Big V'. In a star-studded midfield, Howley played a huge team role often winning a fair chunk of first-possession football and getting more in at the coalface.

Her contested possession rate rose from 42.2 for the Falcons, to 55.8 per cent for Vic Country. Along with that, her groundballs and handball receive rates switched, instead winning 41.9 per cent of her possessions off the deck, and just 33.7 per cent by hand. While it might seem like a lot of numbers to comprehend, essentially, Howley won similar amount of touches at both levels, but showed her first-possession game at the national championships.

It helps that the talented midfielder is a smart footballer who uses the ball well. She can kick the ball long, but is predominantly one to chip kick on short, sharp angles and prioritise ball retention. She then buys time to run forward, receive it back then drive the ball long or release a teammate by hand after drawing an opponent.

Her offensive output is sensational, and even her defensive running - which at times was a little hit and miss over the last 18 months - improved throughout her top-age season. Howley's main areas of improvement lie in her strength and defensive pressure still, with her tackling numbers very solid across the board, but her intent can still got to another level, which will also help with greater strength, especially against bigger-bodied AFLW players.

As a whole, for production and consistency, few have been able to accomplish what Howley has over the past three seasons, and particularly two. Despite setting a high bar for herself off a glittering bottom-age campaign, Howley went to another level particularly in her gamestyle and looms as a good choice for a club in the Top 10.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Emma McDonald

DOB: 18/04/2006
Height: 179cm
Position: Key Forward
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
State: Vic Metro

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Contested marking
• Athleticism
• Competitiveness
• Forward craft
• Ground balls
• Follow-up work

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Set shot consistency
• Composure

PROFILE:

There is a reason Emma McDonald is so highly touted, and her traits particularly inside 50 standout at whatever level she plays. Despite being supremely talented, the Oakleigh and Vic Metro forward is team-oriented and has quite a few more strings to her bow than a more traditional marking player who can consistently hit the scoreboard.

Speaking of said marking, very few have safer hands than McDonald, who averaged 1.8 contested marks per game through the Coates Talent League Girls competition. That figure came from a total marks average of 5.1, where she was near unstoppable once she got her hands to the highest point. Her reliability with her marking meant that she got plenty of chances to hit the scoreboard, or find teammates in the clear.

Though her aerial work is her dominant element, McDonald's groundlevel work is superb for a tall, and a real reason why she is a point of difference compared to many others. Once the ball hits the deck, the 180cm forward is quick to swoop, scooping up the pill quickly and firing out to a teammate or knocking it on for her side's advantage.

It is hard to believe that the player who averaged five marks from 15 touches is such a good groundlevel player, but McDonald won a ridiculous 64.3 per cent of her ball gets from a groundball situation be it loose or hard. While not one to run with the ball too often, she does use overlap handballs or soccers off the deck to space if she sees a teammate in a goalscoring position.

McDonald's competitiveness allows her to keep the ball moving at all costs and give her team the best chance at scoring. Her forward craft and work in the air and at ground level makes her a really complete forward and one who can be potent in a multitude of ways. Then there is when she goes back, and while not as efficient as when forward, McDonald is still a strong intercept mark and can clunk grabs just like when inside 50.

The main knock on McDonald's game is her set shot consistency. For a forward who gets so many chances - and still kicks a lot of goals - she is prone to spraying or pulling the set shot. Similar to many key forwards over the years, McDonald is actually better from a longer range where she can kick through the ball, as close range results in more variance by trying to stab at it or overthink it.

It's not a major worry as she still piles up the goals, but will be an element for her to further develop, and get into a routine where it is consistent whatever distance. That also lends itself to her composure at times, where she can be too unselfish and look to pass off the ball inside 50 but her need to pass it off can cause the odd turnover.

In saying that, McDonald is generally a reliable field kick, particularly when further up the ground and puts the ball where her teammates need it. Even if not precise, it will go to a spot that enables a forward to win it and have an opportunity on goal. Naturally, McDonald will follow-up to involve herself in the next passage as well if required.

