AFLW West Coast Womens Discussion

[AsterixTheGaul]

A good article on the ABC regarding expansion clubs.

Analysis: How do Essendon and Port Adelaide stack up to previous AFLW expansion sides?

For one side it's a damaging attack, for the other, it's a game of pressure. Gemma Bastiani analyses how Essendon and Port Adelaide are standing out from the other AFLW expansion sides.

www.abc.net.au

When I think of the reset we had over the winter with so many players leaving, it has left us with a young and inexperienced team. But it has left us with an exciting, talented and youthful team that will progress together.

A view of the table from 2 perspectives:-

1. Average age of the players - we are the youngest with only Doggies average also under 23.


2. Average games - we are 15th with what looks like a season and a half less football compared to the top teams.



If you took out Hooker and Swanson, the averages would be significantly lower.

After sitting with Biggie yesterday, we can be happy with how this season is panning out. Our 22 and under are starting to show there will be legitimate hope within the next 2 seasons.

Red is for LTI

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

So we have 2 wins and 3 losses at the half way mark.

The outlook based on current ladder position is that we should win at least 1 more and possibly no more.
Next week in the Hawks (should win) but then we face a tough task of Tigers (#8), Cats (#3), Dogs (2) and (Demons (#5).

By comparison, Freo have 1 win 1 draw and 3 losses.
Next 3 games for them are tough with Demons (#5), Crows (#6) and Pies (#4) and then they sail home with Swans (#18) and Hawks (#17).

The odds are saying that we finish with 3 wins and the Unwashed finish with 3.5 wins.

That will probably leave us with George Cleaver as the likely number 1 prospect from WA.

We have another season to go but there are three top prospects in Cleaver (EF 180 cm KPF/Ruck), Shroj (Peel balanced mid) and Henry (SD rebounding defender). Other names are Raison (another tall at 180cm), Elisseou, v/d Heeser, Grassenis and Blurton.

If the remaining games go as the odds suggest, we would be looking at Claver and one of Shroj or Henry. I do not see the AFLW will grant us another priority draft with it being the case of robbing from Freo to strengthen us.

Looking at the team yesterday, the mids that we now have are great. We lacked a partner for McDonald and hoping that is one of the Wakfers and we missed the toughness of Shilling in defence.

Add then Cleaver up front with Bartlett and Roberts (with the odd rotation) and we should be looking much better.

As an aside, I was critical of the game plan that Prior used last year. So far this year, the team are showing the ability to execute what Prior is coaching. It has been so much better seeing a forward line that is not a 3 on 1.

Anyone wanting to catch with Biggie and me at the Tigers game Friday 7th at 5.10 at Lathlain, ping a PM.

 

[Biggie]

We have another season to go but there are three top prospects in Cleaver (EF 180 cm KPF/Ruck), Shroj (Peel balanced mid) and Henry (SD rebounding defender). Other names are Raison (another tall at 180cm), Elisseou, v/d Heeser, Grassenis and Blurton.

Nice pick ups

There is some rumours about that there will be a draft immediately after this season for 2004 babies as well.

Rumours only but interesting nonetheless less

 

[Livin1989]

AFLW: Five things we learned against the Dockers

Our writer's five key takeaways from a three-point loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

 

[Livin1989]

AFLW: Pressing questions: Round five

See how AFLW coach Michael Prior handled the most pressing questions after the RAC Derby on Thursday

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

 

[AlphaSheep]

Assuming draft stocks are pretty shallow for 2023, who do we try to entice from other teams to best take advantage of our picks after the top talent is selected?

No clue. Good idea, but as always, it's so hard to get anyone outside of WA interested in making the trip.

 

[Livin1989]

No clue. Good idea, but as always, it's so hard to get anyone outside of WA interested in making the trip.

The only real notable ones I can think of are Ash Mac and Sedge. I've listened to a few poddies where both Ella Roberts and Montana Ham have flirted with the idea of playing with each other because they are such close friends... Imagine securing Ham or losing Roberts

The other option is to look at prominent WA talent that might want to come home. Emma King, Chelsea Randall. But the one I'd probably want the most is Ruby Schleicher... Arguably the best rebounding defender in the league. Won't hold out much hope because they all seem very entrenched emotionally at their clubs, the Collingwood girls are so tight knit that I don't think any deal would sway them. Randall is also the life and soul of Adelaide Crows.

 

[Livin1989]

A good article on the ABC regarding expansion clubs.

Analysis: How do Essendon and Port Adelaide stack up to previous AFLW expansion sides?

