By Scott Spits
The AFLW’s brave new world of a national draft where players could end up anywhere in the country had an immediate impact on Monday night as numerous star young footballers started to put together plans to relocate interstate.
Among the top 10 picks alone in the AFLW’s first unrestricted national draft, five players will be criss-crossing the country, including No.3 pick Molly O’Hehir who joins Melbourne from South Fremantle and Lucia Painter who was snapped by West Coast after playing for the Bendigo Pioneers.
But nobody was really complaining about the realities of the ever-evolving AFLW competition as it prepares for its 10th season; the excitement of being snapped up by one of the league’s 18 clubs was the dominant emotion.
Surrounded by friends and family, Ash Centra is drafted to Collingwood.Credit: AFL Photos
Collingwood however chose a star Victorian player with the top pick, selecting Gippsland product Ash Centra to wear the black and the white.
“Being selected as the number one draft pick is an honour, and I’m excited to be welcomed into the team with such a passionate and dedicated fan base,” said midfielder Centra who hails from the tiny town of Seaspray and played footy for Sale.
New Magpie Ash Centra.Credit: AFL Photos
“It’s a childhood dream come true to play at the AFLW level, and I’m looking forward to learning from the experienced players and coaches around me to further develop my craft.
“The opportunity to be the first pick is something I’ll never take for granted, and I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m fully committed to bring my best.”
Nearly 60 players had their names called out at the Marvel Stadium event, including father-daughter recruit Sophie McKay joining Carlton and India Rasheed, the daughter of tennis coach and former Port Adelaide director Roger Rasheed, being picked up by Adelaide.
Former Essendon player Paige Scott was taken by Richmond at pick 31.
Poppy Scholz is welcomed to Carlton by Keeley Sherar.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
After Centra was confirmed as a Magpie to start the draft, Gold Coast academy player Havana Harris had her future with the Suns secured as the second selection overall.
Melbourne forced Gold Coast’s hand, making a bid on the 182cm top prospect.
With the next selection, the Demons went for Molly O’Hehir. Sara Howley was drafted to GWS Giants with pick four while Sydney’s quick decision to punt on Zippy Fish from East Fremantle rounded out the top five selections.
Zippy Fish is embraced after being picked up by the Swans with the No.5 pick. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Draft’s New Reality: Interstate Moves
Fish summed up the theme of young guns having to pack their bags and move to a new state next year.
The 160cm defender and midfielder said she started playing footy in 2021, when she made her way to East Fremantle to follow some friends.
“It will be a big move,” said Fish, who will initially put off her physical education studies.
“I think I will defer for the first six months, to try and crack into the team.”
Aside from South Fremantle player O’Hehir (Melbourne), Bendigo Pioneers player Painter (West Coast) and East Fremantle’s Fish (Sydney), the other leading picks who’ll be hitting the road are Geelong Falcon Sarah Howley (Greater Western Sydney) and Glenelg’s Poppy Scholz, who was snapped by Carlton with the sixth pick.
It highlighted the distinctly national flavour of draft night for 2024.
Ash Centra is welcomed to Collingwood by Brittany Bonnici (left) and Josh Fraser (right).Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Painter’s selection by the Eagles was met with rapturous applause from her family, delighted the 18-year-old was getting a shot at the top level.
“I’m so keen. I’m over the moon right now,” Painter said.
And when Melbourne called out O’Hehir’s name with the third selection, the 179cm athletic defender was close to speechless.
“I’m so excited. I’m lost for words to be honest,” she recalled later.
“I’m a yapper and usually I talk away, but I don’t even know what to say right now.
“I didn’t believe it, like I kind of forgot to get up at first. I just heard it and was shocked but I’m so, so happy. So excited.”
She will take the relocation across the continent in her stride.
“Obviously my family I’m really close to them, and Mum is like one of my best friends, so it’s obviously going to be a big challenge,” she said.
“But I’ve got such a good support system at the Dees now to help look after me.
“Women’s footy has come so far. To be equal to the boys now in the draft is really, really cool.