Overall, McDonald's strengths far outweigh any areas of improvement, with the latter more so rounding out her game. Athletically she is so well balanced too, which adds to her overall profile. What she offers inside 50 even outside her bread and butter marking is quite rare for a player of her size, and that is why she is the standout key forward in the draft.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Poppy Scholz

DOB: 31/12/2006
Height: 179cm
Position: Tall Utility
Club: Glenelg
State: South Australia

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Intercept marking
• Athleticism
• Aerial ability
• Versatility
• Kicking
• Footy IQ

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Ground balls
• Reading the play

PROFILE:

Poppy Scholz stands at 179cm, so a little shorter than her sister, but has far greater versatility having played off half-back, up forward, on a wing or even through the ruck. Her mobility allows Scholz to play against tall and small players, with her athleticism the main part of her game.

She leaps incredibly high, can clunk grabs with ease, and even if the ball hits the deck, has the speed for a tall that enables her to win it and take off. She backs herself more often than not, and while not what you would call explosive like a Havana Harris, Scholz is still very quick for a player of her size, and in terms of her transitional running, gets involved frequently.

Her aerial ability which translates both down back and up forward - as well as her natural jump where she can compete in the ruck despite usually being a few centimetres shorter than her opponent - is where she shines. However while being athletic is the feature of her game, it is far from her only strength.

Scholz uses the ball well by hand or foot and is a lovely user. While some talls might be a little bit clunky in their action, the Glenelg top-ager is smooth and looks natural when disposing of it, particularly over long distances where she can consistently hit targets.

Furthermore, Scholz's footy IQ stands out particularly with ball in hand, showing a nice combination of smarts, vision and decision making to execute consistently. It adds an extra layer to her game and allows her to impact offensively as well as defensively. Her ability to hit those riskier 45-degree kicks stands out for a player of her size.

When looking at a couple of improvements, Scholz could further develop her work at ground level. Such a dominant aerial player, she can improve her work below her knees even though she already has the mobility. It was a key area of improvement identified by Scholz early in the year, and she can continue to work on it over the off-season and into the new year.

Another area Scholz has targeted as a way of building her game is reading the play more effectively from defence. She is able to clunk the ball consistently and then use it well once she has it, but is still getting used to getting into the right spots to do it consistently particularly when looking to nullify an opponent at the same time.

Going forward, Scholz will only get better and learn plenty of tricks to help her be more effective in a range of areas. Given her smarts and athleticism already, she is looming as one who will be a player to watch at the elite level in whatever position she plays.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Elli Symonds

DOB: 07/10/2006
Height: 178cm
Position: Ruck/Forward
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
State: Vic Country

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Athleticism
• Speed
• Versatility
• Strength
• Contested work
• Groundballs
• Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Kicking precision
• Endurance

PROFILE:

If there was one word to describe Elli Symonds, it would definitely be athletic. The 178cm talent might not have completed testing in the preseason or at the National AFLW Draft Combine, but clubs do not need any numbers on a spreadsheet to tell she can run and jump. The Stingrays talent leaps high and can match it with taller opponents both in the ruck and in marking situations, while also able to beat them at ground level with strength and clean hands.

Once the ball does hit the deck, few talls are as more efficient and strong over the ball as Symonds, who will scrap to win a hardball and dish off a touch to a teammate on the outside. Even if not counted as a disposal, Symonds has the know how to just tap the ball to space for a teammate to run onto and take advantage of. In other words, she is just as capable below her knees as in the air, making her a two-way threat.

Once she has the ball, Symonds can explode away from the stoppage and bomb the ball forward with great penetration. Her precision definitely needs work and is her main area from a footballing perspective that has improvement to come. But given the metres she takes, followed by the distance she creates with her kick, she can very easily be a 70m player with each disposal.

Along with her kicking precision, her endurance is another understandable area to improve, having spent so much time on the sidelines, the Vic Country tall has not quite had the luxury of continuity in training. Once in an elite program, this is something that will sort itself out, but even to start her career, Symonds can play as a tall forward and second ruck, before progressing to a midfield role in the future.

Despite being a Carlton supporter, Symonds enjoys watching the way Gold Coast and Geelong play, and looks up to Charlie Rowbottom as a player who she can compare her future gamestyle to. Given her strength over the ball and power out of a stoppage, it is easy to see why. While perhaps not having the extended time in the game that Rowbottom had as a junior, she has the extra leap and versatility to be able to play a multitude of positions.

