AFLW 2022 Season: Gippsland players to keep an eye on

In the upcoming season of AFL Womens, players from Gippsland are as present than ever.

Here is a list of players to keep an eye on:

JASMINE FERGUSON – NORTH MELBOURNE

The former Gippsland Power player was recruited at Pick 51 in the 2o21 National Draft after two seasons playing with Collingwood’s VFLW team. Ferguson is a flexible, tall defender whose competitiveness and ability to read the ball in the air stands out.

In her last season at Collingwood, she averaged 10.5 disposals, 2.3 marks, 2 rebound 50s and 1.9 tackles a game.

TAYLA STAHL – RICHMOND

Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Previously a Victorian representative in netball at an Under 18’s level, the goal kicking machine from Bass Coast Breakers saw her dominate the SEWF goal kicking table in 2018 with 61 goals from 12 matches and help secure a premiership for the Breakers. She also managed a best & fairest award as well.

Picked up by the Richmond VFLW side in 2019, Stahl kicked 6 goals in Round 1 and was drafted by Richmond’s AFLW side immediately afterwards via the expansion side draft rule. She kicked 19 goals in 14 games in 2019 and was named in the forward pocket of the VFLW team of the year.

In 2021, Stahl kicked 7 goals from 9 games and averaged 7 disposals & 2 tackles a game.

TYLA HANKS – MELBOURNE

A highly fancied draft prospect in her final year with Gippsland Power after being named in the TAC Cup Under 18 All Australian side, Hanks was picked up by Melbourne with pick 6 in the 2018 AFLW National Draft.

Currently the most accomplished AFLW player to come out of Gippsland Power, Tyla finished the 2021 season as the NAB AFLW Rising Star winner, made the AFLPA 22 under 22 team and won Melbourne’s Best & Fairest Award. Stats wise, she finished the season averaging 19 disposals, 5 tackles and 3 marks a game.

DARCY GUTTRIDGE – ST KILDA

A former Vic Country captain, Guttridge was drafted by Collingwood at pick 9 in the 2017 AFLW National Draft.

Due to a broken collarbone that kept her out of the 2018 season, Guttridge didn’t make her AFLW debut until 2019, where she managed 3 games before deciding to sign with new expansion team St Kilda. After playing every game in 2021, Guttridge is on the verge of a break out season.

In 2021, she finished the season averaging 8 disposals, 2 marks and 2 tackles a game.

CASEY SHERRIFF – MELBOURNE

Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Originally picked up a replacement player for Daisy Pearce as a category B rookie in the 2019 season, the athletic rebounding defender was elevated from the Casey VFLW side.

Sherriff had a breakout debut season in 2020 and has played every game since her debut.

In 2021, Sherriff finished the season averaging 11 disposals and 4 tackles a game.

MEGAN FITZSIMON – MELBOURNE

Selected at pick 35 in the 2020 draft, Fitzsimon is an explosive footballer who can play through the middle and up forward, and she knows how to kick a goal.

In her debut season at Melbourne last year, she averaged 8 disposals and 2.5 tackles over two games played.

JACQUI VOGT – ST KILDA

After a season with St Kilda’s VFLW affiliate side Southern Saints in 2019, the new Saints AFLW side selected life-long supporter Vogt at Pick 40 in the 2020 National Draft.

Vogt played 8 games in 2021, averaging 5 disposals and 3 tackles a game.

SHANNON DANCKERT – GOLD COAST SUNS

Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Hailing from Fish Creek, Danckert plied her trade with Bond Uni in the QAFLW in 2021, where she won the league Best & Fairest award. Danckert was training with the Suns when two players were put on the club’s inactive list, allowing herself and one other to be signed on to the official players list.

The AFLW 2022 season begins on Friday January 7th, 2022.

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