AFLW draft: 20 players to watch at youth level in 2021

Tahlia Gillard is one of the most versatile players in this year’s AFLW draft. But where does she rank among her rivals? See the top 20 prospects.

Keep your eyes on Charlie Rowbottom, of Oakleigh Chargers, and Georgie Prespakis, sister of Carlton AFLW star Madison and of Calder Cannons. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

As women’s football continues to grow in popularity, more and more talented juniors are emerging from the pack.

Chris Cavanagh picked the brain of AFLW Academy coach Tarkyn Lockyer on who the next generation of AFLW stars could be.

Here’s 20 names to watch in 2021.

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Maykaylah Appleby (Vic Metro/Northern Knights)

Classy player who spends most of her time on a wing. Damaging ball user who reads the play well and makes great decisions.

Ashanti Bush (NT/Darwin FC)

Dangerous forward with good goal sense. Showed her talent with a standout performance for Team Ponter in the NT All-stars match in 2020.

Kicking goals is a sixth sense for Ashanti Bush. Picture: Che Chorley

Nyakoat Dojiok (Vic Country/GWV Rebels)

Developing defender who loves to take the game on. Genuine speed and power which allows her to attack the ball in the air.

Jessica Doyle (NSW/ACT/Manly Warringah/Swans)

Exciting prospect from Sydney. Classy forward who knows how to hit the scoreboard. Member of the Manly Warringah premiership team in 2020.

Amy Franklin (WA/Claremont)

Highly rated defender from Claremont. A strong marking player who possesses genuine speed. Franklin has been a big improver over the past couple of seasons.

Ella Friend (Vic Country/GWV Rebels)

Small forward who is very dangerous around goals. Works hard and applies plenty of pressure on the ball to lock it in the forward line.

Tahlia Gillard (Vic Metro/Calder Cannons)

Key position prospect that will be one to watch in 2021. Gillard is very versatile and can play multiple roles. She is also good at ground level for her size.

Towering Cannons starlet Tahlia Gillard is one of the league’s most versatile talls.

Maggie Harmer (QLD/Maroochydore/Lions)

Has played senior football in the QAFL Women’s competition and adapted quite well. A versatile tall that can mark strongly overhead and kicks the ball well.

Perri King (TAS/Launceston)

Highly rated midfielder from Tasmania. King works hard to win the ball in a contest and is clearance king.

Teagan Levi (QLD/Bond Uni/Suns)

Hard at it midfielder who loves to tackle and enjoys the contest. Wins her own ball and works hard in transition. Sister Madison is a current GC Suns player.

Ally Morphett (NSW/ACT/Murray Bushrangers/Giants)

Developing ruck from NSW/ACT. Morphett is an athletic tall who has shown enormous growth over the past couple of seasons.

Mikayla Pauga (QLD/Maroochydore/Lions)

Small forward who can be very damaging on the scoreboard. Pauga has good endurance and works hard to win plenty of the ball.

Georgie Prespakis (Vic Metro/Calder Cannons)

One to watch in 2021. A classy midfielder with terrific hands who makes good decisions in traffic. Strong in the contest with great athletic traits. Sister of Madison who currently plays for Carlton in the AFLW.

Zoe Prowse (SA/Sturt)

Promising ruck out of SA. Very athletic player who loves to run and jump at the footy. Good at ground level and wins her own ball in a contest. Was awarded Sturt’s best and fairest award in 2020.

Sturt SANFLW starlet Zoe Prowse is a brilliant athlete. Picture: Peter Swan

Charlie Rowbottom (Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers)

Versatile player that switches between mid and forward. Hard runner who both ways and is damaging with her disposals. Brother James is currently a current player for the Sydney Swans.

Courtney Rowley (WA/Peel)

Smooth moving wing from WA. Rowley works hard to win the ball and distributes to teammates. Member of Peel Thunder’s premiership team and was also awarded the fairest and best in 2020.

Gypsy Schirmer (SA/South Adelaide)

Developing tall forward who is capable of impacting games. Schirmer has good hands and is very strong when attacking the ball in the air.

Tara Slender (Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers)

Tall defender that reads the ball exceptionally well in the air. Good one-on-one player who loves to take the game on.

Bella Smith (QLD/Maroochydore/Lions)

Versatile player who can play in a variety of roles. Wins her own ball and good decision maker. Winner of the 2020 QAFL Rising Star Award

Charlotte Thomas (WA/Subiaco)

Very dangerous small forward with terrific goal sense. Thomas has clean hands and tackles hard to keep the ball in the forward line.

Originally published as AFLW draft: 20 players to watch at youth level in 2021