With Draft and Expansion just around the corner I have tried to identify the next lot of players and talent.
Some stats to start with Draft Eligible in 2017
There are 95 players eligible for the Draft from the NAB U18 championship of 246 participants
The TAC Cup has 131 players Draft eligible out of 405 players
All Australians from NAB Cup 28 Draft Eligible out of 54 chosen
AFL Academy players eligible 15 of 33
Collected from all sources I could find beginning with
Fox Footy Draft Podcast
1. ISABEL HUNTINGTON (Western Bulldogs)
Despite suffering an ACL injury last year, Huntington remains as one of the most sought after draftees. The St Michael’s school captain harbours ambitions to study medicine and is as close as the complete package on the field as she is off it. While Huntington can push through the middle, she is most damaging at centre half forward, where she can exploit her elite marking ability and goal kicking nous. An incredible talent who is worth the risk, despite her injury history.
2. EMILY MCGUIRE (Fremantle)
If there’s one thing Fremantle lacked in the inaugural AFLW season, it was a key forward. An All-Australian at the U/18 Championships, McGuire’s strength, physicality and mobility stood out when she featured for Western Australia. The star youngster isn’t afraid to push up the field to create an option, while she can also mark the ball deep inside 50 and be a genuine target. Her field kicking is outstanding while she is more than happy to both snap goals and kick them from set shots.
3. CHLOE MOLLOY (Collingwood)
Molloy leads the VFLW goal kicking as an 18-year-old playing against women. That the Diamond Creek forward can play with bigger bodies speaks for itself. She’s ready to make the transition to AFLW. Molloy has played alongside a number of Collingwood players at Diamond Creek, including captain Steph Chiocci, and is expected to land at the club. She’ll certainly add to their talented forward line. Molloy has good burst speed on the lead, is a strong contested mark, a good kick for goal and has excellent lateral movement — a throwback to her basketball background.
4. MONIQUE CONTI (Western Bulldogs)
With speed to kill, Conti is a damaging midfielder with an elite basketball background. At last year’s junior basketball World Championships, Conti was named as one of the tournament’s starting five players. Those skills that make her such a talented basketballer — spatial awareness, lateral movement and breakaway speed — translate on to the football field. She’s still a relatively raw prospect but her scope for improvement and development makes Conti an exciting prospect.
5. HANEEN ZREIKA (GWS)
A tough-as-nails midfielder who’s converted from rugby league, Zreika is an exciting local prospect for the Giants. Zreika has clean hands, is good below her knees and has a clever sidestep — all things that would fit in perfectly in an AFLW engine room. She’s courageous too — Zrieka isn’t afraid to put her body on the line.
6. DARCY GUTTRIDGE (Melbourne)
One of the standout performers at this year’s U/18 Championships, Guttridge looms as a tantalising future prospect. A versatile player who can push through the midfield and provide a target up forward, Guttridge’s best work so far has been across half back. The Victoria Country captain stood out with her explosiveness from stoppages and her ability to read the play and intercept. An excellent overhead contested mark, Guttridge’s long kicking allows her to be a playmaker across half back — she’d be an asset to any team.
7. KALINDA HOWARTH (Brisbane)
One of the most exciting Queensland talents, Howarth is the type of player who can light up a forward line. While she’s good in the air, it’s Howarth’s athleticism, smarts and instincts on the ground that stand out. Howarth can take a high-flying mark, while she moves like a smaller player on the ground, is tough and is capable of kicking goals from anywhere. She would fit in beautifully in a Brisbane forward 50 that lost Tayla Harris to Carlton in the off-season.
8. ELOISE JONES (Adelaide)
A highly skilled midfielder who can push forward and create havoc with her terrific aerial skills, Jones will fit in nicely at the Crows. While she may not get a start in Adelaide’s talented engine room that boasts Erin Phillips and Ebony Marinoff, Jones would slot in nicely in front of goal. Her decision making stood out at the U/18 carnival, where she was the standout for the Bec Goddard coached Allies team.
