AFLW West Coast Womens 2024

[AlphaSheep]

For those who haven't seen the draftees play, here's Molly's (pretty limited) highlight real. 180cm, elite midfield skills, goes like a rocket.



And here's Zippy (also pretty limited, she's made far better plays than this in the WAFLW).



Rookie Me doesn't have Rasheed's highlights up yet, but SANFLW does.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Any chance Zippy slides due to her size?

Maybe a bigger bodied player suits us better anyway.

 

[JADED]

Of course, it's also possible that Sydney and GWS rate O'Hehir and Rasheed higher than Fish. In which case, Carlton taking McKay, we'll get Zippy. Best outcome for me, but I'd be thrilled with any of those three.

I hope this happens. Fish would be great.
Prefer Fish then O'H (local girls) and don't have to worry about being away from home.

 

[AlphaSheep]

Any chance Zippy slides due to her size?

Maybe a bigger bodied player suits us better anyway.

Yes to Zippy. Her U18 champs weren't great, the WA team was struggling, just like a lower-ranked AFLW team will be, and it was hard for her to find space. And Gowans was apparently saying Sydney will try to draft tall players, which means they'll take either O'Hehir or Rasheed.

GWS are short of forward options, might prefer Rasheed. Which leaves Carlton, again, and if they stick with McKay. If so, Zippy could slip to 6th.

There's precedent. Mon Conti slipped to 4th in 2017, behind Izzy Huntington, Steph Cain and Chloe Molloy. I laughed then, and I'll laugh again if Zippy drops into our lap.

 

[Monocle]

Any chance Zippy slides due to her size?

Maybe a bigger bodied player suits us better anyway.

It's possible.

I have Centra and Harris as locks for the first two names called out.
I rate Rasheed next best. ( I rate her at Ella Roberts level talent )

Then it will depend on Club needs and preferences so its then a choice from:

Zippy Fish, Molly O'Hehir and Sara Howley IMO.

 

[Livin1989]

 

[Livin1989]

Hurts to see yet another one of our ex Irish players leave and become an absolute weapon at another club but we always rated Ash Mac I guess. Are we like the ONLY club not to have an Irish player atm? I reckon we should target the Gaelic league this off season for sure.

 

[Livin1989]

Yes to Zippy. Her U18 champs weren't great, the WA team was struggling, just like a lower-ranked AFLW team will be, and it was hard for her to find space. And Gowans was apparently saying Sydney will try to draft tall players, which means they'll take either O'Hehir or Rasheed.

GWS are short of forward options, might prefer Rasheed. Which leaves Carlton, again, and if they stick with McKay. If so, Zippy could slip to 6th.

There's precedent. Mon Conti slipped to 4th in 2017, behind Izzy Huntington, Steph Cain and Chloe Molloy. I laughed then, and I'll laugh again if Zippy drops into our lap.

Id be fine with Zippy, though her foot skills are not as polished as I'd like them to be and she is a little on the small side (less of an issue given her agility and speed) but I think I'd prefer Rasheed at this juncture

 

[Monocle]

Id be fine with Zippy, though her foot skills are not as polished as I'd like them to be and she is a little on the small side (less of an issue given her agility and speed) but I think I'd prefer Rasheed at this juncture

Good summary and I agree with your ranking, as Rasheed would be my preferred option too and by some margin.

 

[AlphaSheep]

Id be fine with Zippy, though her foot skills are not as polished as I'd like them to be and she is a little on the small side (less of an issue given her agility and speed) but I think I'd prefer Rasheed at this juncture

Zippy's one of the best kicks in the game, IMO. She plays so aggressive, she attempts things others won't, which in tight contests leads to more mistakes. But I'd rather see a young player taking risks, because it's the best way to improve. After a few years of AFLW, she'll be one of the two or three most skillful players in the league.

Having said that, her size will seem like a risk, for coaches of struggling teams who have less 'risky' options like O'Hehir and Rasheed available. The more I think about it, the more sure I am that GWS and Sydney will take those two. Which leaves Carlton, and whether they chose Sophie McKay.

