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 …

Sarah Jolly
Sarah’s had to make the jump up from playing in Gippsland – second division, behind the VFL. She’s gone from training once a week with not a lot of intensity around training to now three nights a week and making the trek from past Sale, so it’s been a pretty big spike in terms of Sarah’s footy involvement. She’s dealing with it really well and was super on the track pre-Christmas. She lifted her intensity and effort around the ball. Sarah’s a clever left-footer and we can see her being a small forward who can do a bit of damage around goal.

Ainslie Kemp
Kempy had a quad strain in her first two weeks of pre-season training. She’s quickly got right back in the thick of things and is an exciting young talent. She’s very strong overhead and at this stage looks like a mobile half-forward. Kempy’s very clean with her hands and she’s starting to believe that she’s at the level and belongs. We’re looking forward to seeing her continue to develop.

Sarah Lampard
She’s been fantastic. Sarah actually went to school with Pat McKenna, so there is a good connection there, but she’s been outstanding. Sarah comes from a basketball background, with her decision-making, positioning and foot skills all excellent attributes. She also has the potential to have elite endurance. She’ll play anywhere from midfield to wing to half-forward to half-back. Sarah’s going really well at the moment and she’s one to watch.