AFLW “Showdown” gives potential draftees chance to shine
A second women’s “Showdown” will be played this Sunday and Messenger News has compiled a list of draft hopefuls set to light up the field.
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SA’s top AFLW draft prospects have one official match left to light up the field in front of club recruiters with the final women’s “Showdown” to be played at Alberton Oval on Sunday.
The eight SANFLW clubs are split into “Crows” and “Power” teams for the exhibition match, aimed at showcasing the state’s best players not on AFLW lists.
The “Showdown” will kick off at 11.55am and act as a curtain-raiser to the Port v Glenelg SANFL clash.
Sturt, North Adelaide, Glenelg and Central District players will represent Adelaide, while those from West Adelaide, reigning premiers South Adelaide, Norwood and Woodville-West Torrens will be in Power guernseys.
SANFL’s female programs talent manager Robbie Neill said interstate recruiters would also be looking at SA’s talent with Richmond, Gold Coast, West Coast and St Kilda entering the AFLW in 2020.
“These showcase matches … will give the Crows a closer look at what talent is available,” Neill said.
“AFLW clubs interstate are now diversifying their recruiting strategies and looking at states like South Australia that have ready-made players via a strong state league competition.”
Messenger News sports reporter Daniela Abbracciavento compiled a list of players to watch during the exhibition game and ahead of the October 23 AFLW draft:
Amber Ward (North Adelaide)
Ward had a strong SANFLW season with North Adelaide, helping the Roosters to the grand final.
A reliable key defender who not only competes well at ground level but is exceptional overhead averaged five rebound-50s across 10 minor round games this season.
The 17-year-old finished third in North’s best and fairest count.
She took that form into last week’s AFLW under-18 national championships with the Central Allies, polling in the best players in two out of the three games.
Strengths: Overhead marking, spoiling and one-on-one defending
Najwa Allen (Norwood)
Allen claimed the SANFLW’s best and fairest and was the clear stand-out during this past campaign.
The Redlegs recruited the 25-year-old from Canberra. She averaged 25.4 disposals per game across 10 minor rounds.
The reliable midfielder always had the trust of her defenders, floating back more times than not to assist when needed.
She also worked her way into the forward line and booted seven goals for the season.
Strengths: Two-way running & football smarts
Hannah Dunn (Norwood)
The strongly-built midfielder rarely goes to ground in a contest.
Dunn, also from Canberra, enjoyed a breakout season with Norwood, averaging 20.9 disposals a game, while kicking five goals for the season.
The 27-year-old’s ability to win a contested ball and release a handball to an outside runner in traffic is second to none.
Dunn hits targets by hand and by foot, giving her teammates first use of the football.
Strengths: Wins the contested ball and football smarts
Montana McKinnon
McKinnon is an up-and-coming ruck at 183cm.
The 18-year-old backed up a superb SANFLW season after being named the Central Allies’ MVP at last week’s AFLW under-18 national championships.
The Panthers premiership player was not only dominant in the ruck during the national championships but also provided several important intercept marks inside defensive 50. McKinnon is clearly an emerging leader, captaining both SA and the Central Allies in the recent AFLW under-18 national championship campaigns.
Strengths: Overhead marking and stoppage taps
Hannah Munyard (South Adelaide)
Munyard is an outstanding ball winner, averaging 16.3 touches at 75 per cent efficiency for South Adelaide during the 2019 SANFLW season.
The 17-year-old’s ability to win her own contested ball, weave through traffic with poise and either deliver to an outside runner by hand or inside 50 by foot is at elite level.
Munyard also has a high work rate, making two-way running a priority.
Strengths: wins the contested ball and two-way running
Nicole Campbell (South Adelaide)
Campbell enjoyed a solid debut season with Norwood in 2018 before switching to the Panthers and lining up with South in its flag win this year.
The 25-year-old was one of South’s most consistent performers, averaging 15.1 disposals across 10 minor rounds.
Campbell’s work rate all around the ground was a stand-out.
She began her SANFLW career as a half-back flanker in 2018 but spent more time in the midfield this year with the Panthers.
Campbell gave her forwards plenty of service with an accurate left foot.
Strengths: Kicking and two-way running
Chelsea Biddell (West Adelaide)
Biddell played predominantly as a key forward for West Adelaide this season and was strong in one-on-one marking contests.
The 21-year-old is also known for creating strong leads and kicking for goal from long range.
Biddell finished with 14 majors for the season and averaged 12.3 possessions across eight game.
Strengths: Marking and set-shot goal kicking
Madison Newman (West Adelaide)
Newman has enjoyed a super year, finishing runner-up in West Adelaide’s SANFLW best and fairest.
The 18-year-old played half-back for the Bloods and averaged 18.7 possessions and hit a target 99 per cent of the time with an accurate right foot.
Newman’s ability to read the play up the field and her intercept marking carried into the AFLW under-18 national championships, where she was a stand-out in defence.
Strengths: kicking and football smarts
Jaimi Tabb (Woodville-West Torrens)
Tabb is a perfectly-built midfielder that is always reliable and a tackle machine.
She’s a prolific contested ball winner around stoppages and continued her strong form from SANFLW season with Woodville West Torrens into the AFLW under-18 national championships.
The 18-year-old works incredibly hard, both attacking and defending, and will leave nothing in the tank on game days.
Strengths: Wins contested ball
Kiana Lee (Woodville-West Torrens)
Lee played mainly as a forward for Woodville-West Torrens over the past season and booted nine goals from 10 matches.
At 173cm, the 17-year-old’s ability to play as a tall or small forward is what makes her a dangerous player.
Lee played a slightly different role at the AFLW under-18 national championships, being pushed up the ground as a connector.
Her football smarts is also high for a player so young.
Strengths: Overhead marking and goal sense
