AFLW draft 2021: Peel’s Courtney Rowley a star for the now after dominant WAFLW season

COURTNEY ROWLEY Who are WA’s top AFLW draft prospects? Get to know the state’s brightest talent in our draft profiles series, with full profiles of leading draft contenders. Here, we look at Courtney Rowley, the silky midfielder who’s in contention to be WA’s first picked. Club: Peel Thunder From: Mandurah Mustangs Date of birth: 24/09/2003 (age 17) Height: 167cm Position: Midfielder AFLW player comparison: Georgia Patrikios Strengths: Spread, ball use, speed Question mark: Will Rowley end up an Eagle at pick three despite West Coast’s abundance of midfielders? THE WEST AUSTRALIAN’S ELIZA REILLY SAYS: Peel Thunder coach Steve Markham once said he’d like “four or five” Rowley’s in his side. Instead, the Dockers and Eagles will have to fight for the one and only. A hard running midfielder, Rowley was selected in the 2021 All-Australian side after dominating the Under-19 National Championships. A hard runner with a clean kick, Rowley can play on both the inside and outside and will likely make a smooth transition to AFLW level. The 17-year-old won a league best and fairest for the Mandurah Mustangs after making the transition from netball and won Peel Thunder’s club best and fairest after being scouted by the club. Rowley missed Peel’s premiership campaign with an ankle injury but is still expected to be among WA’s first picked, potentially finding her way to West Coast with pick three. PEEL THUNDER COACH STEVE MARKHAM SAYS: “We expect her to go very highly. She’s an outstanding talent. Her run and carry and ability to break the game open is elite.” Projected draft range: Top three in WA