THE NAME K. Bartlett is synonymous with football, with the great Richmond forward continuing to have a role in the game as a broadcaster. AFLW could have its own version running around the forward line next year.
Kate Bartlett, who turns 18 next month, is a promising key forward for Peel Thunderbirds in the WAWFL.
But with the state-based drafts in play, Fremantle could lose access to Bartlett, who is open to a move interstate to further her chances of selection.
She's more than capable of kicking bags of goals, which Western Australia under-18 coach Trent Cooper attributes to her excellent attacking instincts.
"Kate's different to most girls in that she's got really great goal sense, and she actually kicks goals," Cooper said.
"We've been working on developing other aspects of her game, including her forward pressure, with a view to her taking that talent and impacting at AFLW level.
"She's so much smarter than a lot of the girls she plays against. She can get away with things and score the goals she might not be able to in the AFLW.
"We have to keep her doing the things she does well, and add a few things to her game so it'll stand up at the next level."
Bartlett credits her older brother Josh with starting her football career.
"Ever since I could walk, my brother made sure I had a football in my hands," Bartlett said in between matches during the last phase of the NAB AFL Women's Under-18 Championships on the Gold Coast.
"Then I started Auskick with boys at the Safety Bay Stingers, which is where [Adelaide co-captain] Chelsea Randall originally played. I stopped playing in about year six, and then I started up again in youth girls when I went to high school."
Adept at playing either out of the goalsquare or roaming across half-forward, Bartlett kicked seven goals against NSW/ACT in an early match in this year's under-18s series.
A member of the NAB AFLW Academy, Bartlett has thrived under the tutelage of her role model, Western Bulldogs captain and forward Katie Brennan.
"Obviously she plays in the forward line like I do. Some of the stuff she was saying to me was mind-blowing.
"She opened my eyes to what I need to do in the forward line, whether that's positioning on the ground, where to run or where to kick the ball."
She was an avid watcher of the first AFLW season, taking in every single game over the eight-week season.
"I loved it, especially the first game. Just seeing how many people were there It gave me goose bumps.
"And seeing the likes of Tayla Harris play gives us role models and people to look up to."
Bartlett appears taller than her 170cm when on the field, out-positioning her opponents and stretching well above her head to pull down marks.
She's agile at ground level, and seems to be equally comfortable snapping goals as she does slotting set-shots.
"I like that adrenaline rush you get when you kick a goal and playing with your mates is really fun," she said.
Bartlett is in year 12 at Kolbe Catholic College in Rockingham (a southern suburb of Perth), and while still undecided about what to study at university, is considering sports management or high school teaching (specialising in physical education and English).
Cooper said Bartlett's work ethic will stand her in good stead if drafted for the 2018 season.
"Her skills are elite, and that's not by accident. As soon as training is finished, a lot of the other girls are off and done, but Kate is working on her skills, having shots at goal.
"She's very skilful and smart and she's a willing learner."
The NAB AFL Women's Draft will be held in Melbourne on October 18, with a live stream on AFL.com.au/womens from 12pm.
