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6. Brianna Davey (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 13/1/1995
Draft history: Marquee signing, 2016 (St Kilda, VIC)
Position: Midfielder
From the moment Brianna Davey pulled on a St Kilda Sharks guernsey in 2015, the former Matildas goalkeeper – and W-League title winner with both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City – was an immediate superstar of the game. Winning the Debbie Lee Medal in 2015 as the VWFL Premier Division’s best first year player, Davey also finished fifth in the Helen Lambert Medal (VWFL Premier Division best and fairest) count after playing only half a season. In 2016, she won the Sharks’ B&F and finished second in the VFL Women’s best and fairest, just four votes shy of winner Daisy Pearce. A bash-and-crash midfielder for the Sharks, Davey was used in defence in AFL exhibition matches for the Western Bulldogs and showcased her phenomenal rebounding skills. Whether the Blues choose to use her in the middle or down back, Davey will be an AFL Women’s standout.
19. Lauren Arnell (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 15/3/1987
Draft history: Priority pick, 2016 (Darebin, VIC)
Position: Forward
Of all the stars packed into Darebin’s famed squad, the 12-year Falcons veteran in Lauren Arnell has been somewhat of a sleeping superstar, fulfilling her role in the team while others claim accolades. However, the dangling carrot of the 2017 AFL Women’s competition seemingly spurred Arnell into bringing the best she has to offer in 2016. Across the half-forward line, Arnell makes life easy for leading forwards as arguably the most accurate kick of a footy in the game. Yet it was her match for the Bulldogs against WA in 2016 that showed her true capabilities, as Arnell racked up a game-high 27 disposals across half-back and in the midfield. Wherever the Blues decide to utilise her skills, Arnell will be a shining star in 2017.
22. Darcy Vescio (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 3/8/1993
Draft history: Marquee signing, 2016 (Darebin, VIC)
Position: Forward
Darcy Vescio is a highlight reel’s best friend, capable of pulling off the impossible from all angles. A crafty forward, Vescio is one of the best in the game at being in the right place at the right time. Though goals are her bread and butter, Vescio also excels at pressuring the opposition into mistakes and often capitalising on the opportunities created. Generally playing as the third forward for Darebin and the Bulldogs in AFL exhibition matches, the test for Vescio will be performing well consistently against each team’s best defender. If her performance in Carlton’s pre-season victory over Melbourne is any indication – kicking two goals in a best on ground performance – Vescio will relish the challenge.
45. Bianca Jakobsson (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 30/3/1993
Draft history: Pick 3, 2016 (Cranbourne, VIC)
Position: Forward
For Bianca Jakobsson to return to footy at all is a testament to her work ethic, but for her to come back from a major knee injury and reach a new level is nothing short of phenomenal. Following tearing her ACL at the 2013 National Championships in Cairns, Jakobsson spent a grand total of 22 months on the sidelines. Since joining Cranbourne in 2015, “BJ” has made a name for herself at state level and went on to be a regular goal kicker in the 2016 AFL exhibition matches. Jakobsson has lost none of her athleticism since making a full recovery from surgery, as displayed by her quick forward movement and leaping ability. The high-marking half-forward capped off a stellar year by winning Cranbourne’s best and fairest award.
47. Kate Gillespie-Jones (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 26/4/1991
Draft history: Pick 14, 2016 (Seaford, VIC)
Position: Utility
When you think raw power in the women’s game, you think Kate Gillespie-Jones. After a remarkable season in the VFL Women’s competition, Gillespie-Jones cemented herself as one of the competition’s premier utilities by standing out all over the ground, particularly in defence. With height, speed, power and skill to her name, Carlton has the luxury of playing Gillespie-Jones wherever she is required, whether it be barging through packs in the midfield, matching up on key forwards in defence or sticking pack marks in the forward half. With room to continue her development, Gillespie-Jones could well feature much higher in the Top 50 come this time next season.
49. Katie Loynes (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 23/3/1986
Draft history: Pick 110, 2016 (Diamond Creek, VIC)
Position: Midfielder
At pick 110, Katie Loynes is one of the steals of the 2016 AFL Women’s Draft. A cornerstone of the Diamond Creek midfield, Loynes has battled back from four major injuries since 2011 – including two knee surgeries – to earn selection in the AFL Women’s competition. Though she has been unable to have a consistent run since being part of the Creekers’ 2012 premiership victory, Loynes is a ferocious ball winner and offers a wealth of knowledge to Carlton’s midfield. Coming off a grueling rehabilitation from her second knee surgery, Loynes is well poised to take the competition by storm.