With all that comes evident upside. Considering she has missed so much time this year, Symonds did not miss a beat once she returned. Coming in she played a key role and had a number of challenging matches in terms of conditions and opponents, but took it all in her stride. A popular player with teammates, Symonds will have no problems fitting into the top level and given what she could become with a clean run and a big preseason, it is exciting for whichever team is able to select her in next month's AFLW Draft.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Charlotte Riggs

DOB: 02/11/2006
Height: 179cm
Position: Key Position Utility (predominantly half-back)
Club: Central District
State: South Australia

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Vertical leap
• Aerial ability
• Versatility
• Intercept marking
• Reading the play
• Competitiveness

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Kicking precision
• Decision making

PROFILE:

Charlotte Riggs' biggest weapon is her aerial prowess. She has a massive vertical leap, strong hands and nice smarts when it comes to marking contests that allow her to clunk mark after mark, even contested grabs against bigger bodies. She freely admits that at times her coaches would like her to "spoil more" but Riggs has some of the safest hands going around.

She flys high and is a human highlight reel waiting to happen. Whether it is an intercept mark, towering grab in attack, or even taking a specky on the wing from a long kick down the line, Riggs is not afraid to attempt for a Mark of the Year contender.

Once the ball hits the ground, she competes well enough and is of course really mobile for her size. Measuring in at 179cm at the recent National Draft Combine, her leap allows her to play more like a mid-180cm talent and she has shown that at centre bounces she can have an impact through the ruck with swift palmdowns or punches to space.

Her follow-up work is also usually very good, with her competitiveness and aggression coming to the fore. She might not have off the charts tackle numbers, but she still gets her hands dirty and applies pressure, which allows her teammates to have more time and space around them with Riggs willing to put her body on the line.

When up forward she can provide strong leads, and while not as influential as when down back, is still more than capable of being a target inside 50. Her versatility really makes her a valuable player, and be it the club she supports in Adelaide Crows, or another team, she will find a home wherever they need her at the elite level.

In terms of her improvements, her kicking precision and decision making are the two that could develop further. It feels they have come along and due to her powerful, long kick, she can gain advantage for her team when clearing the ball from danger. With time and space and an obvious option, Riggs has no problems hitting targets, with more the case when under pressure she can rush or just thump it long to buy the defence time.

While these areas of improvement are ones that will get better at the elite level, they are elements Riggs has been dilligent in working on and getting more confident at hitting those targets over medium and long distances. Her best work is when she can intercept, play on and see a teammate running to space and use her kick to find them on a wing or half-forward where the next kick can be a score involvement.

As a whole, Riggs has a great athletic base that clubs will love and it is something that is so hard to replicate for many others her size. She can tidy up some areas of her game, but as a whole she ticks a lot of boxes and is among the best key position players in this year's AFLW Draft.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Sienna Tallariti

DOB: 10/07/2006
Height: 169cm
Position: Tall Defender
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
State: Vic Metro

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Reading the play
• Intercept marking
• Kicking
• Footy IQ
• Leadership
• Composure
• Big game player

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Endurance
• Speed

PROFILE:

It goes without saying Tallariti is a big game player. The Chargers skipper steps up when it counts and was able to deliver on grand final day not once, but twice. Her composure and footy IQ behind the ball is incredible, and she reads the play like a book. All of those elements make her hard to quell as she can still nullify an opponent while providing interceptions and drive from defence to transition it into attack.

Funnily enough for a player who creates so much rebounds, Tallariti is not overly quick, nor is she an endurance runner. Both areas are elements for her to work on, though she has developed them throughout the course of the season. Still needing to further improve them, particularly the endurance element, the Chargers skipper always plays to her strengths and rarely rushes or looks fazed by opposition pressure.

With ball in hand, Tallariti uses it well be it hand or foot, with a predominant kicking preference as you would expect from a defender. She backs her skills to hit targets over multiple distances, and is one of the most reliable users you will find coming out of the back half. She can be under pressure and just weight her kicks perfectly from defence to find targets further afield.

When unable to use the ball by foot - which she can still do so on her left comfortably as she can powerfully on her right - she has no qualms by starting an overlap handball chain to transition the play from defence into offence. Having also had roles as a forward and midfielder, Tallariti can play further afield if a certain situation demands it, though her traits lead her to be that perfect half-back player who also takes kickouts for her side.

From a ball-winning perspective, Tallariti is often strongly placed in the air, but is comfortable at ground level, taking it cleanly and summing up the situation quickly. Quite often if she needs to win it in a congested situation, she can use her smarts to spin out of trouble or fire out a lightning handball or clearing kick down the ground.

