Bendigo Pioneers Female Talent Coordinator Emma Tomlins gives her thoughts on the club's upcoming U18 girls season.
2018 FINISH: 12th (1-8 record)
2018 BEST AND FAIREST: Megan Williamson
FORMER PLAYERS ON AFLW LISTS:
Selected in 2017: Eden Zanker (Melbourne)
2019 HEAD COACH: Shawn McCormick (third season)
2019 SEASON START: vs GWV Rebels @ RAMS Arena, Saturday March 2
TOP 2019 AFLW DRAFT PROSPECTS
Jordyn Jolliffe (local club – Woorinen): "Jordyn was in the AFL Women's Academy last year, but she hurt her back in Round 1 and has had a year off recovering. She's coming back as a 19-year-old. She has a mean right-foot kick and great footy knowledge; she just has to build up a bit of fitness this season. We're going to try playing her both forward and back."
Maddy Baldwin (Cohuna): "Maddy hurt her knee late last season and we haven't seen a lot of her yet this pre-season, but she should be good to go by Round 1. She's one of those players that just gets the job done and stands out when you don't think she's going to."
POTENTIAL DRAFT SURPRISE PACKETS
Bree Heiden (Golden Square): "Bree won last year's netball Rising Star award for the Bendigo FNL. We've been working on her kicking style and she's come a long way. She has a really good spring on her as well. We reckon that by the end of the season she'll be one to look out for."
Audrey James (Deniliquin): "We've only seen Audrey play a couple of games, but she's really stood out. She's such an accurate kick; I haven't seen her actually miss a target yet."
16/17YO PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jemma Finning (17yo in 2019, Kangaroo Flat): "Jemma is quite athletic and she's dedicated to doing a fair bit in the gym to build up her motor. She'll play in the middle of the ground or on a wing."
Tara Slender (17yo, Strathfieldsaye): "Tara is very good at karate and has won the National All Styles Championships. She's quite tall and she has a good spring, so she'll probably be played a little bit in the ruck and a little bit in the back line."
Jayda Richardson (16yo, Tatura): "Jayda has played state basketball and she'll be one to look out for. This is only her second year of footy, but she's really stood out and she's really well built."
LEADERSHIP MATERIAL
"I'd be looking at Jordyn Jolliffe (see above), Maddy Baldwin (see above), Bree Heiden (see above), Eloise Gretgrix (18yo, Kangaroo Flat) and Jemma Finning (see above) as potential members of our leadership group."
TEAM STRENGTHS
"We probably have a bit more passion this year – a bit more 'go' about us. We were quite a young side last year with a lot of 16-year-olds, but those girls now have a year under their belt and that's going to help them a lot. We believe we should win a few more games this year because of that experience."