I read that Carlton needs to decide if they take that father-daughter option by November 18. So basically, we'll know in two weeks if we get Zippy or not (or O'Hehir or Rasheed, if I'm wrong).

 

[Livin1989]

Zippy's one of the best kicks in the game, IMO. She plays so aggressive, she attempts things others won't, which in tight contests leads to more mistakes. But I'd rather see a young player taking risks, because it's the best way to improve. After a few years of AFLW, she'll be one of the two or three most skillful players in the league.

Having said that, her size will seem like a risk, for coaches of struggling teams who have less 'risky' options like O'Hehir and Rasheed available. The more I think about it, the more sure I am that GWS and Sydney will take those two. Which leaves Carlton, and whether they chose Sophie McKay.

I read that Carlton needs to decide if they take that father-daughter option by November 18. So basically, we'll know in two weeks if we get Zippy or not (or O'Hehir or Rasheed, if I'm wrong).

I'll take your word for it mate as you are definitely knowledgeable in this arena! I'm going off of the recent state games but tbh haven't been watching either of them (or ANY of the draft prospects) with anything other than a cursory glance. In Daisy's last two pressers she has reinforced that she doesn't want our team to be a dour, defence only team that wins through boring austerity. She wants them to play with thrill and attack, it's gonna take a while for A. Our squad to be talented enough across the board and B. For the training of fundamentals and game exp to gel.

In that regard I guess Fish is a lock if she develops into the players we hope she can. It is good to know that Daisy is taking risks, and perhaps that's why we are experiencing some blowouts atm. If it pays dividends I get the feeling it's all gonna happen at once and we will go from mediocre to dazzling seemingly out of nowhere. I think it's prudent to remember that MOST of our best players and core group in the future are currently 19-21. I wasn't sure Bella Lewis was going to take the next step and it's looking like she's on track to be an elite Midfielder, genuinely. It's taken her 5 seasons...

The next couple of years a d beyond are terribly exciting I think, bring on the off season (and hopefully a gun Irish recruit)

 

[Keys]

Congratulations to all 4 girls

Only Port Adelaide (6) have more in the squad of 44

 

[AlphaSheep]

I'll take your word for it mate as you are definitely knowledgeable in this arena! I'm going off of the recent state games but tbh haven't been watching either of them (or ANY of the draft prospects) with anything other than a cursory glance. In Daisy's last two pressers she has reinforced that she doesn't want our team to be a dour, defence only team that wins through boring austerity. She wants them to play with thrill and attack, it's gonna take a while for A. Our squad to be talented enough across the board and B. For the training of fundamentals and game exp to gel.

In that regard I guess Fish is a lock if she develops into the players we hope she can. It is good to know that Daisy is taking risks, and perhaps that's why we are experiencing some blowouts atm. If it pays dividends I get the feeling it's all gonna happen at once and we will go from mediocre to dazzling seemingly out of nowhere. I think it's prudent to remember that MOST of our best players and core group in the future are currently 19-21. I wasn't sure Bella Lewis was going to take the next step and it's looking like she's on track to be an elite Midfielder, genuinely. It's taken her 5 seasons...

The next couple of years a d beyond are terribly exciting I think, bring on the off season (and hopefully a gun Irish recruit)

If Daisy wants to play aggressive football, Zippy's a great pick. Our ball movement is still our greatest weakness, too many players can't kick accurately under pressure, or aren't fast enough to beat defenders, forcing them into long, inaccurate kicks.

Zippy is super fast AND super accurate, so she can slice up defences without many turnovers. And there's a good mix of sizes, so I don't think Zippy's size will matter much. If they were ALL small it might be a problem, but they're not.

But Lewis, Drennan, Roberts, Rowley, Kavanagh, Rentsch and Fish would make a genuine seven-strong midfield. The bottom end is inexperienced, but if they all turn out well, that's as deep a midfield as anyone in the AFLW.