At Coates Talent League Girls level, Tallariti ran at 69.2 per cent by foot and 73.2 per cent overall disposal efficiency. Despite being such a strong aerial player, the Chargers skipper won a massive 57.1 per cent of her possessions in groundball situations, while also running at a 54.7 per cent contested rate. It shows that despite being over under immense pressure, she could win the ball cleanly and dispose of it effectively.

While many slightly undersized defenders without explosive speed or athleticism might find it more difficult to catch the eye, that could not be further from the truth for Tallariti. She plays to her strengths, highlights them in the way that she goes about her football, and minimises her deficiencies in order to play her role to a t. Going forward it will be easy for her to translate her traits to the elite level given her maturity and professionalism.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Georgia McKee

DOB: 24/04/2006
Height: 160cm
Position: Small Forward
Club: Central District
State: South Australia

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Goal sense
• X-Factor
• Scoreboard impact
• Forward craft
• Dual-sided
• Footy IQ

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Conditioning
• Consistency

PROFILE:

If you're talking natural footballing ability, then Georgia McKee is one of the best players in the AFLW Draft. Her work inside 50 including her forward craft, goal sense and footy IQ makes her so damaging at ground level. She can take a mark, but does her best work once the ball is on the deck, crumbing and sidestepping opponents with ease.

Her work inside 50 is made all the more impressive - and difficult if you're the defender - by McKee's ability to use both feet. She is one of the best non-preferred ball users in the draft crop, not only able to hit passes off her left, but kick ridiculous goals from the boundary off her non-preferred and look entirely natural doing so.

It is an element in her game that is far superior to just about anyone else in the draft crop, and the best version of McKee is right up there with the best players in this draft crop. The main question mark is whether or not that best version will be there consistently enough. She showed in the South Australian Under 18s trial game against the SANFLW Under 23s that her ability to take over a game is still there, winning MVP in that match.

Against the Allies and Western Australia, McKee took her opponents to the cleaners on more than a few occasions with her ground level work, forward craft and incredible nous to turn on a dime and put it on the right then the left and leave her defender dumbfounded about what more they could have done.

Unfortunately for McKee, her opportunities have been limited, and her recovery from the ACL has not completely brought her back to her dominant best that saw her win All-Australian honours in 2022 as a double bottom-ager, and be one of the brightest young stars in the SANFLW.

Losing that level of fitness she had pre-ACL has impacted her from spending more time through the middle, and therefore she has just been the stay-at-home forward other than a handful of games throughout the season. Once she can get her conditioning back up with a full preseason - given her delayed start to 2023 - then she has the potential to return to her damaging best.

The passionate Crows fan and member of Adelaide's Academy would love nothing more than to join the tri-colours and play alongside some of her heroes. Still needing to build up her fitness and find her best football consistently again, McKee could go anywhere from the first round to mid-draft depending on which clubs will take the plunge. Being of a smaller size, she can get outmarked one-on-one, but if she can bring the ball to ground then it will be a nightmare for any opponent trying to guard her.

If McKee can develop at the rate she was as a double bottom-ager, then she can undoubtedly be a match-winner at the elite level, and some of her tricks are just out of this world. The consistency and determination to knuckle down and take her game to the next level will be key, with the talented small more than capable of being a human highlight reel at any level she plays.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Grace Belloni

DOB: 09/09/2006
Height: 174cm
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Eastern Ranges
State: Vic Metro

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Consistency
• Aerial ability
• Clearances
• Strength
• Scoreboard impact
• Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Composure
• Speed

PROFILE:

Grace Belloni ticked a lot of boxes in 2024, developing her midfield craft substantially at a high level to be capable of a 50/50 split between on-ball and forward, or even playing full-time in one role or another. She spent the majority of her football in the middle for the Ranges - still resting forward - while for Vic Metro it was the other way around, showing a great deal of knowledge around the stoppages, but also when inside 50 losing none of her forward craft.

What stood out about Belloni's year is it just continued to get better. Her form even early on was hard to fault, and then just when it looked like peaking to be that inside ball-winning midfielder, the Eastern Ranges star was thrown forward again for Vic Metro, and she booted four goals from 23 touches and eight marks against the Allies in a best on ground effort.

