'I didn't believe it': New crop of AFLW talent taken in first national draft

[ad_1] Midfield prodigy Ash Centra has headlined the primary AFLW nationwide draft, being taken because the primary decide by Collingwood.

Centra was taken on the historic night time for the league, with its first nationwide pool; versus beforehand, when aspiring draftees may nominate for his or her most well-liked state to play in.

Nevertheless Centra will stay in her residence state of Victoria, because the highly effective midfielder/half-back hails from Seaspray, a small city simply south of Sale.

Ash Centra was thought of by many to be the perfect participant on this 12 months's draft. ( Morgan Hancock/AFL Images/through Getty Pictures )

Centra had an inkling she may go as the highest decide, after some constructive suggestions from Collingwood, however stated she nonetheless could not fairly imagine it.

"Nothing's set in stone, so to be learn out as primary, I am tremendous grateful," Centra stated. "It hasn't actually sunk in."

The 18-year-old will make a helpful addition to the Magpies, who've achieved only one win this 12 months.

Throughout 12 matches for the Gippsland Energy on this 12 months's Expertise League, she averaged 27.1 disposals, 4.2 clearances and 1.5 targets.

Ash Centra will make a helpful addition to the Magpies. ( Darrian Traynor/AFL Images/through Getty Pictures )

Centra began the season with a powerful four-goal, 47-disposal efficiency and completed with a starring position for Vic Nation within the Beneath-18 Nationwide Championships.

She earned a second consecutive Beneath-18 Girls's All-Australia honour, cementing herself as a prime prospect.

"I sat down with my Gippy [Gippsland] coach in the beginning of the season and my purpose was [to] attempt to be recognised because the primary prospect, and looking out again, so grateful for the assist," Harris stated.

Havana Harris was an academy participant for the Gold Coast Suns. ( AAP: James Ross )

At decide two, Gold Coast matched Melbourne's bid to take Suns Academy product Havana Harris.

Former inaugural participant and commentator Kate McCarthy referred to Harris as a "soccer unicorn", in a position to play as a ruck, ahead and midfielder with a excessive bounce and explosive pace.

Harris stated having a slew of different Suns Academy prospects on this 12 months's draft — together with Mia Salisbury, Tara Harrington, Nyalli Milne and Heidi Talbot — made the expertise much less daunting.

Havana Harris, a Gold Coast Suns Academy product, was one of the crucial extremely rated gamers on this 12 months’s draft. ( Josh Chadwick/AFL Images/through Getty Pictures )

"I've already had a variety of ladies attain out, so it is made it so much simpler for me," Harris stated.

Following Harris, Melbourne took South Fremantle rising expertise Molly O'Hehir at quantity three, Larger Western Sydney took Sara Howley at quantity 4 and Sydney took Zipporah "Zippy" Fish at quantity 5.

Molly O'Hehir was taken at decide three within the first nationwide draft by Melbourne. ( Picture by Dylan Burns/AFL Images through Getty Pictures )

O'Hehir stated she was misplaced for phrases.

"I am a yapper and often I speak away, however I do not even know what to say proper now," O'Hehir stated.

"I did not imagine it, like I type of forgot to rise up at first. I simply heard it and was shocked however I am so, so pleased. So excited."

Zipporah "Zippy" Fish was taken by Melbourne. ( Darrian Traynor/AFL Images/through Getty Pictures )

Fish was a reputation that drew a variety of consideration main into the draft. The Larrakia, Wongi, Noongar and Nunga lady from West Australia is already identified for her pace and athleticism — reflecting her nickname nicely.

Why largest coup of commerce interval ought to stir worries North Melbourne are usually not resting on their laurels after claiming their first flag in AFLW historical past.

Poppy Scholz was taken by Carlton subsequent at decide six, her final identify already a well-known one throughout the AFLW after her sister Matilda received the 2024 Rising Star and Mark of the 12 months.

One other acquainted identify, Sophie McKay, was taken by Carlton, who matched Geelong's bid to take her as a father-daughter choice at decide 17.

McKay's older sister Abbie was the primary participant chosen underneath the father-daughter rule in 2018 by Carlton.

Rounding out the highest 10, West Coast took Lucia Painter at decide seven, the Western Bulldogs took Emma McDonald with decide eight, Essendon took Grace Belloni with decide 9 and Geelong selected Alexis Gregor at decide 10.

Former Bomber Paige Scott was taken by Richmond at decide 31.

Paige Scott delisted themselves from Essendon on the conclusion of the 2024 season. ( Michael Willson/AFL Images through Getty Pictures )

Scott was taken at quantity eight within the 2022 draft and was an rising expertise on the membership. Nevertheless, after a deal fell by throughout the commerce interval this 12 months, they selected to appoint for the draft fairly than signal one other contract with Essendon.