For one side it's a damaging attack, for the other, it's a game of pressure. Gemma Bastiani analyses how Essendon and Port Adelaide are standing out from the other AFLW expansion sides.

www.abc.net.au

When I think of the reset we had over the winter with so many players leaving, it has left us with a young and inexperienced team. But it has left us with an exciting, talented and youthful team that will progress together.

A view of the table from 2 perspectives:-

1. Average age of the players - we are the youngest with only Doggies average also under 23.
View attachment 1515810

2. Average games - we are 15th with what looks like a season and a half less football compared to the top teams.
View attachment 1515813


If you took out Hooker and Swanson, the averages would be significantly lower.

After sitting with Biggie yesterday, we can be happy with how this season is panning out. Our 22 and under are starting to show there will be legitimate hope within the next 2 seasons.
View attachment 1515816
Red is for LTI

This helps put into perspective the fact that we only just beat Port and got smashed by Essendon, the difference in xp and age counts for alot. Essendon gave Collingwood a decent run today and they are a very tidy outfit.

By the end of the season it might not look like we have progressed so far of we look simply at wins/losses probably.

We have improved the fundamentals of our game dramatically, look to have way more structure and are rocking up to play 4 quarters of footy. These things make me pretty happy about where we are headed, 4 or 5 more genuinely good players and 2-3 years of development and all of a sudden we look like a decent bloody football team.

We have invested heavily in the young ones and it will take at least 2-3 years to really start reaping the rewards from that as they develop.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

This helps put into perspective the fact that we only just beat Port and got smashed by Essendon, the difference in xp and age counts for alot. Essendon gave Collingwood a decent run today and they are a very tidy outfit.

By the end of the season it might not look like we have progressed so far of we look simply at wins/losses probably.

We have improved the fundamentals of our game dramatically, look to have way more structure and are rocking up to play 4 quarters of footy. These things make me pretty happy about where we are headed, 4 or 5 more genuinely good players and 2-3 years of development and all of a sudden we look like a decent bloody football team.

We have invested heavily in the young ones and it will take at least 2-3 years to really start reaping the rewards from that as they develop.

I think the young ones look really good already. Lakay, Rowley, Thomas, Roberts, Britton etc have been very good this season.

It's the mid-tier players that is the area we really lack. Need to strengthen this area of the list and upgrade the Bullas, Cameron, Simmons, Petrevski, Humphries types. If a few of those players can become more solid and dependable role players we'll be much better off.

 

[Livin1989]

I think the young ones look really good already. Lakay, Rowley, Thomas, Roberts, Britton etc have been very good this season.

It's the mid-tier players that is the area we really lack. Need to strengthen this area of the list and upgrade the Bullas, Cameron, Simmons, Petrevski, Humphries types. If a few of those players can become more solid and dependable role players we'll be much better off.

Yep, blooding the young talent has already paid off big time and it's going to be awesome to watch them all develop. I caught a bit of Geelong's game and I love how the media kept talking up Bowen pre season like she was a huge loss for us...I was never mad she was leaving. All her good work around the stoppages and physical pressure is completely negated by her horrible disposal.

This new crop on the other hand, all seem to have great touch, disposal and footy smarts. Especially Roberts, Britton and Bartlett. Peel has treated us very well as a feeder club hahaha.

The club always rates Davison in pressers, we also have Lauren Wakfer waiting in the wings and from all reports they will have immediate impacts if fit and firing.

The surprise packet for me this season has been Hartill. Tbh, I wasn't even expecting her to crack a game this season from the reports pre season. Granted, she needs to work on her fitness, S n C and positioning but she is extremely athletic and with great hands, goes hard at the ball and tackles well. She has been extremely handy for us in the Backline when you consider her lack of experience in the game. She could prove to be a very good find.

Come next season we will have Davison, Gooch, Wakfer, Gibbo available. Plus whatever we get in the trade/draft. Exciting times.

 

[AlphaSheep]

Lots of projections being made about where we'll be in two or three years. In which case we need to consider the 2024 and '25 drafts. Some of these may obviously quit, take up other sports, run away to Korea to marry entire boybands, etc, BUT here are 25 players from '24 and '25 drafts who I'm pretty sure will get drafted by SOMEONE, if they stick with it. This is a very incomplete list, but I think most of these will end up better than the bottom two thirds of the Eagles' current list. In other words, a friendly warning not to get too attached to our current players...

Claremont;
2024 draft;
Claudia Wright; absolute rocket, hard running 173cm mid, great at everything except accurate kicking.
Ella Slocombe; smallish mid, not the same athletic gifts as Wright, but very clever, can find the goals.
Bec Anderson; tall forward, great agility, hasn't gotten a senior game yet but leading goal scorer for Rogers Cup team.
2025 draft;
Juliet Kelly, I haven't seen her play yet, but she's listed at 169cm, will obviously get taller, played 12 RC games this season in a good side, was named among the best in 10 of them -- the only two she wasn't were her first two. I think she was the Claremont RC team's MVP as a 14 year old.