Perhaps the most impressive element of that game was she shared the forward 50 with close friend and Ranges teammate Georgie Brisbane, as well as top key forward Emma McDonald and the three all combined well to kick 13 goals between them. Her scoreboard impact and consistency is something that has always been a key to Belloni's game, even as a bottom-ager.

In the air, Belloni provides a consistent marking threat, be it on leads or in pack situations. Her hands are reliable and strong, able to cop body contact and still follow-through with the mark. At ground level she competes well, can find the ball and feed it out to teammates, but perhaps the underrated aspect of her game is her contest-to-contest work.

Not only will she dig deep and win the hardball, Belloni works down the ground to win handball receives and drive the ball forward. For a naturally inside player and contested ball-winner, the Ranges top-ager would often swing around the back of teammates, receive the ball and try and keep it moving quickly in transition.

Though not overly quick, Belloni is powerful, and capable of breaking tackles thanks to her strength. She is strong both in the air and when in the contest, and can hold her arms up to get them free and fire off handballs consistently. Her work at the coalface emphasised her abilities to accumulate the ball both via first and second possessions.

In terms of her skill execution, Belloni is clean and effective by hand, while by foot, her composure could improve as well as her polish that comes with it. However if given time and space or following a mark, she can hit targets consistently and is a reliable kick going forward. That is why when inside 50 she can not only impact the scoreboard directly, but indirectly as well through teammates.

Going forward, Belloni has the potential to thrive in both roles, and it is a credit to her hard work that she has gone from a potential draft chance to a lock and likely top 30 player based off her form and consistency this season. It is hard to deny the impact she has had both through the Ranges and Vic Metro programs.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Jasmine Evans

DOB: 05/02/2006
Height: 166cm
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Club: Central District
State: South Australia

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Kicking
• Decision making
• Vision
• Outside game
• X-Factor
• Scoreboard impact
• Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Contested work
• Defensive pressure
• Athleticism

PROFILE:

The club that drafts Jasmine Evans will know exactly what they are going to get. She has some really clear defined strengths and improvements which will give her future side plenty to work with both ways. To get to know Evans' game you have to break it down into the various segments, starting with her greatest asset - her ball use.

Evans is simply an elite kick of the football. She uses it so well, and combined with her decision making can hit passes that few others in the draft crop can. The South Australian is capable of nailing those 45-degree kicks across her body and winning a couple of touches in a play to drive the ball forward. If she is within scoring range, she only needs a split second to do maximum damage.

Her outside game as a whole is brilliant. From playing on a wing, to half-forward, and even deep forward, Evans is capable of the incredible. She does not need a lot of disposals to hurt the opposition, with just 9.8 per game at SANFLW level, but she averaged more than a goal per game and clunked 3.2 marks in that time as well.

Switching from the outside to inside is where Evans has much improvement to make. Though the saying goes 'you don't park your Ferrari in the garage', the silky-skilled top-ager can still add that element to her game in order to improve. Her contested work and defensive pressure are extra strings to add to her bow with perhaps the latter a more pressing area of improvement.

Tackling was something Evans wanted to target coming into the year, and it is still a deficiency, averaging the 1.6 tackles across her 33 games at SANFLW and AFLW Under 18 Championships combined. She is definitely more of a damaging player with ball in hand than one trying to win it back off the opposition, but in an age of forward pressure, will be an element to develop.

The other main area of improvement comes in her athleticism, with her speed and agility lower than others, but it does not effect her as she has that 'slowing time' element made famous by Scott Pendlebury. Able to turn on a dime without actually moving much, Evans can wrong foot her opponents and then hit up a pass 20m away with ease.

That is why despite having those improvements, Evans is a player with enormous upside thanks to her attributes. Her skills, decision making and vision make her a high impact-per-possession player, and the fact she can go forward and hit the scoreboard even while playing off a wing is testament to her smarts in the front half.

No doubt quite a few clubs will be keen to add the class that Evans possesses, with inside ball-winning players a lot easier to find than outside stars with her level of skill and poise. With further development and in an elite environment, the ceiling for Evans is endless and she could become one of the most watchable players from this draft.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Georgie Brisbane

DOB: 13/12/2006
Height: 175cm
Position: Tall Forward
Club: Eastern Ranges
State: Vic Metro

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Aerial ability
• Athleticism
• Footy IQ
• Scoreboard impact
• Work rate
• Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Agility
• Defensive pressure

PROFILE:

Georgie Brisbane stands out as an eye-catching tall forward with plenty of tricks and traits that catch the eye. The Eastern Ranges tall possesses outstanding aerial ability, but is also not afraid to scrap at ground level to win the ball for her side. Looking to the future, the talented top-ager looms as a key player to watch.

