Women’s Footy on Fox previews top AFLW draft prospects from NSW/ACT and Queensland

Originally published by Fox Footy.

THE AFLW U/18 Championships culminated last week on the Gold Coast.

Over the next three weeks, Women’s Footy on Fox will be previewing some of the best prospects for this year’s draft.

We start by looking at the talent pool from NSW/ACT and Queensland.

As the AFLW draft pools are state-based, the best NSW/ACT talent is likely to head to GWS, with the top Queensland prospects likely off to Brisbane.

ALYCE PARKER (NSW/ACT)

What kind of player is she?

An all-class midfielder who is as polished as they come.

All-Australian selector Kate Sheahan’s take

“She’s a beautiful outside midfielder who’s got this left foot to die for. She seemed to always be in the right spots and then delivered the ball beautifully off that left foot. She just seems to know where to go. She’s quite a tall girl, but has great run.”

How will she fit in at the Giants?

Parker could either slot straight into GWS’ midfield mix or initially fill a role off either the half forward or half back flank. Her skills and smarts would complement All-Australian midfielder Jess Dal Pos beautifully around the ball. The Giants need more class around the footy to help out Dal Pos, Emma Swanson, the returning Renee Forth and recruit Alicia Eva — Parker fits the bill.

HANEEN ZREIKA (NSW/ACT)

What kind of player is she?

A rugby convert and inside midfielder who isn’t afraid to put her body on the line.

All-Australian selector Kate Sheahan’s take

“She a good inside midfielder who’s really good below her knees. She’s tough and hard and has a great base and good lateral movement, all of those things you want to see in an inside midfielder.”

How will she fit in at the Giants?

You can never have enough hard-nosed ballwinners. A tough inside midfielder with a clever sidestep, Zreika would give the Giants extra power at the stoppages, helping to feed their classy outside players. Adelaide’s Ebony Marinoff and Melbourne’s Lily Mithen both shone in the inaugural AFLW season when they were given opportunities on the ball — Zreika could easily fall into this category too.

KALINDA HOWARTH (QLD)

What kind of player is she?

A tough as nails forward who can take the game on.

All-Australian selector Kate Sheahan’s take

“Kalinda Howarth is the X factor. She has the green boots but she backs it up with her ability to do anything, whether it’s in the air or on the ground. She just does things that make you go, ‘wow’. She stands out as a high forward.”

How will she fit in at the Lions?

With Tayla Harris (Carlton) departing in the trade period, the Lions need to bolster their forward line stocks. Howarth’s combination of athleticism, toughness and ability to do the special things — in a similar vein to AFL men’s player Eric Hipwood — would help her slot straight into Brisbane’s forward mix. Howarth would also complement Sabrina Frederick-Traub and recruit Bella Ayre perfectly as the three taller players inside 50 — with smalls Kate McCarthy and Kaitlyn Ashmore there to provide speed.

LAUREN BELLA (QLD)

What kind of player is she?

The archetype for a modern day ruckman — athletic, highly skilled and can run all day.

All-Australian selector Kate Sheahan’s take

“She stood out to me as being probably the most equipped ruck in the competition. She really understood her tap zones and used her hands really well. She’s the athletic type I think the AFLW are looking for. She’s great below her knees for a tall girl.”

How will she fit in at the Lions?

Having a dominant ruckman would help the Lions’ midfield — which lacks big names but works incredibly well as a unit — get on the front foot and be more aggressive around the stoppages. Bella’s elite tapwork would see her fit straight into the ruck role, currently filled by the undersized Sharni Webb and would allow Frederick-Traub to spend more time up forward.