Subiaco;
2025 draft;
Olivia Wolmarans, possibly the best WA prospect since Ella Roberts. 181cm as a 14 year old, can literally play any position on the ground; excellent runner, great speed, almost unstoppable mark, could almost certainly be an Olympic basketballer if she weren't a footballer.
Olivia Crane; Also very tall, would be a real standout if she weren't on the same team as Wolmarans, very agile and clever. Likely to be a very good traditional tall.

Swan Districts; Has a bunch of interesting players; but the one who stands out is;
2025 draft;
Carys D'Addario, key forward/midfielder, super strong for her age, bit of Jasmine Garner about her. Swans RC team MVP as a 14 year old.

West Perth;
2024 draft;
Megan Norbury, terrific outside mid, very fast, silky skills, reminds me of Georgia Patrikios.
2025 draft;
Mia Russo, fast, balanced mid, super evasive, great skills. She won the entire Roger's Cup competition's MVP as a 14 year old (it's a trend, the kids get better as they get younger)
Leuca Krmpotic; Skills and mobility like a midfielder, but already 175cm at 14. Again, it's a trend.

South Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Noa McNaughton, small mid, won 2021 whole Rogers Cup MVP, basically a rocket.
Molly O'Hehir; a lot like Kaitlyn Srhoj, 177cm winger, great runner, already had some 20-plus possession games in the seniors as a 15 year old.
Zoe Keley; 183cm, skinny tall, but fast with skills. Hasn't gotten a senior game yet, should change soon.
Leila Fotu; Alira's sister, 175cm, got skills and brains like Charlie Thomas but hasn't shown great speed. If she's not actually quick, that's a problem. But she's Alira's sister, so she MUST have speed, right? If she starts to show it, could be anything.
2025 draft;
Alira Fotu; scary talent, tall, fast, strong, great mark, huge kick, could be one of the best forwards in the AFLW.
Ella Matthews; tallish winger, very quick, good skills. Faster than Srhoj or O'Hehir.
Renee Morgan; Haven't seen her play yet, but she won the RC team's MVP ahead of Matthews as a 14 year old, and if she's better than Matthews, she must be good.

East Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Zippy Fish; best case scenario, could turn into something like Monique Conti. Enough said.
Taya Chambers; 175cm halfback/winger, super fast, great intercept mark, great skills. Was among the Sharks' best in the Grand Final loss as a 16 year old.
Natasha Entwistle; often confused with Chambers (by me), nearly identical attributes, just not as developed. Yet.
Tiani Teakle; Julia's sister (Port Adelaide) tallish forward, very strong, very smart. Question mark only on her mobility.
2025 draft;
Alicia Blizard; 176cm as a 14 year old, crazy athlete, better agility than most mids, huge leap, great mark and kick. Could dominate either forward or back.

Peel Thunder has a bunch who could develop fast but I haven't seen much of yet. The outstanding ones are;
2024 Draft;
Jorja Haines; balanced mid, very good at everything without being brilliant.
Kate Newson; 187cm ruck, hasn't had a senior game yet, but looks more agile than Lackay. Skills need work, but big leap and good hands.
2025 draft;
Evie Cowcher; big talent, 173cm, big mark, athletic, all round footballer at either end. I think was Peel's RC team MVP as a 14 year old (see the trend yet?)

 

[Monocle]

Lots of projections being made about where we'll be in two or three years. In which case we need to consider the 2024 and '25 drafts. Some of these may obviously quit, take up other sports, run away to Korea to marry entire boybands, etc, BUT here are 25 players from '24 and '25 drafts who I'm pretty sure will get drafted by SOMEONE, if they stick with it. This is a very incomplete list, but I think most of these will end up better than the bottom two thirds of the Eagles' current list. In other words, a friendly warning not to get too attached to our current players...

Claremont;
2024 draft;
Claudia Wright; absolute rocket, hard running 173cm mid, great at everything except accurate kicking.
Ella Slocombe; smallish mid, not the same athletic gifts as Wright, but very clever, can find the goals.
Bec Anderson; tall forward, great agility, hasn't gotten a senior game yet but leading goal scorer for Rogers Cup team.
2025 draft;
Juliet Kelly, I haven't seen her play yet, but she's listed at 169cm, will obviously get taller, played 12 RC games this season in a good side, was named among the best in 10 of them -- the only two she wasn't were her first two. I think she was the Claremont RC team's MVP as a 14 year old.

