GWS recruit Alicia Eva excited about the direction of the women’s game

IF you thought the first season of AFLW was impressive, there’s more to come in 2018 with the talent coming through the league “phenomenal”, according to Giants vice-captain Alicia Eva.

Alicia Eva in action for Collingwood last season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

JUST one season into the AFLW, the competition is already shaping — and keeping — the game’s best talent.

In another five years, the skill level of the league will be unrecognisable, says the Giants’ newly appointed vice-captain Alicia Eva.

Two weeks out from the 2018 season, Eva told The Daily Telegraph the talent coming through the league is “phenomenal”.

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“In five years time the game is going to be completely different,” Eva said.

“The skill level is only going to increase from player A to player Z on the list. There will be less of a discrepancy between players and we will see quicker ball movement and less congestion.

GWS captain Amanda Farrugia and vice-captain Alicia Eva. Picture: David Swift

Eva says they have girls between the ages of six and 18 who are staying in the game because the AFLW is providing a pathway for them.

“They won’t drop away to other sports. They will stay in the game and continue to be coached.”

In the competition’s first season last year, Eva was vice-captain of Collingwood and runner-up in their best and fairest.

The bottom-placed Giants recruited her in the off-season.

Eva is also one of the rising stars in coaching, having been the first female head coach in the TAC Cup, where she led the Calder Cannons under-16 boys team. That line-up featured AFL stars Jake Lever (Melbourne), Peter Wright (Gold Coast) and Touk Miller (Gold Coast).

The Giants take on last year’s runner-up, Brisbane, in a practice match at 10am today at Tom Wills Oval.

Originally published as GWS recruit Alicia Eva excited about the direction of the women’s game