AFLW Draft: Five Northern Knights players selected in premiership year
Northern Knights capped an outstanding season as five of their stars found homes at the top level in the AFLW Draft. Gabrielle Newton was crowned the No.1 selection.
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Three Northern Knights stars will continue their football journeys together after they were snapped up by Western Bulldogs in the AFLW Draft.
Gabrielle Newton was crowned the No.1 selection, capping a memorable 2019, while Nell Morris-Dalton (pick No.6) and Britney Gutknecht (pick No.48) were also taken by the Dogs.
Sarah Sansonetti (pick No.40) and Ciara Fitzgerald (pick No.87) also found homes at the top level after they were selected by Richmond.
Knights talent manager Zoe Slatter said the five players were “role models for the next generation” as the Knights put the finishing touches on an outstanding year after winning the NAB League Girls flag.
“That’s a significant number and a significant moment in time to have those players reach their top-age year together,” Slatter said.
“I’ve just been reflecting what incredible women they are, and obviously the Western Bulldogs see that too by selecting three of them.
“It’s certainly an advantage in that they know how each other plays on the field.
“All three are different personalities in how they go about things and analyse the game. They’ll do well together.”
Strong-bodied midfielder Newton averaged just under 20 disposals, three marks and five tackles a game to lead the Knights to the ultimate prize.
She backed it up with an outstanding Under-18 National Championships campaign — averaging 18 disposals, 4.5 marks and 3.7 tackles — to earn her second All-Australian guernsey.
Slatter said Newton had no knowledge her name would be called first before the draft.
“It was a certainly a surprise for Gabby and her family. It was a genuine shock,” she said.
“She’s an incredibly eloquent and articulate young lady, so she spoke from the heart and was overwhelmed.
“She’s someone who is versatile, so I can see why they’ve gone with her and they also get that potential future captain personality in their group. She’s mature beyond her years.”
Slatter credited boys’ talent manager Rhy Gieschen for his hard work before the inaugural under-18 girls season in 2017.
“These are the players he brought into the program initially,” she said.
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