Subiaco;
2025 draft;
Olivia Wolmarans, possibly the best WA prospect since Ella Roberts. 181cm as a 14 year old, can literally play any position on the ground; excellent runner, great speed, almost unstoppable mark, could almost certainly be an Olympic basketballer if she weren't a footballer.
Olivia Crane; Also very tall, would be a real standout if she weren't on the same team as Wolmarans, very agile and clever. Likely to be a very good traditional tall.

Swan Districts; Has a bunch of interesting players; but the one who stands out is;
2025 draft;
Carys D'Addario, key forward/midfielder, super strong for her age, bit of Jasmine Garner about her. Swans RC team MVP as a 14 year old.

West Perth;
2024 draft;
Megan Norbury, terrific outside mid, very fast, silky skills, reminds me of Georgia Patrikios.
2025 draft;
Mia Russo, fast, balanced mid, super evasive, great skills. She won the entire Roger's Cup competition's MVP as a 14 year old (it's a trend, the kids get better as they get younger)
Leuca Krmpotic; Skills and mobility like a midfielder, but already 175cm at 14. Again, it's a trend.

South Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Noa McNaughton, small mid, won 2021 whole Rogers Cup MVP, basically a rocket.
Molly O'Hehir; a lot like Kaitlyn Srhoj, 177cm winger, great runner, already had some 20-plus possession games in the seniors as a 15 year old.
Zoe Keley; 183cm, skinny tall, but fast with skills. Hasn't gotten a senior game yet, should change soon.
Leila Fotu; Alira's sister, 175cm, got skills and brains like Charlie Thomas but hasn't shown great speed. If she's not actually quick, that's a problem. But she's Alira's sister, so she MUST have speed, right? If she starts to show it, could be anything.
2025 draft;
Alira Fotu; scary talent, tall, fast, strong, great mark, huge kick, could be one of the best forwards in the AFLW.
Ella Matthews; tallish winger, very quick, good skills. Faster than Srhoj or O'Hehir.
Renee Morgan; Haven't seen her play yet, but she won the RC team's MVP ahead of Matthews as a 14 year old, and if she's better than Matthews, she must be good.

East Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Zippy Fish; best case scenario, could turn into something like Monique Conti. Enough said.
Taya Chambers; 175cm halfback/winger, super fast, great intercept mark, great skills. Was among the Sharks' best in the Grand Final loss as a 16 year old.
Natasha Entwistle; often confused with Chambers (by me), nearly identical attributes, just not as developed. Yet.
Tiani Teakle; Julia's sister (Port Adelaide) tallish forward, very strong, very smart. Question mark only on her mobility.
2025 draft;
Alicia Blizard; 176cm as a 14 year old, crazy athlete, better agility than most mids, huge leap, great mark and kick. Could dominate either forward or back.

Peel Thunder has a bunch who could develop fast but I haven't seen much of yet. The outstanding ones are;
2024 Draft;
Jorja Haines; balanced mid, very good at everything without being brilliant.
Kate Newson; 187cm ruck, hasn't had a senior game yet, but looks more agile than Lackay. Skills need work, but big leap and good hands.
2025 draft;
Evie Cowcher; big talent, 173cm, big mark, athletic, all round footballer at either end. I think was Peel's RC team MVP as a 14 year old (see the trend yet?)

Much appreciated and thank you.

 

[Biggie]

Lots of projections being made about where we'll be in two or three years. In which case we need to consider the 2024 and '25 drafts. Some of these may obviously quit, take up other sports, run away to Korea to marry entire boybands, etc, BUT here are 25 players from '24 and '25 drafts who I'm pretty sure will get drafted by SOMEONE, if they stick with it. This is a very incomplete list, but I think most of these will end up better than the bottom two thirds of the Eagles' current list. In other words, a friendly warning not to get too attached to our current players...

Claremont;
2024 draft;
Claudia Wright; absolute rocket, hard running 173cm mid, great at everything except accurate kicking.
Ella Slocombe; smallish mid, not the same athletic gifts as Wright, but very clever, can find the goals.
Bec Anderson; tall forward, great agility, hasn't gotten a senior game yet but leading goal scorer for Rogers Cup team.
2025 draft;
Juliet Kelly, I haven't seen her play yet, but she's listed at 169cm, will obviously get taller, played 12 RC games this season in a good side, was named among the best in 10 of them -- the only two she wasn't were her first two. I think she was the Claremont RC team's MVP as a 14 year old.

