Capital gains: Record ACT draft haul amid bumper NSW crop
Originally published by AFL Women’s.
A record six players from Canberra were selected in the NAB AFLW Draft, with a further 12 who have played footy in New South Wales also making their way onto AFLW lists.
Belconnen midfielder Maggie Gorham was the leader of the pack, selected with Greater Western Sydney’s first pick (fourth overall), with Queanbeyan trio Jacqui Parry (Melbourne), Hannah Dunn and Alexia Hamilton (both Gold Coast) and Eastlake on-baller Najwa Allen (Adelaide) also selected.
Allen also played for SANFLW side Norwood this year, winning the league best and fairest, while Talia Radan is now at her third AFLW club in West Coast, but started her footy with Belconnen.
The numbers are a significant increase on recent years, with GWS – the only team in the state – traditionally having to scour the country to sign players. This year, NSW locals are being snapped up by other teams across the nation.
New West Coast forward Tarnee Tester may have played in the WAFLW this year but comes from Broken Hill, Giants key Sarah Halverson will be making the journey south from Newcastle, while Georgia Breward (Grafton) will be travelling north to Gold Coast.
Giants signings Lisa Steane, Georgia Garnett and Emily Goodsir all hail from the AFL Sydney competition, as does Brenna Tarrant, who chose to nominate for Victoria and was drafted by Melbourne.
The trio of Tait Mackrill, Rebecca Privitelli and Lisa Whiteley decided to stay in Sydney and play for UNSW Eastern Suburbs after being delisted by the Giants, and their form has been rewarded by being redrafted.
