AFLW Player Marlo Graham (2025-)

[dlanod]

At pick 33, the Lions selected Northern Knights midfielder Marlo Graham, adding more depth and skill to their midfield and forward line groups.

Graham has been touted throughout her draft year as a player with high footy IQ, lean hands, elite endurance and terrific defensive pressure.

"Despite an injury interrupted top-age season, Marlo displayed great resilience to get out on the park and show us her innate footy smarts and skill level,” Swann said.

“She is quick off the mark and has a huge tank which means that she could be used across multiple lines."

New faces and a famous name join the Lions at 2025 AFLW Draft

The Brisbane Lions AFLW side have added four new members to their list at the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft this evening.

www.lions.com.au

 

[dlanod]

SNAPSHOT: “A classy ball user with high footy IQ, clean hands, elite endurance and terrific defensive pressure.”



Marlo Graham might have been limited to what she was capable of this season due to injury, but when she was out on the park, her performances were hard to fault. An extremely talented player, Graham oozes class and her balance of offensive impact with defensive capabilities make her a really valuable all-round player.



Graham’s football journey began as a real youngster back in 2015, where she signed up with Parkside in the Yarra Junior Football League (YJFL). She brought up her 50th game by 2018, and had 66 prior to the global pandemic which saw her 2020 season cancelled. Graham returned to Parkside for the 2021 season playing across two Under 14s sides.



A step up to the Youth Girls open side took place when Graham was just 14, indicating her early talent, while still going around in her Under 15s age group. Interleague representation also took place that year, playing two games for the YJFL as Graham made her way into the Northern Knights program ahead of the 2023 season.



She played the Futures matches, secured a spot with Vic Metro at the National Development Championships and was named among the best in all four games between those two competitions. Naturally an Under 18s debut beckoned, and while she was kept to just five games that season, showed enough to suggest she was on track to be a talent to remember for the future.



In her bottom-age season of 2024, Graham averaged 19.5 disposals, 3.4 marks, 7.4 tackles and 3.5 inside 50s, while kicking six goals in her 11 games for the Northern Knights. A spot with Vic Metro followed, and she gained a great experience as a bottom-ager through the national carnival. While missing out on the National Academy, Graham made the Vic Metro summer hub and went from strength to strength.



Though injury would strike in her top-age season keeping the talented Knights leader to just five games, she racked up 27.4 disposals, 3.4 marks, 5.3 clearances, 6.2 tackles and booted three majors in that time. After missing the first game with Vic Metro, Graham returned to the ‘Big V’ and played out the remaining matches, averaging 17.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 3.3 clearances and 8.0 tackles rotating between the midfield and attack.



It was no surprise the talented ball user earned a National Draft Combine invite, and would be in first round contention given her wide array of weapons. Boasting an elite tank and plenty to like, she is a player who can fit into any club, as highly regarded off the field as she is on it.

Marlo Graham Draft Profile

Marlo Graham is an all-round standout with classy skills, nice smarts and high-level defensive pressure in her game.

central.rookieme.com

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Got a good feeling about Marlo. Looks like exactly the kind of player we'll need in our midfield when Ally and Cath are winding down.