Subiaco;
2025 draft;
Olivia Wolmarans, possibly the best WA prospect since Ella Roberts. 181cm as a 14 year old, can literally play any position on the ground; excellent runner, great speed, almost unstoppable mark, could almost certainly be an Olympic basketballer if she weren't a footballer.
Olivia Crane; Also very tall, would be a real standout if she weren't on the same team as Wolmarans, very agile and clever. Likely to be a very good traditional tall.

Swan Districts; Has a bunch of interesting players; but the one who stands out is;
2025 draft;
Carys D'Addario, key forward/midfielder, super strong for her age, bit of Jasmine Garner about her. Swans RC team MVP as a 14 year old.

West Perth;
2024 draft;
Megan Norbury, terrific outside mid, very fast, silky skills, reminds me of Georgia Patrikios.
2025 draft;
Mia Russo, fast, balanced mid, super evasive, great skills. She won the entire Roger's Cup competition's MVP as a 14 year old (it's a trend, the kids get better as they get younger)
Leuca Krmpotic; Skills and mobility like a midfielder, but already 175cm at 14. Again, it's a trend.

South Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Noa McNaughton, small mid, won 2021 whole Rogers Cup MVP, basically a rocket.
Molly O'Hehir; a lot like Kaitlyn Srhoj, 177cm winger, great runner, already had some 20-plus possession games in the seniors as a 15 year old.
Zoe Keley; 183cm, skinny tall, but fast with skills. Hasn't gotten a senior game yet, should change soon.
Leila Fotu; Alira's sister, 175cm, got skills and brains like Charlie Thomas but hasn't shown great speed. If she's not actually quick, that's a problem. But she's Alira's sister, so she MUST have speed, right? If she starts to show it, could be anything.
2025 draft;
Alira Fotu; scary talent, tall, fast, strong, great mark, huge kick, could be one of the best forwards in the AFLW.
Ella Matthews; tallish winger, very quick, good skills. Faster than Srhoj or O'Hehir.
Renee Morgan; Haven't seen her play yet, but she won the RC team's MVP ahead of Matthews as a 14 year old, and if she's better than Matthews, she must be good.

East Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Zippy Fish; best case scenario, could turn into something like Monique Conti. Enough said.
Taya Chambers; 175cm halfback/winger, super fast, great intercept mark, great skills. Was among the Sharks' best in the Grand Final loss as a 16 year old.
Natasha Entwistle; often confused with Chambers (by me), nearly identical attributes, just not as developed. Yet.
Tiani Teakle; Julia's sister (Port Adelaide) tallish forward, very strong, very smart. Question mark only on her mobility.
2025 draft;
Alicia Blizard; 176cm as a 14 year old, crazy athlete, better agility than most mids, huge leap, great mark and kick. Could dominate either forward or back.

Peel Thunder has a bunch who could develop fast but I haven't seen much of yet. The outstanding ones are;
2024 Draft;
Jorja Haines; balanced mid, very good at everything without being brilliant.
Kate Newson; 187cm ruck, hasn't had a senior game yet, but looks more agile than Lackay. Skills need work, but big leap and good hands.
2025 draft;
Evie Cowcher; big talent, 173cm, big mark, athletic, all round footballer at either end. I think was Peel's RC team MVP as a 14 year old (see the trend yet?)

Agree with everything here except the “should be as fast as her sister”

This is simply not true. I don’t know about the players I question but I’ve been around plenty siblings where one is nowhere near as fast as the other. Megan Norburys older sister for example. Nowhere near as quick nor the same tank.

 

[Livin1989]

Lots of projections being made about where we'll be in two or three years. In which case we need to consider the 2024 and '25 drafts. Some of these may obviously quit, take up other sports, run away to Korea to marry entire boybands, etc, BUT here are 25 players from '24 and '25 drafts who I'm pretty sure will get drafted by SOMEONE, if they stick with it. This is a very incomplete list, but I think most of these will end up better than the bottom two thirds of the Eagles' current list. In other words, a friendly warning not to get too attached to our current players...

Claremont;
2024 draft;
Claudia Wright; absolute rocket, hard running 173cm mid, great at everything except accurate kicking.
Ella Slocombe; smallish mid, not the same athletic gifts as Wright, but very clever, can find the goals.
Bec Anderson; tall forward, great agility, hasn't gotten a senior game yet but leading goal scorer for Rogers Cup team.
2025 draft;
Juliet Kelly, I haven't seen her play yet, but she's listed at 169cm, will obviously get taller, played 12 RC games this season in a good side, was named among the best in 10 of them -- the only two she wasn't were her first two. I think she was the Claremont RC team's MVP as a 14 year old.

