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 …

Alyssa Mifsud
Miffo recently completed an internship/work experience at the club, before she started training. She comes from a basketball background, but grew up playing footy with her brother. She’s really comfortable with the ball in her hand and is strong and powerful, but still learning the technical side of using her body. Once she gets that balance, she’ll be a really powerful force. She’s likely to play as a marking forward. Miffo is a mobile forward who is good overhead. Like Rocky Cranston, she’s got the ability to pinch-hit in the midfield and hurt some teams.

Lily Mithen
Mitho finished year 12 in 2016. She’s similar to some of the other girls who have come through the youth girls program – she’s a really well rounded footballer and understands the game. She has a really high work-rate – she just loves hard work and getting amongst it despite her size. Purely through her work-rate, Mitho will find a lot of the footy in space, particularly in 16-a-side and we see her playing inside mid. She’s a great competitor who will add real value to our team. Daisy Pearce has been a really good role model for her.

Aliesha Newman
Aliesha has been really exciting to watch. She’s quick, dynamic and has picked up her footy skills really quickly. Aliesha played footy in primary school and a little bit in high school, but her Mum steered her towards soccer, as she was a little on the smaller side. She’s been getting used to the 360 degree contact and pressure from all areas. Once she settles, she’ll be hard to stop as a small forward. She’s very clever around goal and will sneak up on opponents. Her pressure is also very good. Aliesha has already shown an ability to run with intensity and we’re excited about what she’ll bring to the group.