DOB: 13/1/1995
Draft history: Marquee signing, 2016 (St Kilda, VIC)
Position: Midfielder
From the moment Brianna Davey pulled on a St Kilda Sharks guernsey in 2015, the former Matildas goalkeeper – and W-League title winner with both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City – was an immediate superstar of the game. Winning the Debbie Lee Medal in 2015 as the VWFL Premier Division’s best first year player, Davey also finished fifth in the Helen Lambert Medal (VWFL Premier Division best and fairest) count after playing only half a season. In 2016, she won the Sharks’ B&F and finished second in the VFL Women’s best and fairest, just four votes shy of winner Daisy Pearce. A bash-and-crash midfielder for the Sharks, Davey was used in defence in AFL exhibition matches for the Western Bulldogs and showcased her phenomenal rebounding skills. Whether the Blues choose to use her in the middle or down back, Davey will be an AFL Women’s standout.
19. Lauren Arnell (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 15/3/1987
Draft history: Priority pick, 2016 (Darebin, VIC)
Position: Forward
Of all the stars packed into Darebin’s famed squad, the 12-year Falcons veteran in Lauren Arnell has been somewhat of a sleeping superstar, fulfilling her role in the team while others claim accolades. However, the dangling carrot of the 2017 AFL Women’s competition seemingly spurred Arnell into bringing the best she has to offer in 2016. Across the half-forward line, Arnell makes life easy for leading forwards as arguably the most accurate kick of a footy in the game. Yet it was her match for the Bulldogs against WA in 2016 that showed her true capabilities, as Arnell racked up a game-high 27 disposals across half-back and in the midfield. Wherever the Blues decide to utilise her skills, Arnell will be a shining star in 2017.
22. Darcy Vescio (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 3/8/1993
Draft history: Marquee signing, 2016 (Darebin, VIC)
Position: Forward
Darcy Vescio is a highlight reel’s best friend, capable of pulling off the impossible from all angles. A crafty forward, Vescio is one of the best in the game at being in the right place at the right time. Though goals are her bread and butter, Vescio also excels at pressuring the opposition into mistakes and often capitalising on the opportunities created. Generally playing as the third forward for Darebin and the Bulldogs in AFL exhibition matches, the test for Vescio will be performing well consistently against each team’s best defender. If her performance in Carlton’s pre-season victory over Melbourne is any indication – kicking two goals in a best on ground performance – Vescio will relish the challenge.
45. Bianca Jakobsson (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 30/3/1993
Draft history: Pick 3, 2016 (Cranbourne, VIC)
Position: Forward
For Bianca Jakobsson to return to footy at all is a testament to her work ethic, but for her to come back from a major knee injury and reach a new level is nothing short of phenomenal. Following tearing her ACL at the 2013 National Championships in Cairns, Jakobsson spent a grand total of 22 months on the sidelines. Since joining Cranbourne in 2015, “BJ” has made a name for herself at state level and went on to be a regular goal kicker in the 2016 AFL exhibition matches. Jakobsson has lost none of her athleticism since making a full recovery from surgery, as displayed by her quick forward movement and leaping ability. The high-marking half-forward capped off a stellar year by winning Cranbourne’s best and fairest award.
47. Kate Gillespie-Jones (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 26/4/1991
Draft history: Pick 14, 2016 (Seaford, VIC)
Position: Utility
When you think raw power in the women’s game, you think Kate Gillespie-Jones. After a remarkable season in the VFL Women’s competition, Gillespie-Jones cemented herself as one of the competition’s premier utilities by standing out all over the ground, particularly in defence. With height, speed, power and skill to her name, Carlton has the luxury of playing Gillespie-Jones wherever she is required, whether it be barging through packs in the midfield, matching up on key forwards in defence or sticking pack marks in the forward half. With room to continue her development, Gillespie-Jones could well feature much higher in the Top 50 come this time next season.
49. Katie Loynes (Carlton Blues)
DOB: 23/3/1986
Draft history: Pick 110, 2016 (Diamond Creek, VIC)
Position: Midfielder
At pick 110, Katie Loynes is one of the steals of the 2016 AFL Women’s Draft. A cornerstone of the Diamond Creek midfield, Loynes has battled back from four major injuries since 2011 – including two knee surgeries – to earn selection in the AFL Women’s competition. Though she has been unable to have a consistent run since being part of the Creekers’ 2012 premiership victory, Loynes is a ferocious ball winner and offers a wealth of knowledge to Carlton’s midfield. Coming off a grueling rehabilitation from her second knee surgery, Loynes is well poised to take the competition by storm.