Subiaco;
2025 draft;
Olivia Wolmarans, possibly the best WA prospect since Ella Roberts. 181cm as a 14 year old, can literally play any position on the ground; excellent runner, great speed, almost unstoppable mark, could almost certainly be an Olympic basketballer if she weren't a footballer.
Olivia Crane; Also very tall, would be a real standout if she weren't on the same team as Wolmarans, very agile and clever. Likely to be a very good traditional tall.

Swan Districts; Has a bunch of interesting players; but the one who stands out is;
2025 draft;
Carys D'Addario, key forward/midfielder, super strong for her age, bit of Jasmine Garner about her. Swans RC team MVP as a 14 year old.

West Perth;
2024 draft;
Megan Norbury, terrific outside mid, very fast, silky skills, reminds me of Georgia Patrikios.
2025 draft;
Mia Russo, fast, balanced mid, super evasive, great skills. She won the entire Roger's Cup competition's MVP as a 14 year old (it's a trend, the kids get better as they get younger)
Leuca Krmpotic; Skills and mobility like a midfielder, but already 175cm at 14. Again, it's a trend.

South Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Noa McNaughton, small mid, won 2021 whole Rogers Cup MVP, basically a rocket.
Molly O'Hehir; a lot like Kaitlyn Srhoj, 177cm winger, great runner, already had some 20-plus possession games in the seniors as a 15 year old.
Zoe Keley; 183cm, skinny tall, but fast with skills. Hasn't gotten a senior game yet, should change soon.
Leila Fotu; Alira's sister, 175cm, got skills and brains like Charlie Thomas but hasn't shown great speed. If she's not actually quick, that's a problem. But she's Alira's sister, so she MUST have speed, right? If she starts to show it, could be anything.
2025 draft;
Alira Fotu; scary talent, tall, fast, strong, great mark, huge kick, could be one of the best forwards in the AFLW.
Ella Matthews; tallish winger, very quick, good skills. Faster than Srhoj or O'Hehir.
Renee Morgan; Haven't seen her play yet, but she won the RC team's MVP ahead of Matthews as a 14 year old, and if she's better than Matthews, she must be good.

East Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Zippy Fish; best case scenario, could turn into something like Monique Conti. Enough said.
Taya Chambers; 175cm halfback/winger, super fast, great intercept mark, great skills. Was among the Sharks' best in the Grand Final loss as a 16 year old.
Natasha Entwistle; often confused with Chambers (by me), nearly identical attributes, just not as developed. Yet.
Tiani Teakle; Julia's sister (Port Adelaide) tallish forward, very strong, very smart. Question mark only on her mobility.
2025 draft;
Alicia Blizard; 176cm as a 14 year old, crazy athlete, better agility than most mids, huge leap, great mark and kick. Could dominate either forward or back.

Peel Thunder has a bunch who could develop fast but I haven't seen much of yet. The outstanding ones are;
2024 Draft;
Jorja Haines; balanced mid, very good at everything without being brilliant.
Kate Newson; 187cm ruck, hasn't had a senior game yet, but looks more agile than Lackay. Skills need work, but big leap and good hands.
2025 draft;
Evie Cowcher; big talent, 173cm, big mark, athletic, all round footballer at either end. I think was Peel's RC team MVP as a 14 year old (see the trend yet?)

Great insight nate, this is a lot to try and digest all at once. I did manage to watch a little bit of the WA VS WA teams on YouTube and Alira Foti was an absolute freak up forward ... My word.

The only downside to this is we will have to divvy them up with the purps and potentially lose some to interstate. What I'm hoping happens is both West Coast and Cockburn end up very strong and dominate the comp. But the purps always lose to us in the grand final

 

[AlphaSheep]

Agree with everything here except the “should be as fast as her sister”

This is simply not true. I don’t know about the players I question but I’ve been around plenty siblings where one is nowhere near as fast as the other. Megan Norburys older sister for example. Nowhere near as quick nor the same tank.

I was being rhetorical, but sure. Leila's interesting because she LOOKS like she ought to be fast, very lean, can move pretty well sometimes, then gets run down at others. Sometimes the kids just aren't well conditioned, even Claudia Wright was plodding at the end of the season, just worn out. And even Zippy needs better conditioning, choosing to kick sometimes when the coaches all want her to run, because she's just tired. I think it's too early to tell if Leila is slow, or just needs more work. If the latter, she could be terrific, because she might have the best disposal on this list.

 

[AlphaSheep]

Great insight nate, this is a lot to try and digest all at once. I did manage to watch a little bit of the WA VS WA teams on YouTube and Alira Foti was an absolute freak up forward ... My word.

