A self-motivated approach to her footy has allowed Ash Riddell to continue her rapid ascension.

The MUWFC captain, who earned selection in the VFL Women’s Team of the Year in 2017, has been described by AFLW Senior Coach Scott Gowans as a key prospect for the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos.

“I had Ash Riddell at Diamond Creek last year,” Gowans told North Media.

“Last year was her first full year of footy, so it is amazing to think where she is now.”

Given her speed, agility and overhead marking capacity, it comes as little surprise that the 22-year-old has been tabbed as a key recruit.

With that in mind, Gowans sees Riddell’s aerobic strength and work-rate as the primary reason why she’ll be used across several roles in both the engine room and forward line.

“Early on last year, we sorta’ thought she might be a defensive forward,” he continued.

“But once we got to know her, it was pretty clear she that her running ability and her ability to get out of trouble was pretty special.”

Seen as a quiet achiever in a star-studded Diamond Creek side, Gowans cited Riddell’s work in the off-season as a major contributing factor to her earning a place on North’s impressive list.

“It was a matter of giving her some game time through the VFL last year,” he said.

“Towards the end of the year, she actually became a regular in the midfield, that had quite a few stars in it.

“Her improvement from January to September last year was amazing.

“She ended up making the All-Victorian state team for the VFLW and she was the only player not drafted from that team. To her credit, she put her head down and worked really hard over that October to December period.

“She got herself really fit and came to Melbourne Uni with me, now she finds herself playing for North Melbourne.”