Victorian Players to be drafted
Highly Rated Fox Footy Podcast
Eden Zanker - Bendigo Pioneers 182 cm All Australian Forward
Maddy Guerin - Northern Knights 170 cm All Australian Midfielder
Olivia Flanagan - Eastern Ranges 171 cm All Australian Midfielder
AFL Academy Tier 2 2017
Georgia Gee - Beaconsfield JFC/ Dandenong Stingrays 157 cm All Australian Midfielder
Georgia Gourlay - Cranbourne Womens FC/Dandenong Stingrays 167 cm
Charis Ulu-Peniata - Parkmore/Sandringham Dragons 161 cm
Other All Australian Players
Bridie Kennedy - Dandenong Stingrays 172 cm All Australian Defender
Rene Caris - GWV Rebels 184 cm All Australian Ruck
Aisling Tupper - Bendigo Pioneers 157 cm All Australian Midfielder
Lilish Ross - Murray Bushrangers 168 cm All Australian Defender
Georgia Ricardo - Sandringham Dragons 166 cm All Australian Defender
Olivia Vesely - Sandringham Dragons 165 cm All Australian Defender
Victoria Country Players Draft Eligible
Holly Whitford - Gippsland Power 163 cm
Abby Favaro - Murray Bushrangers 170 cm
Chloe Brain - Murray Bushrangers 158 cm
Sophie Phillips - Dandenong Stingrays 163 cm
Ruby Clayton - Dandenong Stingrays 162 cm
Jasmine Kawa - GWV Rebels 171 cm
Eliza Shannon - Geelong Falcons 173 cm
Victoria Metro Players Draft Eligible
Sarah Dargan - Calder Cannons 162 cm
Isabel Quintal - Sandringham Dragons 168 cm
Lily Brancatisano - Northern Knights 162 cm
Lauren Caruso - Calder Cannons 161 cm
Ysabelle Price - Eastern Ranges 172 cm
Erin Hoare 27 yr old Geelong VFLW 194 cm As seen AFL 360 - Former Netballer Vixens and Swift
The Willdcard's from Tasmania with no obvious Draft Pool
Tasmania
Daria Bannister - Launceston AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Midfielder
Courtney Webb - Launceston Player to Watch AFL.com
Selected for Allies (SA, NT TAS)
Georgia Hill - Launceston/Evandale Selected for Allies
Elise Barwick - Glenorchy Selected for Allies
Lauren Stevenson - Burnie/Latrobe Selected for Allies
Tas player draft eligible
Maggie Cuthbertson - Launceston/Evandale Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only Overage Player at carnival
Loveth Ochayi Tigers Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only Overage Player at carnival
Zoe Knight -Burnie/Latrobe Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Ebony Barrenger - Launceston Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Jenna Farrrow -Clarence Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Skye Brown - Launceston/Evandale Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Sarah Skinner - Burnie/Latrobe Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Macklyn Sutcliffe - South East Suns Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Queensland
Kalinda Howarth - Coolangatta AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Forward
Ruby Blair - Coolangatta AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Defender
Arianna Clarke - Coolangatta AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Defender
Gabby Collingwood - University of Queensland Player to Watch AFL.com All Australian Midfielder
Courtney Bromage - Yeronga All Australian Defender
Sophie Conway - Zillmere Eagles All Australian Forward
Jemma Abbott - Maroochydore All Australian Forward
Not All Australian but Queensland players Draft eligible
Eliza Angus -Coorparoo
Shania Jones - Maroochydore
Jessi Henning - University of Queensland
Taivia Dunne - Coolangatta
Alanna Perry - University of Queensland
NSW/ACT
Haneen Zreika - Auburn Giants AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Midfielder
Ellie Delgano-Fixture - Riverina Lions All Australian Ruck
Not All Australian but NSW/ACT players Draft eligible
Margot Vella - Auburn Giants
Nicky Steel - Mosman Swans
Chloe Arndt - East Coast Eagles
Rebecca Mount - Eastlake Demons
Zoe Allen - Ainslie Tricolours
Chelsea Hamilton - Belconnen Magpies
Renee Friend - Belconnen Magpies
Mariah Gilchrist - Bathurst Bushrangers
Sammy Bird - Queenwood
Paige Nash Finley
South Australia
Eloise Jones - Glenelg All Australian Midfielder Watchlist Advertiser
Chloe Scheer - Modbury All Australian Midfielder Player to Watch AFL.com - Injured
Jessica Allan - Salisbury All Australian Ruck Watchlist Advertiser
Brianna Walling Morphettville Park Player to Watch AFL.com
Selected for Allies (SA, NT TAS)
Kyesha Christensen - Salisbury Selected for Allies
Madison Bennett - Christies Beach Selected for Allies
Tareeka Kartinyeri - Ingle Farm Selected for Allies
Breanna Maslen - Morphettville Park Selected for Allies
Tait Mackrill - Morphettville Park Selected for Allies
Olivia Fuller - South East Academy Selected for Allies
Amber James - Salisbury SA Round 1 v NT, Tas only
NT
Allies
Calista Boyd Wanderers Player to Watch AFL.com
NT Only
Julieanna Kerinaiua - Waratah NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Chiarah Rusca - Southern Districts NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Evelyn Raapark - Elcho Island NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Evelyn Wear - Pinktails NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Bayni Yunupingu - Gove NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Kiara White - Pinktails NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Te Ka Voysey - Wanderers NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Some stats to start with Draft Eligible in 2017
There are 95 players eligible for the Draft from the NAB U18 championship of 246 participants
The TAC Cup has 131 players Draft eligible out of 405 players
All Australians from NAB Cup 28 Draft Eligible out of 54 chosen
AFL Academy players eligible 15 of 33
Collected from all sources I could find beginning with
Fox Footy Draft Podcast
1. ISABEL HUNTINGTON (Western Bulldogs)
Despite suffering an ACL injury last year, Huntington remains as one of the most sought after draftees. The St Michael’s school captain harbours ambitions to study medicine and is as close as the complete package on the field as she is off it. While Huntington can push through the middle, she is most damaging at centre half forward, where she can exploit her elite marking ability and goal kicking nous. An incredible talent who is worth the risk, despite her injury history.
