Mia Van Dyke is one of those rare players capable of playing on all three lines if required. Though having predominantly settled in defence for the Geelong Falcons in 2022, Van Dyke has also played forward, and on a wing, not too dissimilar to her predecessor Ingrid Houtsma who was also a good size and capable of slotting in across the board. Van Dyke is a little taller than Houtsma at 176cm, and though not quite as consistent across the year, she has some traits that naturally catch the eye.
Van Dyke is a fairly athletic player for a tall, and she is incredibly smart when it comes to reading the ball in flight. She can judge it well and position herself for the mark up either end, then generally use it well by hand or kick long by foot. She is a player who, when given the opportunity, can do a lot of damage in transition, but simply just needs to find it more and impact a game more consistently.
Having come through the Geelong Falcons pathway at V/ Line Cup and then as an Under 16s talent and bottom-ager, Van Dyke was always touted as an incredibly, naturally gifted youngster. Though she has not quite ironed out that consistency, her traits are what really standout to spectators when out on the field. She can win the ball in the air or on the deck, but she is more potent when able to intercept, and then run out of defence. When in attack she can provide a target, and has a nice burst of speed on the lead.
Going forward, Van Dyke is the type of player one would like to see develop through having more match time against senior bodies. She will have to add greater strength to compete against the stronger forwards of the AFLW, but should have many of them covered once the ball hits the ground. Her decision making and footy smarts will help her develop in the future and will be one to consider for the AFLW Draft.
Be right back, gotta fix the swear filter.
FFS
Fixed.
On behalf of Clifford… get stuffed.
Lol
ANNOUNCE MORE SWEAR FILTER SIGNINGS
Scunthorpe.
Just wanna see if this particular placename gets through the swear filter.
Shitake mushrooms
I haven’t been following women’s footy, but what’s with all the Dutch surnames?
The race is on to get the nickname 'The Flying Dutchwoman".
mix a bit of dutch heritage and boom you got a ruck.
It’s because Dutch people are just incredible at everything they do.
■■■■ Van Dyke
Nah just taller wankers
■■■■ van ■■■■
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Buttzville
I’m not across the average heights of the AFLW teams but when is 176cm considered a tall.
Your sentence explains itself. Though I wouldn’t say she’s a tall tall, just has 15-20cm on the legit “smalls”.