2019 AFLW Draft Preview – Who are NSW/ACT’s Top Prospects?

With the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Draft to take place at the Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds tomorrow morning, we take a look at the top AFL NSW/ACT prospects vying for a spot on an AFLW list for the 2020 AFL Women’s season.

Georgia Garnett 

Castle Hill’s Georgia Garnett was the standout Under 18’s player for AFL NSW/ACT in 2019. Named captain of the Eastern Allies earlier this year, Garnett provides plenty of drive from defence, regularly running past teammates and receiving the ball on the move. The 18-year-old is damaging by foot and has been likened to GWS GIANTS defender Zac Williams for her pace and natural athleticism.

Brenna Tarrant

Following a string of strong performances during the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 Championships, Brenna Tarrant was the sole representative in the All-Australian team for NSW/ACT this year. Growing up in New South Wales, the 18-year-old started playing football with Emu Plains, before moving on to play for the East Coast Eagles. Modelling her playing style on the likes of Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney and AFL Women’s player Alyce Parker, Tarrant will be one to watch if given an AFLW chance in 2020.

Alexia Hamilton

Queanbeyan Tigers’ utility Lexi Hamilton is seeking a shot at draft redemption, having missed out on selection in 2018. Hamilton was invited to the AFLW Draft Combine last year, but was overlooked despite earning selection in the All-Australian squad. Describing herself as an aggressive player who enjoys body contact and laying strong tackles to win clean possession of the ball, Hamilton will look to finally get a chance at the highest level in 2020.

Georgia Breward

Georgia Breward has gone from strength to strength since joining Coolangatta Tweed in the Queensland metropolitan competition this year. A promising footballer from the Grafton Tigers, Breward suffered a devastating Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in 2018. Working with the Gold Coast Suns Academy, Breward returned to full fitness this year, reintroducing herself as a genuine draft prospect.

Eloise Hiller-Stanbrook

Hiller-Stanbrook averaged 14 hitouts per game in the AFL Women’s Under-18 Championships this year, also spending time as a hit up forward. While teams will look at Hiller-Stanbrook as a ruck prospect, her ability to play across the field will bode well.

Maggie Gorham

Belconnen Magpies forward Maggie Gorham’s dominant year was epitomised by winning AFL Canberra’s Bainrot Medal, the league’s Best and Fairest award. Having walked away from football in 2017, Gorham returned in 2018, with her ability to hit the scoreboard making her one of Canberra’s most exciting draft prospects. Gorham has nominated for the draft in the NSW zone, meaning she could be reunited with former Magpie Jodie Hicks at the GWS GIANTS.

Najwa Allen

Norwood midfielder Najwa Allen left a lasting first impression on the Statewide Super Women’s League after winning the 2019 Best and Fairest Award. Recruited from Eastlake in Canberra during the off-season, Allen was prolific this season, averaging 25.4 disposals, five marks and three clearances. The 25-year-old also impacted the scoreboard, finishing with seven goals for the year.

Hannah Dunn 

Hannah Dunn played alongside Najwa Allaen for Norwood in the South Australian league this season, finishing third in the competition’s best and fairest count before returning to the Queanbeyan Tigers. The 28-year-old has declared for the AFLW draft in a bid to add to her lone AFL Women’s appearance for the GIANTS in 2017.

Jacqui Parry

AFL Canberra’s leading goal kicker in 2019, Queanbeyan Tigers forward Jacqui Parry enjoyed a stellar individual season. Parry scored 53 goals for Queanbeyan this season, including five in the Tigers’ Grand Final win over Belconnen.

Jessica Stramandinoli

Having made her VFLW debut for the GWS GIANTS in their invitational match against Essendon earlier this season, Canberra’s Jessica Stramandinoli also represented Collingwood in the VFLW in 2019. A tenacious small forward from the Queanbeyan Tigers, Stramandinoli finished second in AFL Canberra’s Bainrot Medal count.

Lisa Steane

Steane captained Nelson Bay to their first women’s championship and was named the Black Diamond AFL women’s Best and Fairest player in 2016. The Salamander Bay product was part of Macquarie University’s 2019 AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division Premiership and also played for the GIANTS in the VFLW competition this season.

Sarah Halverson 

Sarah Halvorsen’s height, athleticism and netball background will put her in good stead ahead of the AFLW draft. Halvorsen, who plays for Newcastle City in the AFL Hunter Central Coast competition, has previously experienced VFLW football with the GWS GIANTS.

Emily Goodsir 

East Coast Eagles’ star Emily Goodsir finished second to GWS GIANTS’ AFLW captain Amanda Farrugia in the Mostyn Medal this season, AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division best and fairest award.

How does the AFLW draft work?

Unlike the men’s competition, the AFLW Draft is not a true national draft, but rather a state-based draft system.

Prospective players must nominate only one state pool they wish to be assigned to ahead of the draft.

As the GWS GIANTS are the only team in NSW, the club has access to players who have nominated for the NSW pool, meaning the draft order has less impact on who the GIANTS can select compared to clubs in other states that have more than one team.

Players from NSW and the ACT are able to nominate for other state pools.

What picks do the GIANTS’ have?

The GIANTS enter the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft with nine picks: 4, 23, 29, 61, 76, 90, 95, 97 and 99. 

Follow the Draft LIVE on the offical AFL Women’s website  from 10:30 AEST.

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