TOP-FLIGHT FALCONS
NINA MORRISON
If Morrison does not go with pick 1, she definitely will not slip past pick 2. She has nominated “Geelong” as her draft zone, so she will end up at the Cats in one way or another, it’s just a matter of which pick. An outside midfielder with the courage to win her own footy, the TAC Cup league medallist and Vic Country MVP is an elite athlete with the skills to match. Will be a star in Geelong colours for the next decade. Geelong Falcons TAC Cup girls coach Jason Armistead says: “She’s going to be in the first two, I’d imagine. She’s done everything right to be in that position, especially over the last 12 months. In senior footy, she’ll start as an outside midfielder but over the next couple of years, she’ll be quite capable of becoming an inside mid. She’s a great athlete and elite in most of the areas of the game as a midfielder.” AFL Victoria female football talent manager Darren Flanigan says: “She’s an outstanding athlete ... she’s got footy smarts and footy skills to match. She’ll be really high up in the draft, a genuine potential No.1” Addy prediction: Pick 1 or 2 to Geelong
OLIVIA PURCELL
A ready-made star, Purcell — the Falcons’ best-and-fairest — is a tackling machine and ball magnet, t, both at VFL and TAC Cup level. Made a seamless transition to opennage football and will not look out of place in the AFL. She too is sure to o end up at Geelong. Armistead says: “I would imagine she’d be in the top five, top 10 anyway. She’s more of your inside midfielder and for next year, she’s probably the most likely to make the he biggest impact straight away, just because she hunts the footy, works really hard from the first minute of the game to the last minute.” Flanigan says: “A hard worker, a real in-and-under player, she’s got a real fundamental skillset. She’s a really good footballer, she’s tough, can play as a defensive forward, brings other players into the game. A top-10 chance.” Addy prediction: First or high second round selection to Geelong
DENBY TAYLOR
Played mostly at halfback for the Geelong Falcons this year, using her ability to read the play to her advantage. A prolific intercept marker and strong overhead, Taylor saved her best individual performance for the TAC Cup Grand Final where she scored beston-ground honours. Armistead says: “She’d be in the top 20 or 30, I suppose. I don’t know if she’s ticked the Geelong box, but from our point of view, she’s the most naturally gifted player we have. She had a couple of injuries over both years that restricted her a little bit, but obviously the way she played in our grand final showed what she’s capable of. Her skill level is amazing and also what she can do athletically is really good as well.” Flanigan says: “Might be a slider (in the draft order) because of the footy she’s missed (through injury). Her intercept marking is outstanding, she reads the game really well, she’s quick, she kicks the ball really well. She’s a genuine star, Denby.” Addy prediction: Second round range, also to Geelong
SACHI DeGIACOMI
Tied for second in the TAC Cup goal kicking, DeGiacomi knows how to find the big sticks. She played as a key, mobile tall for the Falcons, but will grow with the chance to play as a third tall or half-forward flank in the AFL system. Armistead says: “I would think a club would take Sachi late in the draft. She was our centre-half forward but at senior level, she’s the type that will be a half-forward or third tall in the forward line. She can take a strong mark but can also get up and down the ground pretty well. She kicked 14 goals at centre-half forward (in the TAC Cup Girls this year), which is an awesome effort.” Flanigan says: “Really strong oneon-one and really strong overhead. Had a pretty good year in the TAC Cup.” Addy prediction: Late selection. One of Geelong’s picks of 57 or 62 could be used on her
TARRYN LOVE
Had a taste at VFL level at Geelong this year and didn’t look out of place. Mid-season, Love was in her side’s best players alongside Morrison and Purcell on a weekly basis, but a month-long injury curtailed her run of form. She will be worth a punt by any club looking to add a ball winner with the smarts to match. Armistead says: “Similarly to Sachi, I hope a club like Geelong takes a punt on her late. She’s a mix between Nina and Olivia in the way she goes about it around the footy. She’s really smart from a team perspective around the contest. She missed four weeks late in our season before the grand final when she was probably right up there with our best players.” Flanigan says: “Uses the ball well, sees the game well, nice hands, nice kick.” Addy prediction: Late selection, potentially 57 or 62 to Cats
ZOE INEI
She is a really raw talent as a ruck, and the Falcons would love to see her get a chance at AFLW level, even if just to be part of an elite training squad. At 18, she has so much upside, but with women’s footballers only able to sign oneyear deals, it is more likely Inei will head to VFLW level next year. Armistead says: “With rucks, I think because of the one-year contracts, it’s going to be hard for sides to pick them up if they’re not ready to play senior footy. I know Geelong have already got Aasta O’Connor and Erin Hoare, so it might be a really tough one for Zoe to get picked up.” Flanigan says: “She’s a developing ruck, so (whether she gets selected) would come down to a needs basis for a club that has got room on their list. She might be one of the unfortunate ones: can a club afford to take a developing ruck who needs a couple of years (of development)? So she may need to come through the VFLW.” Addy prediction: Slight chance for pick 62 to Geelong