2. EMILY MCGUIRE (Fremantle)
If there’s one thing Fremantle lacked in the inaugural AFLW season, it was a key forward. An All-Australian at the U/18 Championships, McGuire’s strength, physicality and mobility stood out when she featured for Western Australia. The star youngster isn’t afraid to push up the field to create an option, while she can also mark the ball deep inside 50 and be a genuine target. Her field kicking is outstanding while she is more than happy to both snap goals and kick them from set shots.
3. CHLOE MOLLOY (Collingwood)
Molloy leads the VFLW goal kicking as an 18-year-old playing against women. That the Diamond Creek forward can play with bigger bodies speaks for itself. She’s ready to make the transition to AFLW. Molloy has played alongside a number of Collingwood players at Diamond Creek, including captain Steph Chiocci, and is expected to land at the club. She’ll certainly add to their talented forward line. Molloy has good burst speed on the lead, is a strong contested mark, a good kick for goal and has excellent lateral movement — a throwback to her basketball background.
4. MONIQUE CONTI (Western Bulldogs)
With speed to kill, Conti is a damaging midfielder with an elite basketball background. At last year’s junior basketball World Championships, Conti was named as one of the tournament’s starting five players. Those skills that make her such a talented basketballer — spatial awareness, lateral movement and breakaway speed — translate on to the football field. She’s still a relatively raw prospect but her scope for improvement and development makes Conti an exciting prospect.
5. HANEEN ZREIKA (GWS)
A tough-as-nails midfielder who’s converted from rugby league, Zreika is an exciting local prospect for the Giants. Zreika has clean hands, is good below her knees and has a clever sidestep — all things that would fit in perfectly in an AFLW engine room. She’s courageous too — Zrieka isn’t afraid to put her body on the line.
6. DARCY GUTTRIDGE (Melbourne)
One of the standout performers at this year’s U/18 Championships, Guttridge looms as a tantalising future prospect. A versatile player who can push through the midfield and provide a target up forward, Guttridge’s best work so far has been across half back. The Victoria Country captain stood out with her explosiveness from stoppages and her ability to read the play and intercept. An excellent overhead contested mark, Guttridge’s long kicking allows her to be a playmaker across half back — she’d be an asset to any team.
7. KALINDA HOWARTH (Brisbane)
One of the most exciting Queensland talents, Howarth is the type of player who can light up a forward line. While she’s good in the air, it’s Howarth’s athleticism, smarts and instincts on the ground that stand out. Howarth can take a high-flying mark, while she moves like a smaller player on the ground, is tough and is capable of kicking goals from anywhere. She would fit in beautifully in a Brisbane forward 50 that lost Tayla Harris to Carlton in the off-season.
8. ELOISE JONES (Adelaide)
A highly skilled midfielder who can push forward and create havoc with her terrific aerial skills, Jones will fit in nicely at the Crows. While she may not get a start in Adelaide’s talented engine room that boasts Erin Phillips and Ebony Marinoff, Jones would slot in nicely in front of goal. Her decision making stood out at the U/18 carnival, where she was the standout for the Bec Goddard coached Allies team.