Brisbane's aerial ability is evident each time you watch her, with some strong hands and a great competitive nature. She's a fantastic mark of the ball, and though that can often be attached to her confidence, if she does not clunk them, then she is very good at bringing the ball to ground and not getting outmarked.

A late year born player who will not turn 18 until after the AFLW Draft (December 13), Brisbane has come along in leaps and bounds since the start of the year. Over the first few games, Brisbane looked a little out of sorts, but after a rest, she returned to the form she had exhibited the year before and carried that all through the rest of the year.

At the National Championships, Brisbane booted seven goals from her three games - including five against the Allies - which saw her finish equal second on the overall table. Once the ball is on the ground, she is not afraid to put her body on the line and handball it out or tap it to the advantage of a teammate. Though she can still be a touch cleaner down there compared to her reliable aerial work, she has improved that element of her game too.

The main areas for Brisbane to improve are her defensive pressure - which admittedly has again stepped up from the past - and agility. She will apply blocks and bumps, but could lay more tackles or add ground level defensive acts to be an even more well-rounded player. Otherwise her agility is another element she has looked to work on, but her straight line speed on the lead, and particularly her endurance is very good.

Outside the athletic and aerial capabilities, Brisbane is also a smart footballer who can use the ball effectively and find targets around the ground. She ran at 73 per cent disposal efficiency at the national carnival, while setting up teammates as well as kicking goals herself. Her scoreboard impact speaks for itself, but not just individually, but as a collective forward group.

As a whole, Brisbane is a promising prospect who has a wide draft range given her clear strengths, exciting upside and composed character. Clubs will no doubt be impressed by her growth this year, both on and off the field as a leader for Eastern Ranges, and also co-captain for Vic Metro.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Sarah Poustie

DOB: 05/01/2006
Height: 171cm
Position: Midfielder/Wing
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
State: Vic Metro

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Endurance
• Contested work
• Defensive pressure
• Aerial ability
• Skills
• Clean hands
• Consistency

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Scoreboard impact
• Explosive speed

PROFILE:

Sarah Poustie's game is a great deep dive into a player who has such well-balanced traits across the board. Starting with her elite point of difference - her endurance - Poustie will just outwork any opponent and run out four quarters without too many problems. She showcased that running ability first on a wing, and then on the inside, ability to help transition the ball between defence and offence for her respective sides.

That inside-outside balance will be appealing to clubs and is a clear strength, which is underpinned by her clean hands and defensive pressure. She can win it at the coalface or in space, at groundlevel or in the air and boasts clean hands to exit congestion well. Able to matchup well against most opponents, the 171cm Poustie will use her smarts and strengths to outbody opponents and clunk good marks, but also gets a lot of her marks via dropping into the hole a kick behind play for an opponent's dump clearing kick from their defensive 50.

When at the coalface, Poustie reads the play well and can be a first or second possession winner, has a team-first attitude and is able to use the ball well by hand or foot even under pressure. She can use both sides of her body, though her right is significantly more damaging than her left which can be a little vulnerable if under pressure or off balance in the slightest.

Her tackling ability is an underrated trait, with Poustie really good at taking playes cleanly and avoiding giving away free kicks. However when the shoe is on teh other foot, Poustie is great at drawing free kicks. She does not play for them or anything like that, but drives her body to win the hard ball with such vigour that naturally opponents will take her high or land in her back trying to stop her.

Poustie's work in contested situations stands out, and as good as her running capacity is on the outside, it is hard to overlook her ability on the inside. She did it all of her top-age year and strangely enough her only two sub-20 disposal games came in teh finals series after a season-high 32-disposal effort in the first final. However despite the lower production, the Chargers star did not play badly, she just played her role as she did every other week.

While for all her abilities and strengths, there are a couple of factors that perhaps hold her back from being in that top group in this year's AFLW Draft. The main question mark centres around her athleticism, but more so her speed. She is okay, but certainly not quick, and that is arguably the one element stopping her being a clear Top 10 player.