 

[Monocle]

If Daisy wants to play aggressive football, Zippy's a great pick. Our ball movement is still our greatest weakness, too many players can't kick accurately under pressure, or aren't fast enough to beat defenders, forcing them into long, inaccurate kicks.

Zippy is super fast AND super accurate, so she can slice up defences without many turnovers. And there's a good mix of sizes, so I don't think Zippy's size will matter much. If they were ALL small it might be a problem, but they're not.

But Lewis, Drennan, Roberts, Rowley, Kavanagh, Rentsch and Fish would make a genuine seven-strong midfield. The bottom end is inexperienced, but if they all turn out well, that's as deep a midfield as anyone in the AFLW.

You certainly are a big wrap for her AS, I like her a lot and maybe its just been bad luck on my behalf, but I have seen her in a few games when her kicking has been off, now every other part of her game I do like.
I agree that more often than not her kicking is good but I rate Rasheed as being a superior kick to Zippy.
I know they are two very different style of footballers so comparing them is like apples and oranges, so in that sense its a bit unfair.
Zippy is also going to need to beat a tag as when she has been tagged in some WAFLW games, she hasn't handled it all that well, but the longer games went the better she became at getting separation, due to her impressive endurance.

I do like her gut running and the ground that she covers, plus her aggressive take the game on nature.

I just see a lot of Ella Roberts in India Rasheed and she would be my first choice, as I think she has a better all round game that Zippy.

Not meaning to bag Zippy by the way, as she is a very impressive player to have on any team, and either would be great additions to our side.

 

[jatz14]

You certainly are a big wrap for her AS, I like her a lot and maybe its just been bad luck on my behalf, but I have seen her in a few games when her kicking has been off, now every other part of her game I do like.
I agree that more often than not her kicking is good but I rate Rasheed as being a superior kick to Zippy.
I know they are two very different style of footballers so comparing them is like apples and oranges, so in that sense its a bit unfair.
Zippy is also going to need to beat a tag as when she has been tagged in some WAFLW games, she hasn't handled it all that well, but the longer games went the better she became at getting separation, due to her impressive endurance.

I do like her gut running and the ground that she covers, plus her aggressive take the game on nature.

I just see a lot of Ella Roberts in India Rasheed and she would be my first choice, as I think she has a better all round game that Zippy.

Not meaning to bag Zippy by the way, as she is a very impressive player to have on any team, and either would be great additions to our side.

In WAFLW games, Zippy is the obvious tag. But with Roberts, Drennan and Lewis in the team, I don't see Zippy getting tagged, at least in her first year.

If she is, it can only mean that other teams see a need to stop her, which would mean she is tearing it up.

On SM-A346E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Livin1989]

And onto something I STILL don't understand.

2023 AFLW Draft review: Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide picked up two additional young stars in the AFL Women's Draft to add to the talent it had already scooped up pre-draft.

central.rookieme.com

"

SUMMARY​

Port Adelaide was always going to come out successful from this year’s AFL WOmen’s Draft, scooping up four top 10 players, and arguably the best three talents in this year’s crop. All five inclusions between the pre-listings and draft can be long-term stars for the club, and it is easy to forget the Power also picked up Matilda Scholz earlier in the year, making it six 2005-born talents coming in to expedite the rise up the ladder. "

Port are going to be so OP in a few years. I just don't get how this is fair, how tf do club academics work and why haven't we taken advantage of it? Someone please explain it to me

 

[Livin1989]

If Daisy wants to play aggressive football, Zippy's a great pick. Our ball movement is still our greatest weakness, too many players can't kick accurately under pressure, or aren't fast enough to beat defenders, forcing them into long, inaccurate kicks.

Zippy is super fast AND super accurate, so she can slice up defences without many turnovers. And there's a good mix of sizes, so I don't think Zippy's size will matter much. If they were ALL small it might be a problem, but they're not.

