Gabriella Pound to join Carlton

Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media

Albury’s ex-pat Gabriella Pound has been selected by Carlton with pick 30 in the NAB AFL Women’s Draft held last Wednesday.

Pound’s football career started in Wagga Wagga, where she played with the Riverina Lions – “I got in contact with the Riverina Lions, where I attended a couple of training sessions and eventually played a few games for them.”

In 2011, she was also selected in the NSW/ACT Youth Girls team – “I jumped into the U18 state team, where we played Gold Coast and Adelaide. I was lucky enough to be named in the All-Australian team. It all happened pretty quickly considering I barely played any club footy.’

Pound moved to Melbourne in her gap year to play football for Melbourne University and has played there ever since, “I loved footy so much, so I decided to go to Melbourne for my gap year to join those tougher competitions. I absolutely loved it after one year, so I decided to stay with the team.”

Pound is ecstatic to be included on Carlton’s list “I had a few meetings with Carlton. I also had a screening with Collingwood and chats with the Western Bulldogs. But Carlton was the club that took a big interest with me, they told me they wanted to pick me up quiet early and they did. I couldn’t be happier.”

“It’s surreal, I’m really proud to be a part of history.”

“It’s crazy, who would have thought there would be an actual Women’s league playing in AFL colours.”

Pound is now preparing for the dreaded pre-season training “I think some of the girls are doing a pre pre-season to prepare. I’ve received a program from my Strength and Conditioning Coach at Carlton, so I’ll be starting very soon.”

“I know we are going to be hammered at pre-season. We don’t know what’s coming but we know it’s going to be tough.”

Pound’s advice for young girls who dream of playing AFL is “If you love footy, keep going. I’m from the country and I made. Put your mind to it and you’ll get there”.

“Women’s AFL is going to explode, it’s going to be good!”

The inaugural AFL Women’s competition will kick off in February next year.