IT'S NO secret that North Melbourne superstar Ashleigh Riddell battled to get her shot at AFLW level. Overlooked in the first two drafts, Riddell got her lifeline when the Roos joined the competition in 2019 and inaugural coach Scott Gowans signed her via free agency.
Since then, the midfielder has gone from strength to strength, twice named in the All-Australian side and is North Melbourne's reigning best and fairest winner. She was the competition's leading ball winner last season with 322 disposals and broke the record for most touches in a single match with 42. Her tough, relentless style of play sets up her side from the source.
Essentially, Riddell is the poster child of what players can do if they are simply given an opportunity.
Last season it was Tara Bohanna who seemingly came from the clouds. Added to Gold Coast's list as an inactive replacement player, Bohanna went on to kick 13 goals for the season, including three in the side's round two win over West Coast to end 672 days without victory. Six months later, Bohanna is captaining the side in season seven.
The forward trod a similar path to Riddell, toiling away in the state league and repeatedly undrafted, but took the competition by storm when offered a chance.
This season, two players are already raising their hands to take that mantle.
Eilish Sheerin was drafted to Richmond with pick No.58 back in June. A 29-year-old rebounding defender out of the Inner West Magpies, Sheerin was a train-on player with GWS before finally being added to the Tigers' primary list.
In her first game against Geelong on Sunday, Sheerin was Richmond's standout performer. Dashing out of the defensive half, she gathered 19 disposals, including 17 contested possessions and broke the record for most intercepts on debut with 17. Her efforts were also recognised by the competing coaches, earning six AFLCA votes.
The day prior, Gowans unveiled another of his finds in Sydney's inaugural AFLW match: Lauren Szigeti.
Disappointed after missing out on multiple draft nights, Szigeti got to work. Playing across both the Darebin Falcons and Hawthorn's VFLW side, she focused on improving her fitness to catch the eye of recruiters. Signed to the Swans' list during the expansion period, Szigeti's work ethic and passion ultimately saw her named as one of three co-captains and in the first 21.
Playing through the midfield, Szigeti won eight clearances – the most on the ground – and, importantly, drove the ball forward whenever possible. Her relentless presence around the stoppages set Sydney up through the middle of the ground and was one of her side's best.
If Riddell, Bohanna, Sheerin, and Szigeti have shown us anything, it's that there is no one way to AFLW level. While junior talent pathways have been a vital part of growing the women's game and have produced incredible players across the country, there are still gems to be found elsewhere. Gems that only need to be given an opportunity to shine.
