AFLW: Western Jets’ Montana Ham, Charlotte Baskaran among top talents

Western Jets including the “best player in the country” and “the type of person” a new team would dream of are among the club’s most exciting prospects ahead of the AFLW Draft.

A stunning year for the Western Jets is set to go up a gear this week.

Several of the Jets NAB League Girls premiership players look set to be picked up in the AFLW Draft on Wednesday night to add another chapter to an exciting 2022 story.

Earlier this year, the Robbie Chancellor coached side took out the state’s elite junior competition premiership — the first in the club’s history for boys or girls.

Meanwhile, two Jets have already found their way onto AFLW list.

Jemima Woods signed with the Western Bulldogs ahead of the 2022 season after training with the Jets during pre-season and has since joined Richmond after being delisted.

Montana Ham has nominated for the NSW Draft zone. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Key forward Caitlin Sargent signed with expansion club Essendon shortly after the completion of the NAB League season.

But the cohort of Jets players starring in the national competition is set to grow significantly.

One of the first players to have their name called is expected to be Montana Ham who looks likely to join Sydney, another expansion club, after she nominated the NSW draft zone.

“I think she’s the best player in the country,” Chancellor said.

“She had all the weapons to be a good player at the start of the season and she brought into other things we wanted to teach her and this has put Mon in this position.”

Charlotte Baskaran. Photo: AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Ham might not be the only top 10 selection hailing from Melbourne’s west either with Jets captain Charlotte Baskaran high on the list of the expansion clubs.

“If you’re a new club who is starting out and aiming to build a new culture, Charlotte is the type of person you want to have in your group,” Chancellor said.

“She’s a really good leader at her age. She had a fantastic year off footy and has built a really impressive profile for herself.

“The club that picks Charlotte will be getting a fantastic player and person.”

Laura Elliott. Photo: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos.

Intercept defender Laura Elliott also looms as one of the Jets best prospects after a standout season where she earned Vic Metro selection.

Chancellor said the 170cm rising star was one of the “better readers of the play” during the 2022 season.

“Laura grew into a role where we encouraged her to come off her opponent and impact the contest,” he said.

“Her ability to win the ball back for us and help drive the ball out of defence got better with every game she played.”

Stephanie Asciak. Photo: Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos.

Trinity Skenderis. Photo: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos.

Inside midfielders Stephanie Asciak and Trinity Skenderis are two other names to keep an eye out for on draft night according to Chancellor after both returned to the Jets program as 19-year-olds.

“I think they’ve both had underrated seasons,” he said.

“They did a lot of hard work on the inside and probably didn’t get a lot of credit outside of the club as they deserved. I’m very hopeful they’ll both get an opportunity.”

Krystal Russell. Photo: AFL Photos/Getty Images.

Premiership ruck Krystal Russell, who kicked the winning goal in the decider, is the club’s “most raw” talent ahead of the draft.

Her development went to another level throughout the season according to Chancellor which has put her right in calculations for a place on an AFLW list.

“I think she would be a longer term prospect for clubs,” he said.

“Krystal has all the attributes and her game is still growing. We focused on her ruck work and follow up this year and I think she got a lot out of herself.”