The only downside to this is we will have to divvy them up with the purps and potentially lose some to interstate. What I'm hoping happens is both West Coast and Cockburn end up very strong and dominate the comp. But the purps always lose to us in the grand final

The only thing anyone really needs to take in is that the Eagles and Dockers lineups will change drastically from 2024 onwards. This is the reason East Perth is entering the WAFLW, which in any other circumstance would look like a stupid thing to do, with West Perth still getting flogged all last season. But they're rushing the expansion because they have to, there's so many kids coming through they're about to run out of list space real fast.

 

[Livin1989]

The only thing anyone really needs to take in is that the Eagles and Dockers lineups will change drastically from 2024 onwards. This is the reason East Perth is entering the WAFLW, which in any other circumstance would look like a stupid thing to do, with West Perth still getting flogged all last season. But they're rushing the expansion because they have to, there's so many kids coming through they're about to run out of list space real fast.

I wonder how our crop in those draft years stacks up compared to the Vic's....any insight? I will try not to get too attached but I just know this will break my heart at some point, how many on the current list do you think will remain?

 

[Biggie]

This is the reason East Perth is entering the WAFLW,

Also allowed them to dissolve the ressies comp without the uproar of last season when they tried to do it

 

[Biggie]

I wonder how our crop in those draft years stacks up compared to the Vic's....any insight? I will try not to get too attached but I just know this will break my heart at some point, how many on the current list do you think will remain?

Depends on how many of these kids can actually step up or even want to step up.

Also it’s not unreasonable to think we could have a National draft soon…. But probably unlikely for another 5 yrs

 

[Livin1989]

Depends on how many of these kids can actually step up or even want to step up.

Also it’s not unreasonable to think we could have a National draft soon…. But probably unlikely for another 5 yrs

That was the other thought I had too, there have been a lot of talented kids that were earmarked to do great things at the elite level in lots of sports because of how dominant they were in junior comps. That then fizzled out or they developed/peaked early and looked far better than they actually were. Gonna be interesting to watch and see regardless.

There won't be a National draft until it's fully professional and with a full season I don't think. Or at least I hope. Within 5 would be nice!

 

[AlphaSheep]

I wonder how our crop in those draft years stacks up compared to the Vic's....any insight? I will try not to get too attached but I just know this will break my heart at some point, how many on the current list do you think will remain?

Can't follow the Vics too! It's why I don't write for the Roar anymore, it was easy when the AFLW was 8 or 10 teams, but now it's crazy, and the quality of other writers is actually good now, it's too much work to keep up. We'll see where the Vics are at in the u18 state champs, which we might not win next year, but should be a good shot at in 2024.

As for how many will survive, I guess it depends how many kids the coaches think is too many too fast, for team balance. They might draw the line at eight per draft, but any less will risk letting some seriously good players go. Eight players each, two years in a row, that's 16 gone in two years. Then again, maybe the Vic and NSW teams will come poaching and thin out the selections...

Either way, WC and Freo will look basically like high school teams for a while.

 

[Livin1989]

Can't follow the Vics too! It's why I don't write for the Roar anymore, it was easy when the AFLW was 8 or 10 teams, but now it's crazy, and the quality of other writers is actually good now, it's too much work to keep up. We'll see where the Vics are at in the u18 state champs, which we might not win next year, but should be a good shot at in 2024.

As for how many will survive, I guess it depends how many kids the coaches think is too many too fast, for team balance. They might draw the line at eight per draft, but any less will risk letting some seriously good players go. Eight players each, two years in a row, that's 16 gone in two years. Then again, maybe the Vic and NSW teams will come poaching and thin out the selections...

Either way, WC and Freo will look basically like high school teams for a while.

I'm absolutely fine with that... Means in 4/5/6 years we'll have a team consisting almost exclusively of women in the early to mid 20's absolutely peaking and rampaging

 

[AlphaSheep]

I'm absolutely fine with that... Means in 4/5/6 years we'll have a team consisting almost exclusively of women in the early to mid 20's absolutely peaking and rampaging

Yep. I think there's a level of play coming in the AFLW that will make even today's Brisbane team look ordinary. I reckon Roberts, Fotu and Wolmarans in the one forward line might be it.

And if you don't want to get sad at losing favorite existing players, just watch some WAFLW in the off-season. Get attached to the kids in advance, then it won't be like losing a friend, but reuniting with one.

 

[Livin1989]

Yep. I think there's a level of play coming in the AFLW that will make even today's Brisbane team look ordinary. I reckon Roberts, Fotu and Wolmarans in the one forward line might be it.

And if you don't want to get sad at losing favorite existing players, just watch some WAFLW in the off-season. Get attached to the kids in advance, then it won't be like losing a friend, but reuniting with one.

