South Adelaide’s Lisa Whiteley will join Panthers premiership coach Krissie Steen at GWS

A South Adelaide defender is set to reunite with Panthers teammate and coach at GWS after being picked at the AFLW draft.

South Adelaide defender Lisa Whiteley has been drafted by GWS. Picture: Nick Hook

FOOTBALLER Lisa Whiteley never backs away from a contest and loves nothing more than going in for the hardball gets.

Now Whiteley, who was named the “most ferocious” player at South Adelaide after its SANFLW campaign this year, will have a chance to test her skills on a national stage.

Greater Western Sydney selected the hard-nosed defender, who helped lead the Panthers to a state league flag this year, with pick No. 52 at the AFLW draft in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Whiteley, 25, will join South premiership coach Krissie Steen, who is an assistant at the Giants, and ex-Panthers star Courtney Gum, who is also in their playing ranks.

South Adelaide’s Lisa Whiteley (left) will play in the AFLW next year with Greater Western Sydney after getting selected at last week’s national draft. Picture: Nick Hook

“It’s hard to describe the feeling – I guess I feel pretty privileged right now to be drafted,” Whiteley, of Aberfoyle Park, says.

“It’s a dream come true.

“I suppose I go in pretty hard and I like a physical tackle. I love being able to win the hard ball in that one-on-one situation

“My strengths are being able to read the ball in the air and I have a strong overhead mark, too.

“Krissie was such a great person to play under, she just inspired us like no other coach ever has and I’m really excited to keep working with her.”

Lisa Whiteley joins former teammate Courtney Gum (pictured left) and ex-Panthers senior coach Krissie Steen (pictured right with their son Buz) at GWS next year. Gum plays for the Giants and Steen is an assistant at the AFLW club. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

Whiteley grew up playing netball as a wing defence with Woods Panthers’ Premier League and reserves sides.

She only switched to Australian rules two years ago and featured with Morphettville Park in the Adelaide Footy League women’s division one competition.

South recruited Whiteley for its inaugural SANFLW campaign this past year and she was in the team that beat Norwood in the grand final at Unley Oval in April.

“I probably didn’t realise that AFLW was achievable to begin with, to be honest,” the Aldinga Beach schoolteacher says.

South Adelaide players celebrate after winning this year’s SANFLW premiership. Picture: Deb Curtis

“I only sort of realised those opportunities when I started playing with South Adelaide and then it went from there.

“I can’t say better things about South Adelaide as a club in terms of the way they took us on board.

“It was such an amazing experience and we were so looked after and welcomed by everyone.

“I’m looking forward to playing with GWS and I’d love to improve my skills and my understanding of the game, being quite new to it.”