But Lewis, Drennan, Roberts, Rowley, Kavanagh, Rentsch and Fish would make a genuine seven-strong midfield. The bottom end is inexperienced, but if they all turn out well, that's as deep a midfield as anyone in the AFLW.

"O’Hehir remains a high production prospect who is deserving of a top five spot. The West Australian started in defence against Queensland and then rotated into the middle after that, racking up 11 of her 18 disposals in the second half once she had settled on-ball. She went at an elite 88.9 per cent efficiency by foot and had three marks, four tackles, four clearances and four inside 50s as well."

Can't we somehow rigg the draft and net BOTH Fish and O'Hehir? Look at that disposal by foot

 

[Livin1989]

I don't think there's any limit on the number of draft picks, clubs can pick as many players as they like, so long as those players have nominated. But there's 18 teams now, four rounds gives you 72 picks, which I reckon will probably enough. The difference is that in previous years, picks 40 to 60 wouldn't get you much, while this year there'll be lots of very good players in that group, and maybe even beyond 60.

And 20 to 40 will get you elite players - Rookie Me have Claire Mahony at 21, which is nuts, she'd have been easy top ten a few years back, 181cm, athletic and good skills. And they've got Lily Patterson and Claudia Wright at 23 and 25 - Lily could be another Abbie Dowrick, and Claudia's 173cm, fast, great overhead, another easy top ten a few years ago, but I guess she's been injured and people haven't seen her much (I'd love if we could get her with our second pick).

I mean, here's their highlights package for Zoe Besanko, who's 177cm and comfortably better (or will be) than anyone in the bottom half of our list. She doesn't make Rookie Me's top 40... and I think they're wrong, but if they are, it'll just mean another of their existing top 40 will be pushed out. Same result, lots of great talent available in third and fourth rounds.



My point is that in the next three or four years, most of the current bottom halves of most AFLW lists in the country will be gone. Maybe not quite so much with North Melbourne, Brisbane, etc, but with us? Don't get too attached.

And the reason I don't shut up about it is that I think it's the most fun thing currently happening in Australian sports. Total transformation of a league.

Mahoney looks like a gun Forward, clunks absolutely everything and is very clean with ball in hand, Lily Patterson went from a nobody to an absolute accumulator in one off-season, what's her ceiling like if she had that much of a dramatic rise I wonder. I've always been in favour of local recruiting unless our needs aren't for that type of player.

I wonder how much allocation is given to scout for talents across the nation? If teams are savvy they might be able to pluck some absolute weapons from outside the top 40 this year, I hope we do!

 

[Kegs15]

Mahoney looks like a gun Forward, clunks absolutely everything and is very clean with ball in hand, Lily Patterson went from a nobody to an absolute accumulator in one off-season, what's her ceiling like if she had that much of a dramatic rise I wonder. I've always been in favour of local recruiting unless our needs aren't for that type of player.

I wonder how much allocation is given to scout for talents across the nation? If teams are savvy they might be able to pluck some absolute weapons from outside the top 40 this year, I hope we do!

Patterson looks awesome - for all our midfielders' strengths none of them are 30-touch accumulators (I'll leave out Drennan and Swanson for obvious future-related reasons). We tend to lose the weight of posession in there most games which is an issue in the AFLW as it stands.

On balance sort of see our midfield prospects like:

Roberts - Damage machine, ideally don't want at the bottom of packs, swing forward for headaches, 25 touches and a goal/assist or two.

Lewis - Redden type team mid, fill any role decently, could tag if needed, probably not who we want getting 30 touches.

Rentsch - Aggressive speedy winger. Hope for 15-20 touches but max metres gained.

???? - Clearance beast type (possibly but not confidently Kavanagh)

???? - Accumulator, weight-of-possessions both inside and out. Possibly two players (one more inside and one more of a wing) who both have the potential to rack it up on any given day.

Definitely think we're those 2-3 players short at this stage for a gun midfield, a Fish/Rasheed + Patterson might be huge for us. Hopefully Rowley and Kavanagh develop also but whether they do or not would love us to stack the talent in this area.