Devils talent Strong picked up in AFLW Draft
A Tasmania Devils talent’s AFLW dreams have come true after she was picked up in Monday’s Draft. See the details here.
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Tasmania Devils coach Jess Wuetschner is confident the state’s newest AFLW star Sophie Strong can press for an early season debut after she was selected by Essendon in Monday’s draft.
A lack of game time this year through injuries didn’t stop the North Hobart speedster from realising her AFL dream.
An eye catching game for Allies at the national championships was the sole match Strong got through unscathed this year due to knee and ankle issues.
But the Bombers had seen enough from the intercept defender in 2023 to grab her in the second round of the draft at pick 35.
Strong was regarded as a high end talent after starring for the Devils in her underage season, and Wuetshner believes she would have been picked higher up in the draft if she had played more this year.
Weutscher played the last two years of her AFLW career with Essendon and believes it’s the ideal spot for Strong to kickstart hers.
Strong will join fellow Tasmanian Daria Bannister at Essendon.
“As an organisation we knew what Sophie could bring and were pretty bullish she was the main chance to go,” Wuetschner said.
“We’re super excited to see what Essendon can bring for her. She’ll bring a lot of speed, and a bit of bounce through that midfield and half-forward line hopefully.
“I’m really good friends with the Essendon physio (Megan Smith) and she’s fantastic. She basically kept me on the park the last two years of my career, so I’m sure she can work her wonders with an 18 or 19 year old.
“I couldn’t speak more highly of them for my two years there. I’ve still got a really good relationship with the club, they have a real focus on development so I think she’s in really good hands.”
Wuetschner doesn’t believe almost a full year away from the game will affect the development of Strong, regarded as one of the better two-way players in the draft.
“I don’t think so. Through her rehab when she was able to, she was still doing ball skills and just wasn’t able to run,” she said.
“She’s been back training with us a little bit this pre season and she’s looking really good.
“I don’t think she was quite expecting to go so early (in the draft). But we’ll have a good chat before she heads off, and no doubt I’ll head over and make sure she fits in pretty well.
“She has really good speed and is pretty fit, she can run for days. She’s hard at the footy and those are the things Essendon are going to really love about her. I have no doubt she’ll put in the hard yards and put her hand up for round one.”
Before the draft, Wuetschner told The Mercury the program had been reminding clubs of Strong’s ability to ensure she wasn’t out of sight, out of mind when out injured.
“We’ve been getting in recruiters’ ears at clubs and just reminding them what she can do,” Wuetschner said.
“Sophie didn’t have much of a season this year, but with what she’s done we think she’s AFLW quality as well.
“I think if she had a full year in Coates Talent League, we’d be talking a top 20 or 25 pick.”
The night ended in disappointment for another Devils intercept defender with Mackenzie Williams, the only Tasmanian invited to the National Combine, overlooked.
She pointed to Launceston product Tunisha Kikoak, picked up as a replacement player by Fremantle last season, as an example opportunities are still available for Devils players who missed out.
Williams and Devils co-captain Lucy Thompson were the main hard-luck stories.
“We’ll look at what next year looks like. Tunisha is a person you could look at to say if you come back and rip in, you can get these opportunities,” Wuetschner said.
“If they want to do other things then that’s totally up to them, we’ll support them either way.
“(I was) a little bit surprised (Williams wasn’t picked up), she’s definitely talented enough to be in the AFLW and go in this draft.
“There’s probably a couple of inconsistencies in her season which might have been the killer, but hopefully she can put her head down and work really hard. The opportunity is there for her to get to the AFLW space the next 12 months.
“Through pre season and off season there’s always injuries and opportunities that pop up.”
EARLIER: The Devils talents to watch in the AFLW Draft
Tasmania coach Jess Wuetschner has sounded out AFLW recruiters to remind them what Devils talents Sophie Strong and Lucy Thompson are capable of after enduring injury interrupted years before Monday’s draft.
Strong in particular has had wretched luck this year, missing the first two months of the Coates Talent League season with a knee injury.
She returned in time to deliver a star display for Allies against Queensland in the under-18 championships, her only full game of the year before hurting her ankle the next game.
Devils co-captain Thompson, who plays for Ulverstone, has also had some injury disruptions but had a solid season and was invited to compete in the State Draft Combine in Melbourne.
“Mackenzie has been part of the AFLW Academy, which probably gives her a little bit more of a chance to highlight herself and has been seen by more recruiters,” Wuetschner said.
“She had a good season in Coates League and intercepts the ball, breaks lines and is a penetrating kick.”
Williams’ North Hobart teammate Strong, who boasts explosive speed and athleticism, would likely have been a draft lock with a full season under her belt.
With her and Lucy Thompson as well, we’ve been getting in recruiters’ ears at clubs and just reminding them what they can do,” Wuetschner said.
“Sophie didn’t have much of a season this year, but with what she’s done we think she’s AFLW quality as well.
“What she was able to do last year as a bottom ager really stands out. She’s got a really good athletic profile and is a really good runner as well.
“They’re the attributes they’re looking for in players at the moment, and she fits the bill really well. I think if she had a full year in Coates Talent League, we’d be talking a top 20 or 25 pick.”
Wuetschner believes Tasmania’s success in last year’s draft has put local talent more on club’s radars.
“Getting Georgia Clark and Brooke Barwick taken in the top ten last year, it probably shone a bit more light on Tassie and got more people understanding we have some good talent down here,” she said.
“I’ve been really impressed with the talent we’ve had and improvement in girls who needed to improve to play at the level.
“I’m in a fortunate position to nurture the next generation and hopefully help a couple of AFLW players as well.”
The AFLW Draft will begin at 7pm on Monday.
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