Draft Combine invitee Zippy Fish sets sights on AFLW dream

Jackson Clark
Jackson Clark Published September 16, 2024 at 2.00pm (AWST)

West Australian young gun Zippy Fish has established herself as one of the top prospects in December's AFLW Draft.

Fish is one of 47 players who have been invited to attended the 2024 AFLW Draft Combine, which is set to take place in Melbourne in early October.

The East Fremantle midfielder enjoyed a terrific season in the WAFLW competition, averaging more than 24 disposals per game, placing her fourth in the league for total disposals.

Her season was highlighted by a best-on-ground performance against West Perth, where she collected 39 disposals and kicked a goal.

The 18-year-old – who has already graduated high school and commenced a teaching degree – was also selected to play for the WAFLW State Team and judged WA's best player after gathering 28 disposals and a goal in the loss to the SANFLW.

Fish – a Larrakia, Noongar, Wongi and Nunga woman – bases her game around Richmond star Monique Conti and already possesses many of the same attributes, including blistering speed, skill and ability to find the football.

Her dominant performances have often resulted in drawing attention from opposition taggers, which she says she has found a way to work through in order to remain impactful.

Zippy Fish had an excellent WAFLW season for East Fremantle. (Image: CODE Sports)

"I get a tag every once in a while, but it's all right," Fish told AFL.com.au.

"To work through a tag, I don't stop running.

"Then I've got some really good teammates who help me out and put a block on once in a while, that helps as well."

Despite being such a well-rounded footballer, Fish is refusing to rest on her laurels and believes that there is always room for improvement in her game.

"I've been working on my left-foot kicking, a bit of endurance and some more explosiveness out of the contest, they're the main three ones I've been working on," she said.

"I'd like to say my endurance has gotten a little bit better.

"In season, I do conditioning at training, but in the off-season, I do a lot more.

"Fartlek (running), sprints, a bit of everything really, a long run on the weekend, that really gets my endurance up."

Fish produced a strong AFL U18s National Carnival with Western Australia which culminated in her selection on the wing in the U18 All-Australian team.

Despite her team failing to register a win across the three matches, she averaged more than 20 disposals and three clearances per game.

AFLW Draft expert Peter Williams wrote on Rookie Me Central that Fish worked her way into the carnival despite a slow start in the opening two games.

"Once she got going she looked a class above," Williams wrote.

"Her work rate and ability to slice through the opposition was brilliant and she won it all over the ground.

"Whenever she started getting her hands on the ball, Western Australia instantly looked better."

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