MELBOURNE women’s coach Mick Stinear provides an update on all 27 players in the lead-up to the inaugural AFL Women’s competition. Be sure to check back each day over the festive season and new year, as we present the 2017 squad …

Pepa Randall
Pepa’s impressed the strength and conditioning team in the gym. Her gymnastics background has led to her having a lot of power and explosiveness in the gym. She’s very quick and has good acceleration, plus a good vertical leap. Pepa’s a great athlete and her kicking has improved considerably this pre-season and she can play anywhere from half-back, wing and midfield. She’s getting more and more comfortable with the ball in her hand and is starting to make good decisions. Pepa’s another one who will be favoured by 16-a-side due to her athleticism.

Shelley Scott
Shell’s doing a great job. She’s travelling two and a half hours to get to training, coming from near Colac. Shelley is another who has impressed the strength and conditioning team. She’s a stranger to the gym, but when you work on a farm for 12 or 14 hours a day, she’s naturally strong and that comes through with her game. She’s really good at controlling space – in the air and on the ground. She’s a tireless worker and doesn’t like being beaten in any format. Shelley will be able to play in any area of the ground for us. We haven’t decided on a preferred position for her yet, but I can see her being a tough midfielder, a relentless defender or a creative in front of goal. She’s one who has grown up with a footy always in her hand. Shelley’s a great story. Her parents have given their support to help her on the farm, as she goes to live her dream. I’m really excited to see Shell get the opportunity and she won’t take it for granted.

Katherine Smith
Smithy’s a really exciting prospect. She had a little bit of hamstring tightness early on, but that’s in the past now and she’s been training fully. She’s a really clever footballer and already had a fair bit of experience for an 18-year-old. Katherine recently finished year 12 and understands the game really well. She’s got a strong body for a young player and for her size. At this stage, she looks like being a quality defender for us, but no doubt she can go through the midfield and up forward for us. Katherine’s an exciting talent and she shows experience beyond her years.