Victorian Players to be drafted
Highly Rated Fox Footy Podcast
Eden Zanker - Bendigo Pioneers 182 cm All Australian Forward
Maddy Guerin - Northern Knights 170 cm All Australian Midfielder
Olivia Flanagan - Eastern Ranges 171 cm All Australian Midfielder
AFL Academy Tier 2 2017
Georgia Gee - Beaconsfield JFC/ Dandenong Stingrays 157 cm All Australian Midfielder
Georgia Gourlay - Cranbourne Womens FC/Dandenong Stingrays 167 cm
Charis Ulu-Peniata - Parkmore/Sandringham Dragons 161 cm
Other All Australian Players
Bridie Kennedy - Dandenong Stingrays 172 cm All Australian Defender
Rene Caris - GWV Rebels 184 cm All Australian Ruck
Aisling Tupper - Bendigo Pioneers 157 cm All Australian Midfielder
Lilish Ross - Murray Bushrangers 168 cm All Australian Defender
Georgia Ricardo - Sandringham Dragons 166 cm All Australian Defender
Olivia Vesely - Sandringham Dragons 165 cm All Australian Defender
Victoria Country Players Draft Eligible
Holly Whitford - Gippsland Power 163 cm
Abby Favaro - Murray Bushrangers 170 cm
Chloe Brain - Murray Bushrangers 158 cm
Sophie Phillips - Dandenong Stingrays 163 cm
Ruby Clayton - Dandenong Stingrays 162 cm
Jasmine Kawa - GWV Rebels 171 cm
Eliza Shannon - Geelong Falcons 173 cm
Victoria Metro Players Draft Eligible
Sarah Dargan - Calder Cannons 162 cm
Isabel Quintal - Sandringham Dragons 168 cm
Lily Brancatisano - Northern Knights 162 cm
Lauren Caruso - Calder Cannons 161 cm
Ysabelle Price - Eastern Ranges 172 cm
Erin Hoare 27 yr old Geelong VFLW 194 cm As seen AFL 360 - Former Netballer Vixens and Swift
The Willdcard's from Tasmania with no obvious Draft Pool
Tasmania
Daria Bannister - Launceston AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Midfielder
Courtney Webb - Launceston Player to Watch AFL.com
Selected for Allies (SA, NT TAS)
Georgia Hill - Launceston/Evandale Selected for Allies
Elise Barwick - Glenorchy Selected for Allies
Lauren Stevenson - Burnie/Latrobe Selected for Allies
Tas player draft eligible
Maggie Cuthbertson - Launceston/Evandale Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only Overage Player at carnival
Loveth Ochayi Tigers Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only Overage Player at carnival
Zoe Knight -Burnie/Latrobe Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Ebony Barrenger - Launceston Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Jenna Farrrow -Clarence Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Skye Brown - Launceston/Evandale Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Sarah Skinner - Burnie/Latrobe Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Macklyn Sutcliffe - South East Suns Tasmania Round 1 v NT, SA only
Queensland
Kalinda Howarth - Coolangatta AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Forward
Ruby Blair - Coolangatta AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Defender
Arianna Clarke - Coolangatta AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Defender
Gabby Collingwood - University of Queensland Player to Watch AFL.com All Australian Midfielder
Courtney Bromage - Yeronga All Australian Defender
Sophie Conway - Zillmere Eagles All Australian Forward
Jemma Abbott - Maroochydore All Australian Forward
Not All Australian but Queensland players Draft eligible
Eliza Angus -Coorparoo
Shania Jones - Maroochydore
Jessi Henning - University of Queensland
Taivia Dunne - Coolangatta
Alanna Perry - University of Queensland
NSW/ACT
Haneen Zreika - Auburn Giants AFL Academy Tier 2 2017 All Australian Midfielder
Ellie Delgano-Fixture - Riverina Lions All Australian Ruck
Not All Australian but NSW/ACT players Draft eligible
Margot Vella - Auburn Giants
Nicky Steel - Mosman Swans
Chloe Arndt - East Coast Eagles
Rebecca Mount - Eastlake Demons
Zoe Allen - Ainslie Tricolours
Chelsea Hamilton - Belconnen Magpies
Renee Friend - Belconnen Magpies
Mariah Gilchrist - Bathurst Bushrangers
Sammy Bird - Queenwood
Paige Nash Finley
South Australia
Eloise Jones - Glenelg All Australian Midfielder Watchlist Advertiser
Chloe Scheer - Modbury All Australian Midfielder Player to Watch AFL.com - Injured
Jessica Allan - Salisbury All Australian Ruck Watchlist Advertiser
Brianna Walling Morphettville Park Player to Watch AFL.com
Selected for Allies (SA, NT TAS)
Kyesha Christensen - Salisbury Selected for Allies
Madison Bennett - Christies Beach Selected for Allies
Tareeka Kartinyeri - Ingle Farm Selected for Allies
Breanna Maslen - Morphettville Park Selected for Allies
Tait Mackrill - Morphettville Park Selected for Allies
Olivia Fuller - South East Academy Selected for Allies
Amber James - Salisbury SA Round 1 v NT, Tas only
NT
Allies
Calista Boyd Wanderers Player to Watch AFL.com
NT Only
Julieanna Kerinaiua - Waratah NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Chiarah Rusca - Southern Districts NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Evelyn Raapark - Elcho Island NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Evelyn Wear - Pinktails NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Bayni Yunupingu - Gove NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Kiara White - Pinktails NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
Te Ka Voysey - Wanderers NT Round 1 v SA, Tas only
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