Northern Territory young gun Tatyana Perry has been invited to attend the 2024 AFLW Draft Combine in October.
Perry is a junior footballer from Northern Territory Football League club Palmerston and has been considered one of the Territory's most promising up-and-coming footballers for a number of years.
The 18-year-old is the niece of former Melbourne best-and-fairest winner Aaron Davey and Essendon small forward Alwyn Davey and the cousin of Bombers pair Jayden Davey and Alwyn Davey Jr.
Perry is a calm and composed utility who has produced her best football as a rebounding defender.
She attacks the contest hard, possesses great athleticism and generally disposes of the football to the advantage of her teammates.
Northern Territory Talent Manager Shannon Millar told SEN Top End earlier in the year that Perry was talented enough to progress to the elite level.
"She reads the ball really well and doesn't hesitate around the ball," Millar said.
"She cuts it (the ball) off really well.
"She's got that natural agility and speed and if we keep working with her she is just going to get stronger in that area."
A member of both the Northern Territory Academy and the AFL National Academy, Perry had a busy 2024 campaign which included representing Australia in a showcase game against an Under 23 All-Stars team in Melbourne.
The talented utility was considered a key player for the Allies across their National Championships campaign by AFLW scouting expert Peter Williams from Rookie Me Central.
"Incredibly clean at ground level, her first two games in particular were very good and she can take advantage of any opponent where she can utilise her speed and smarts," Williams said.
"An AFLW Academy member who showed she could match it with quality forwards and provide run while being accountable."
Earlier in the year, Perry received the opportunity to train and play alongside the Gold Coast Suns' AFLW squad, featuring in the club's practice matches against West Coast and a QAFLW team.
She also spent the week in Queensland training with the squad and immersing himself in the elite program.
At club level, Perry produced a tremendous junior career with Palmerston and made a seamless step up to senior football over the past 18 months.
She won the NTFL's Women's Premier League Rising Star award in 2022/23 and last year was selected for the League's representative match against Essendon's VFLW team.
This year, the AFLW Draft Combine has evolved from state-based events to a fully national model.
It will be held over three days in Melbourne between October 4 and October 6 on the same weekend as the boys' Combine.
Club interviews will be held at the MCG across the opening two days before players will take part in a series of physical testing at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
The testing will include the vertical jump, running vertical jump, 20-metre sprint, agility test and 2km time trial.
Selection to attend the Combine was based on nominations provided by the 18 AFLW clubs.
