ALL EYES ON TOP CANNON
COULD Madison Prespakis emerge as one of Geelong’s prized selections in the AFLW draft?
The Calder Cannons captain cemented her status as a likely early pick in this year’s AFLW draft by claiming the Vic Metro and overall MVP awards at the Under-18 National Championships.
A runaway winner of the Cannons’ TAC Cup Girls best-and-fairest, Prespakis has been crowned Vic Metro’s best player for the past two years at the national carnival.
The tough onballer, from Sunbury, was already expected to be snapped up with one of the first selections in this year’s draft before shining for the Big V.
Geelong holds the first two picks in the AFLW draft as it prepares to enter the competition, while Carlton has pick No.3.
“I think they are getting a complete player, right at the moment, at under18 level,” Vic Metro coach Tom Humphrey said of Prespakis.
“She has certainly got areas to work on to go to the next level, but you can say that about them all.”
Humphrey praised Prespakis’ “workrate and effort” after entrusting her with a leadership role.
“Her workrate and her drive pushes her along. She’s an outstanding player who will probably go in the top couple,” he said.
He said the 17-year-old’s ability to win uncontested ball would decide how quickly she elevated to elite status.
“She can understand the game a bit more, about getting the outside ball. It’s going to make her so much more damaging,” he said.
Prespakis’ Calder teammates Georgia Patrikios (West Coburg) and Molly Warburton (Gisborne) also impressed.
Humphrey said Warburton’s consistency would have her on the radar of AFLW clubs this year, while Patrikios is not eligible to be selected until 2019.
“Georgia had an outstanding carnival and was named in the AllAustralian squad,” Humphrey said.
“For a bottom-age girl to play the way she has been playing, it (bodes well) for her next year.
“Compared to the other two, who have really highs, Molly, you know what you get with her game in game out. She is performing at the same level every game.”
Carla Rendelmann (Aberfeldie) was Vic Metro’s first-choice ruck and Humphrey said “we probably didn’t see the best of her” due to injury.