But, but, that's what I did with the young ones that just came in I'll see how many games I can fit in on a FIFO schedule but I'm keen.

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

Lots of projections being made about where we'll be in two or three years. In which case we need to consider the 2024 and '25 drafts. Some of these may obviously quit, take up other sports, run away to Korea to marry entire boybands, etc, BUT here are 25 players from '24 and '25 drafts who I'm pretty sure will get drafted by SOMEONE, if they stick with it. This is a very incomplete list, but I think most of these will end up better than the bottom two thirds of the Eagles' current list. In other words, a friendly warning not to get too attached to our current players...

Claremont;
2024 draft;
Claudia Wright; absolute rocket, hard running 173cm mid, great at everything except accurate kicking.
Ella Slocombe; smallish mid, not the same athletic gifts as Wright, but very clever, can find the goals.
Bec Anderson; tall forward, great agility, hasn't gotten a senior game yet but leading goal scorer for Rogers Cup team.
2025 draft;
Juliet Kelly, I haven't seen her play yet, but she's listed at 169cm, will obviously get taller, played 12 RC games this season in a good side, was named among the best in 10 of them -- the only two she wasn't were her first two. I think she was the Claremont RC team's MVP as a 14 year old.

Subiaco;
2025 draft;
Olivia Wolmarans, possibly the best WA prospect since Ella Roberts. 181cm as a 14 year old, can literally play any position on the ground; excellent runner, great speed, almost unstoppable mark, could almost certainly be an Olympic basketballer if she weren't a footballer.
Olivia Crane; Also very tall, would be a real standout if she weren't on the same team as Wolmarans, very agile and clever. Likely to be a very good traditional tall.

Swan Districts; Has a bunch of interesting players; but the one who stands out is;
2025 draft;
Carys D'Addario, key forward/midfielder, super strong for her age, bit of Jasmine Garner about her. Swans RC team MVP as a 14 year old.

West Perth;
2024 draft;
Megan Norbury, terrific outside mid, very fast, silky skills, reminds me of Georgia Patrikios.
2025 draft;
Mia Russo, fast, balanced mid, super evasive, great skills. She won the entire Roger's Cup competition's MVP as a 14 year old (it's a trend, the kids get better as they get younger)
Leuca Krmpotic; Skills and mobility like a midfielder, but already 175cm at 14. Again, it's a trend.

South Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Noa McNaughton, small mid, won 2021 whole Rogers Cup MVP, basically a rocket.
Molly O'Hehir; a lot like Kaitlyn Srhoj, 177cm winger, great runner, already had some 20-plus possession games in the seniors as a 15 year old.
Zoe Keley; 183cm, skinny tall, but fast with skills. Hasn't gotten a senior game yet, should change soon.
Leila Fotu; Alira's sister, 175cm, got skills and brains like Charlie Thomas but hasn't shown great speed. If she's not actually quick, that's a problem. But she's Alira's sister, so she MUST have speed, right? If she starts to show it, could be anything.
2025 draft;
Alira Fotu; scary talent, tall, fast, strong, great mark, huge kick, could be one of the best forwards in the AFLW.
Ella Matthews; tallish winger, very quick, good skills. Faster than Srhoj or O'Hehir.
Renee Morgan; Haven't seen her play yet, but she won the RC team's MVP ahead of Matthews as a 14 year old, and if she's better than Matthews, she must be good.

East Fremantle;
2024 draft;
Zippy Fish; best case scenario, could turn into something like Monique Conti. Enough said.
Taya Chambers; 175cm halfback/winger, super fast, great intercept mark, great skills. Was among the Sharks' best in the Grand Final loss as a 16 year old.
Natasha Entwistle; often confused with Chambers (by me), nearly identical attributes, just not as developed. Yet.
Tiani Teakle; Julia's sister (Port Adelaide) tallish forward, very strong, very smart. Question mark only on her mobility.
2025 draft;
Alicia Blizard; 176cm as a 14 year old, crazy athlete, better agility than most mids, huge leap, great mark and kick. Could dominate either forward or back.

Peel Thunder has a bunch who could develop fast but I haven't seen much of yet. The outstanding ones are;
2024 Draft;
Jorja Haines; balanced mid, very good at everything without being brilliant.
Kate Newson; 187cm ruck, hasn't had a senior game yet, but looks more agile than Lackay. Skills need work, but big leap and good hands.
2025 draft;
Evie Cowcher; big talent, 173cm, big mark, athletic, all round footballer at either end. I think was Peel's RC team MVP as a 14 year old (see the trend yet?)

Thanks - excellent early insights