In saying that, Poustie covers the ground so well thanks to her elite endurance and great understanding of the game. However she can get caught trying to get out of stoppages and instead plays to her strengths by feeding the ball out when under pressure or putting the pill to advantageous situations. In addition to that, her agility could also improve, though again, it is just okay without being too bad.

Finally, the other improvement Poustie can make to her game is hitting the scoreboard a little more. She still kicked three goals this season - from 15 games - in Oakleigh colours, and one for Vic Metro, but like a lot of good midfielders, impacting the scoreboard more consistently will be an element to take her game to another level.

Despite these improvements, Poustie should still be among the most sought after talents, especially given the value she could add to a club and the potential for her to be outside the top group which could limit some of the better side's access to a quality midfielder.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

All the Top 20 in my rankings are now in the thread, and I'll add some more later.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Molly O'Hehir

DOB: 24/05/2006
Height: 179cm
Position: Midfielder/Defender (can play other roles)
Club: South Fremantle
State: Western Australia

>> FULL PROFILE <<

STRENGTHS:

• Competitiveness
• Explosive speed
• Aerial ability
• Kicking
• Versatility
• Offensive-defensive balance
• Leadership

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Opposite foot
• Tackling technique

PROFILE:

Molly O'Hehir does not get the plaudits that she deserves in the wider public, largely due to the fact of coming through the draft pathway with the equally supremely talented Zippy Fish. While Fish deservedly so gets the credit for her outstanding ability, O'Hehir is not far behind at all, and right up there in terms of the top five players in this year's AFLW Draft.

In fact, in the Rookie Me Central Power Rankings, O'Hehir came in at fifth, just two spots behind Fish and given her athletic profile and enormous potential, could become anything. Her versatility speaks to that, with O'Hehir herself enjoying centre half-back, though has also loved playing through the midfield. Throw in her experience off a wing, and half-forward, and there is not much O'Hehir cannot do.

Boasting one of the most well-rounded profiles, O'Hehir is tough and competitive, and while not as physically developed as some inside midfielders, it does not impact her at all. Her tackling is frantic and desperate as she wills to win the ball back for her side. While her technique at times can be overzealous - she gave away the second most free kicks at the national carnival and most of any Draft Combine invitee - coaches love the way she goes about it.

That competitive nature and natural leadership that oozes from the South Fremantle prospect is what makes her such a fantastic talent. She has elements that cannot be taught, and alongside her athletic profile, is one who at the elite level, can take her game to another level.

Speaking of that athletic profile, O'Hehir is explosive with a fantastic top speed, and given her 179cm height, can glide around the ground. Her endurance is also among the best in the draft crop, with O'Hehir able to run all day and she clocked a 7:35 2km time trial at the AFLW National Draft Combine. That mix, along with her agility and vertical jump makes her such a well-balanced athlete.

Turning to her footballing nous, and O'Hehir is a fluent kick of the ball. Her efficiency at the national carnival was admittedly not as high as she is capable of, but she is usually such a lovely ball user by hand or foot. She can win it on the inside or outside and spot up a target well. For Western Australia, she often started off half-back and rolled into the midfield, mostly utilised for her run and carry.

What stands out about O'Hehir's ball-winning is her ability to win it at ground level, in the air, or via handball receive. Those areas are where he competitiveness, aerial ability and athleticism and smarts respectively all come into play. She is still developing her opposite left side, but has made it a focus of her game, while being able to pinpoint passes going forward.

Where O'Hehir stands at the elite level in terms of positioning is anyone's guess. It seems she would most likely start off half-back and progress to a wing, but could easily play off a forward flank as well. A Fremantle fan, O'Hehir loves her football and is passionate about taking it as far as she can. No doubt that starts in December's draft where she will likely hear her name off the board early.

Interesting to see that both Codesports and The Western Australia are reporting that some clubs rate O'Hehir ahead of Fish and might be the first Western Australian selected.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Interesting to see that both Codesports and The Western Australia are reporting that some clubs rate O'Hehir ahead of Fish and might be the first Western Australian selected.

It’s the same journo but she’s got a good finger on the pulse. Yeah it doesn’t come as a surprise to me. She has the highest upside IMO and Biggie can attest to the fact I strongly considered ranking her ahead of Fish in my Power Rankings this year. One of, if not my favourite player in the draft class.