It’s 2021 NAB AFLW Draft day! You can catch all of the action tonight across the AFL Women’s website and official app with coverage starting from 6:45 pm.
The Queensland pool this year is extremely strong with a handful of standouts across both the Lions and SUNS Academies who are predicted to be picked up in round one of selections.
Brisbane has five picks, the Gold Coast has four.
Gold Coast SUNS have picks 1, 6, 8, and 30.
Brisbane Lions have picks 18, 35, 46, 53 and 58.
The SUNS are unable to trade pick number one with the first five draft picks in this year’s NAB AFLW Draft protected due to rules made by the AFL surrounding the clubs given priority selections. Victorian powerhouse Charlie Rowbottom is expected to be selected by the Gold Coast SUNS with their number one pick after she surprisingly nominated Queensland in the state-based process.
In part two of our NAB AFL Draft preview, we look at the renaming five Queenslanders who participated in the AFLW Combine and could find themselves on an AFLW list come Tuesday night.
Junior club: Noosa Tigers
Brisbane Lions Academy
Date of Birth:12/04/2003
Height: 170cm
Maggie Harmer is reliable defender who plays well under pressure using her footy smarts, aerial ability, and clean hands to beat out her opponents. A prospect from the Maroochydore Roo’s and Brisbane Lions Academy member, Harmer had 15 disposals, five marks in the defensive half and five tackles at the recent NAB AFLW Under 19 Championships match against Vic Country, showcasing her intercepting and defensive pressure.
The Noosa Tigers junior was recently named in the NAB AFLW U19 Championship All Australian Team alongside fellow draft hopefully Teagan Levi.
A versatile footballer who could play multiple positions, Maggie is one to watch this year and beyond.
Club: University of Queensland Red Lions
Date of Birth: 22/09/1993
Height:177cm
Steph O’Brien is relatively new to football having only played with Mt Gravatt Vultures last year and the University of Queensland QAFLW team in 2021. The highly regarded USQ Ipswich Jets netballer showed her athletic dominance in the midfield with multiple best on ground performances throughout her seven Bond University QAFLW matches. Her netball skills prove handy on field with agility, speed and overhead marking being three of her assets.
The Bond University QAFLW season ended in premiership glory for Steph with UQ defeating Bond in a dominant second half performance.
Steph set the pace at the recent NAB AFL Combine smashing the speed and agility tests to place first in Queensland in both categories.
Junior club: Southport Sharks
Gold Coast SUNS Academy
Date of Birth: 17/03/2003
Height: 180cm
Standing at 180cm, Davies is a capable and strong key defender who is able to make an impact with her height and defensive pressure. A Gold Coast SUNS Academy member and Bond University player, Davies has had a solid year representing Queensland in the NAB AFLW Under 19 Championships and playing 15 QAFLW games including the 2021 Bond University QAFLW Brand Final.
A valuable prospect for any club, Davies strengths include her size, decision-making out of the defensive half, clean hands, and ability to hit her target.
The Southport Sharks junior is a potential Gold Coast SUNS recruit.
Junior club: Park Ridge/Greater Springfield
Brisbane Lions Academy
Date of Birth: 3/09/2002
Height: 165cm
Christine Okesene was hesitant to play AFL at first but followed the advice of her dad and switched from rugby to footy. A prospect from the Yergona South Brisbane Devils, Christine has a powerful kick, is strong one on one and is able to play off half back or through to the midfield.
Okesene lead the Queensland team at the NAB AFLW Under 19 Championships being named the state captain and was one of the best on ground with a tenacious performance in defence.
The Brisbane Lions Academy member, Oksesne was invited to the 2020 and 2021 AFLW Draft combine and is no doubt hopeful this is her year.
Junior club: Thuringowa Bulldogs
Date of Birth:12/04/2003
Height: 170cm
Townsville’s Thuringowa Bulldogs and now Yeronga South Brisbane player, Madison Goodwin, impressed in her QAFLW matches this year. A strong runner and reliable kicker, Madison is able to easily link up with fellow midfielders, creating scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Goodwin dominated the recent Queensland NAB AFLW Draft Combine, jumping 64cm in the vertical jump, breaking the previous record of 61cm shared by Giant’s Jess Allan (2017) and former West Coast Eagle Julie-Anne Norrish (2020). Her running vertical jumps were impressive too, securing third and fifth all-time scores for her right and left foot jumps respectively.
Please note these opinions are of the author and not of the AFL clubs and/or their academies.
