Calder Cannons young guns turn focus to AFLW Draft after finals loss
An elimination final loss to Oakleigh ended Calder Cannons’ NAB League Girls season but the hard work doesn’t stop for the club’s AFLW draft prospects.
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Calder Cannons’ NAB League Girls season came to an end on Saturday but the hard work is just beginning.
The Cannons were predicted to challenge for the premiership this season but bowed out after a 13-point elimination final loss to minor premier Oakleigh Chargers.
A last-quarter rally wasn’t enough for Calder, going down 5.6 (36) to 3.5 (23) at Warrawee Park.
Focus will now turn to the AFLW Draft with several prospects expected to be picked up later this year.
Georgie Prespakis has long been touted as the potential No. 1 draft pick after bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old in 2019.
The star midfielder averaged a league-leading 23 disposals a game this season and was No. 2 in tackles with eight per game.
Despite being well held against Oakleigh, Prespakis still finished with 22 touches and 13 tackles and helped spark her team’s fourth-quarter rally.
Cannons coach Ross Smith was proud of his young star’s season under immense pressure.
“She gets a lot of attention, particularly today and last week, but in some ways that’s good because it hardens her up,” he said.
“(Assistant coach) Jason (Williams) said to her last week ‘welcome to the rest of your career’ and as she rises up the ranks she’ll get the attention again.
“I think she’ll get the opportunity to go and play some VFLW. I’m sure Essendon will be on the phone.”
Prespakis isn’t the only Cannons player with AFLW prospects.
The likes of Tahlia Gillard, Neve Crowley, Emelia Yassir, Peppa Poultney and Zali Friswell are all under consideration.
Prespakis, Gillard, Crowley and Yassir all featured for Vic Metro in the Under-19 National Championships while Poultney (Darebin) and Friswell (Essendon) already have VFLW experience.
“Zali Friswell has had a really good finish to the year, she’s got better and better all year, a real natural footballer,” Smith said.
“Emelia will certainly be part of those (draft) discussions, she’s a good player.
“Neve Crowley probably hasn’t completed the year as she would have liked, she’s lacked supply at times, but she’s got a really nice game.
“Peppa Poultney was excellent in the ruck, she’s already playing at Darebin (VFLW), so I expect her to come into prominence at 180cm.”
Smith also pointed to several exciting 17-year-old prospects.
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“There’s a couple of 17-year-olds that are going to be really prominent as well,” he said.
“Abbey McDonald is going to be a fantastic player, I want to play her everywhere – forward, back and mid.
“Lily Bateman was really good down back, our backs really held up well to hold them to five goals, and Trilby Sheppard did a great job on (Stella) Reid.”
The dates for the AFLW Draft and Draft Combine are yet to be confirmed.
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