Western Bulldogs select Gabby Newton as No. 1 pick in the 2019 AFLW draft
She can play midfield and forward and now has the title of No. 1 draft pick next to her name. But how did Gabby Newton put the finishing touches on her interview with the Western Bulldogs?
AFLW
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Gabby Newton thanks the home brand brownie mix.
The star was on Tuesday named the latest No. 1 AFL Women’s draft pick after her name was read first by the Western Bulldogs, the second top choice to land at Whitten Oval in three years.
She admitted she had been nervous in the lead-up to the draft process when she hadn’t heard from the Dogs — who were yet to appoint her then-Vic Metro coach Nathan Burke to the helm — but couldn’t have been more comfortable once the home interviews rolled around.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“I was a bit worried, because I didn’t hear from them for a while — I guess because they were trying to find a coach,” Newton said.
“Once I did get to meet with them, I just knew that I would be so happy.
“I was so nervous, but I made them brownies and apparently they were a hit so I was very glad. They just made me feel so comfortable in the process. I’m so glad that I’ve ended up here now.
“The brownies were just Woolies’ packet mix. They can be my specialty now.”
Newton, 18, admitted she had been “a bit grumpy at times” in recent weeks and joked that her family would be glad the draft is finally over.
She prefers to play in the midfield but at 175cm could prove a handy target with former Dogs goalkicker Katie Brennan now at Richmond.
Her two best friends Nell Morris-Dalton and Isabella Grant were also selected by the Dogs with pick six and a father-daughter pick at 47 respectively.
The Northern Knights skipper and two-time Under 18 All-Australian has spent two years in the AFL Academy after shifting her focus to football.
She had juggled the two sports until she was forced out of football in her early teens due to being unable to play alongside the junior boys.
Basketball had her focus, playing NBL1 for the Southern Sabres and Vic Metro, before making the ultimate decision to turn back to the Sherrin last year.
Newton hasn’t ruled out a return to the court — just not yet.
“It’s gradually been coming over the years (the choice),” she said.
“There’s been a few instances — in the All-Australian game last year, I missed a basketball final for it. That was the first thing where it was like ‘footy is my passion’. But this year when I just made the focus footy — I still played basketball, and I enjoyed so much playing with the NBL1 team at Southern Sabres, but footy was definitely the priority.”
It has paid off.
Burke said Newton was “one of the best handballers — male or female — that I’ve seen play the game” and “the way that she brings her teammates into the game is a special talent”.
Newton couldn’t contain her excitement in the chaotic few hours that followed, but said returning to her studies would be a quick transition as VCE exams loom.
MORE AFLW
Mo Hope withdraws from AFLW Draft to concentrate on family and her own mental health
Drafted! Meet the latest additions to Brisbane Lions’ AFLW squad
“I’m kind of used to always being on the go,” she said, having already secured early entry to a Bachelor of Science at Latrobe University.
“I think I’ll celebrate for a little bit and then be hitting the books tomorrow.”
AFL WOMEN’S DRAFT 2019
1 Gabby Newton (Western Bulldogs)
2 Lucy McEvoy (Carlton)
3 Lily Postlethwaite (Brisbane)
4 Maggie Gorham (GWS)
5 Georgia Patrikios (St Kilda)
6 Nell Morris-Dalton (Western Bulldogs)
7 Sophie Molan (Richmond)
8 Gemma Lagioia (Western Bulldogs)
9 Elisabeth Georgostathis (Western Bulldogs)
10 Ellie Gavalas (North Melbourne)
Originally published as Western Bulldogs select Gabby Newton as No. 1 pick in the 2019 AFLW draft