After an impressive bottom-aged campaign playing mostly as a forward, Keely Coyne adapted well to a role on the inside during 2022 as she averaged 21.2 disposals across the NAB League campaign.

Despite being a shorter player, Coyne threw herself into the new role to be one of the Dragons most influential players across the season, with her composure through the thick of the contest proving key to how Sandringham played as the campaign went on. To aid that composure, Coyne has proven herself to be a good decision maker with ball in hand, knowing when to handball to an outside receiver and when to try a kick forward, where she would often spot teammates making leads even under pressure from opposition. She looks to move the ball forward more often than not, looking for inside-45 options or leading forwards rather than bombing long down the line or out of a pack. Coyne got better as the season went on, with three of her highest disposal games coming in the final four rounds of the season.

With a stacked Metro midfield, Coyne filled a role on the wing for much of her time representing the Big V, looking confident in the position with her ability to hold space, but not being afraid to play contested when forced to. It was a good showing for Coyne across the three games, averaging 14.3 disposals, two marks and 2.7 tackles for the carnival despite playing largely on the outside.

At the next level Coyne may not get as many midfield opportunities as she has this past season, but with promising form on the wing and a bottom-aged campaign as a forward she’s one that may still find her way into a side early, however if she is given midfield opportunities she will be wanting to improve on her physicality on the inside, and may look to tidy up her kicking with the increased intensity and pressure.