MELBOURNE women’s coach Mick Stinear provides an update on all 30 players in the lead-up to the 2018 NAB AFL Women’s competition. Be sure to check back each day over the festive/New Year season, as we present the 2018 squad alphabetically …
Maddie Shevlin
Maddie joined us through the NAB AFL Women’s Rookie Draft, from the Gungahlin Jets in the ACT. She’s got a great running game and is a really nice kick of the footy. Maddie is determined to get the best out of herself. Her teammates have fallen in love with her and she’s fitted into the environment really well, and is enjoying her time at Melbourne.
Katherine Smith
‘Smithy’ has developed her game knowledge and continues to improve her conditioning for season two. She’s the ultimate competitor and prides herself on one-on-one contests. Her ability to compete in the air and on the ground is very good and she has a great thirst for developing her knowledge in footy. She is regularly seen integrating with the men’s program and gaining knowledge, by taking her footy to the next level. After being a NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star nominee in season one, we’re looking forward to her being a consistent contributor each week in 2018.
Anna Teague
Anna joined us in the NAB AFL Women’s Rookie Draft, after a really strong year with Geelong in the VFLW. She played as a key defender throughout the year with Geelong. Anna comes from a basketball background and is a mature recruit, who brings professionalism, leadership and elite behaviours. She’s been limited with a back injury in the first four weeks of the program, and with the great work of the medical team, we’re looking forward to her rejoining us in January, where she’ll start making a claim for a spot in the team and continue to contribute in the program.
Claudia Whitfort
Claudia joined us through the NAB AFL Women’s Draft. She comes from an athletics and surf lifesaving background. Claudia has just completed year 12 at Peninsula. She’s excited us on the training track and is an incredible athlete with speed, power and great athleticism. Claudia continues to get more and more comfortable with the ball in her hand, and we’re looking forward to seeing what she can do as the games come closer.
Eden Zanker
Our first pick in the NAB AFL Women’s Draft, Eden has had an extraordinary year, going from local footy to playing in an All-Australian team to being drafted. Now she’s training in an AFLW program. Eden has made the big shift from back home in Natya and settled in really well. She’s much-loved by her teammates and is really learning what’s required to compete at this level. Eden is loving every minute of the program and will develop into a key forward in our first season. She’s a real competitor and doesn’t like to be beaten, so we’re looking forward to seeing her get her opportunity.
