Carlton AFLW player profiles for 2018 season
THERE’S plenty of new faces at Carlton, which also secured some big trade acquisitions for the second AFLW season, and some virtual recruits who were struck down by injury last year.
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THERE’S 11 new faces at Carlton and some virtual recruits who missed almost all of last season through injury, including Jess Hosking and Natalie Plane.
Collingwood best-and-fairest Nicola Stevens and Brisbane forward Tayla Harris were big trade acquisitions.
Stevens and skipper Brianna Davey will drive the Blues from defence.
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Coach: Damien Keeping
Captain: Brianna Davey
Last year: 4th (3-1-3)
Average age: 23
Average height: 169cm
Youngest player: Courtney Webb (18)
Oldest player: Alison Downie (33)
Odds: $5
THE QUOTE
“We had a number of injuries last year but they’re all back. The advancement the younger group has made very quickly has been really pleasing.”
— Damien Keeping
CARLTON AFLW PLAYER PROFILES
1. Brianna Davey
Age: 23 Hgt: 171cm
Defender/midfielder
Former Matildas goalkeeper who has taken over as captain. Huge impact off half-back last year resulted in All-Australian selection.
2. Katie Loynes
Age: 31 Hgt: 168cm
Midfielder
Hard-at-it midfielder who is strong in the clearances and not afraid to tackle. Recovered from knee injury to play every game last season.
3. Darcy Vescio
Age: 24 Hgt: 166cm
Forward
Excitement machine was the leading goalkicker (14) in AFLW01. Has clean hands and puts herself in the right spots when the ball hits the deck.
4. Madeline Keryk
Age: 22 Hgt: 169cm
Midfielder
Played six games last season, always in the thick of it winning the clearances and laying fierce tackles. Also renowned for bringing others into the game.
5. Katherine Gillespie-Jones
Age: 26 Hgt: 179cm
Midfielder/forward
Played every game last season in a variety of roles, including pinch-hitting in the ruck. Covers the ground well and a good mark.
6. Gabriella Pound
Age: 23 Hgt: 166cm
Forward
Dangerous forward is still developing but played every game last season. Good kick and exceptional decision-maker.
7. Sarah Last
Age: 23 Hgt: 172cm
Defender
Performed well in lockdown defensive roles in three games last year despite being relatively new to football. Reads the ball well and has a fierce competitive streak.
8. Maddison Gay
Age: 21 Hgt: 168cm
Midfielder
Former state league netballer played her first season of football for St Kilda Sharks last year. Rookie recruit has good balance and run.
9. Kerryn Harrington
Age: 25 Hgt: 173cm
Midfielder
Former WNBL guard has signed as a rookie. Still a raw talent but shows good signs and could play in a variety of positions.
10. Sarah Hosking
Age: 22 Hgt: 164cm
Midfielder
Fast improving onballer who played every game last season and floated forward to kick two goals. Another step up expected this season.
11. Jess Hosking
Age: 22 Hgt: 164cm
Midfielder
Missed last season while recovering from a knee injury but has impressed over pre-season as she prepares for a debut alongside twin sister Sarah.
12. Lauren Brazzale
Age: 24 Hgt: 163cm
Defender/midfielder
Did not miss a game last season and impressed in a variety of roles. Has explosive speed and can kick goals.
13. Lauren Arnell
Age: 30 Hgt: 165cm
Midfielder
Inaugural captain has stepped down to vice-captain under Davey this year. Averaged 12 disposals as an onballer but could spend more time forward this season.
14. Laura Attard
Age: 31 Hgt: 168cm
Defender
Pillar in defence in every game last season. Can play small or tall, wins her own ball and provides rebound.
15. Tiahna Cochrane
Age: 19 Hgt: 166cm
Midfielder
The fifth pick in last year’s draft is great neice of Blues Team of the Century member Trevor Keogh. A competitor who is clever around the stoppages.
16. Breann Moody
Age: 20 Hgt: 180cm
Ruck
Developing tall played every game last season, sharing ruck duties with A;ison Downie. A dangerous prospect when forward of the ball.
17. Courtney Webb
Age: 18 Hgt: 163cm
Midfielder
Pick No.17 in last year’s draft. Exciting onballer who has great skills, makes good decisions and has a hunger for the contest. Also a talented cricketer.
18. Tilly Lucas-Rodd
Age: 21 Hgt: 160cm
Midfielder
Played every game last season, averaging more than 10 disposals through the middle. Has speed, agility and can break the lines and carry the ball.
19. Georgia Gee
Age: 18 Hgt: 158cm
Midfielder
Pick No.12 in last year’s draft after an All-Australian under-18 year. Lightly framed but has speed, balance and clean hands and has impressed over pre-season.
21. Nicola Stevens
Age: 24 Hgt: 173cm
Defender
Collingwood’s best-and-fairest last season before requesting a trade to the arch-enemy. An elite player.
22. Tayla Harris
Age: 20 Hgt: 179cm
Forward
Trade acquisition who played for Brisbane last season. Kicked 4.9 in eight games as a forward and led the competition in contested marks.
23. Bridie Kennedy
Age: 18 Hgt: 175cm
Ruck
Developing ruck who won the inaugural TAC Cup Girls best-and-fairest playing for Dandenong Stingrays last year, her second season of football.
24. Reni Hicks
Age: 19 Hgt: 164cm
Defender
Quality one-on-one defender is rarely beaten and shone at VFLW level in a variety of roles last year.
25. Kate Shierlaw
Age: 29 Hgt: 186cm
Ruck/forward
Had only limited game time in her six matches last season but provides a tall target around the ground and has a good pair of hands.
26. Shae Audley
Age: 29 Hgt: 160cm
Midfielder
One of the league’s leading tacklers last season, averaging 5.6 a game. Knows how to win her own ball and generally uses it well.
28. Katie-Jayne Grieve
Age: 20 Hgt: 168cm
Midfielder
West Australian snapped up as a rookie. Made an impact in her first season of football last year, winning her club best-and-fairest.
30. Alison Downie
Age: 33 Hgt:188cm
Ruck
A former WNBL player who impressed in the No.1 ruck role last season and can also find the footy and take a good mark.
31. Danielle Hardiman
Age: 23 Hgt: 175cm
Defender
Six games last season in a key defence role. Provides run and rebound. Averaged more than 10 disposals and 2.5 marks last season.
32. Natalie Plane
Age: 21 Hgt: 168cm
Midfielder
Virtual recruit who played less than a half of football last season before an ankle injury. Highly-rated, can win the ball inside and has explosive speed.
35. Sophie Li
Age: 29 Hgt: 165cm
Midfielder
South Australian taken at pick No.28 in last year’s draft after an exceptional season with Norwood. Natural athlete with strength and speed.
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