“If you want to play a professional sport, you’ve got to move sometimes.
“It’s so, so exciting to have a national draft now.”
Father-Daughter Selections
Carlton added to their strong family ties, picking up Sophie McKay from the Sandringham Dragons with the 17th pick.
McKay is the daughter of club stalwart Andrew McKay, who played 244 games for the Blues, and the sister of current co-vice captain Abbie McKay.
“Honestly Dad was Dad, it’s never really been in the conversation,” reflected Sophie McKay after her name was called out.
“Yeah we know he played [in the AFL], but he’s just Dad.”
The club’s head of AFLW, Ash Naulty, said the Blues were rapt to secure her.
“Sophie is an elite runner and ball user, always looking to involve teammates in the game and has shown great game awareness. Her skill, accuracy and composure to be able to hit the scoreboard at speed is a vital trait that will have great impact in our forward half.”
Keeping It Local For The Rasheeds
One young star who’ll be staying home in South Australia is India Rasheed, the daughter of former professional tennis player turned coach and TV analyst Roger Rasheed.
Sturt prospect Rasheed was quickly snapped by Adelaide with their first pick at No.13, preventing her going to cross-town rival Port Adelaide.
“It’s an exciting time for the family, as I said before it doesn’t matter what jumper you’re wearing, you just want to play the sport,” Roger Rasheed said.
“We’re really proud of her.”
India Rasheed.Credit: AFL Photos
India Rasheed could have also pursued tennis, but at age 12 decided to wanted to play a team sport like Australian Rules.
“I’ve been really big on her just doing what she wants to do. I’m just Dad,” her father said.
“Obviously, you have some knowledge [about professional sport], and you can nurture and give her some education.
“She’s loved her tennis, and she loves her tennis. We play a lot, but she also loves her footy. She loves her team and being around people.
“It’s been very inspiring for me to watch her.”
Every pick
Round one
1. Collingwood - Ash Centra
2. Gold Coast (matching Melbourne’s bid) - Havana Harris
3. Melbourne - Molly O’Hehir
4. Greater Western Sydney - Sara Howley
5. Sydney - Zippy Fish
6. Carlton - Poppy Scholz
7. West Coast - Lucia Painter
8. Western Bulldogs - Emma McDonald
9. Essendon - Grace Belloni
10. Geelong - Alexis Gregor
11. Richmond - Sierra Grieves
12. Essendon - Holly Ridewood
13. Adelaide - India Rasheed
14. Fremantle - Georgie Brisbane
15. Hawthorn - Lavinia Cox
16. Brisbane - Claudia Wright
17. Carlton (matching Geelong’s bid) - Sophie McKay
18. Geelong - Sienna Tallariti
19. Port Adelaide - Lily Paterson
20. Richmond - Zoe Hargreaves
Round two
21. Melbourne - Maggie Mahony
22. Greater Western Sydney - Grace Martin
23. Hawthorn - Daisy Flockart
24. West Coast - Charlotte Riggs
25. Western Bulldogs - Sarah Poustie
26. Collingwood - Georgia Knight
27. Gold Coast - Heidi Talbot
28. Hawthorn - Grace Baba
29. Gold Coast (matching Essendon’s bid) - Mia Salisbury
30. Essendon - Taya Chambers
31. Richmond - Paige Scott
32. St Kilda - Zoe Besanko
33. Port Adelaide - Jasmine Evans
34. Fremantle - Holly Egan
35. Essendon - Sophie Strong
36. North Melbourne - Claire Mahony
Round three
37. Geelong - Piper Dunlop
38. Fremantle - Evie Parker
39. Brisbane - Lilly Baker
40. Port Adelaide - Jemma Whitington-Charity
41. Gold Coast - Nyalli Milne
42. Collingwood (matching North Melbourne’s bid) - Violet Patterson
43. North Melbourne - Amy Gavin Mangan
44. Adelaide - Georgia McKee
45. Hawthorn - Elli Symonds
46. Carlton - Loulou Field
47. Gold Coast - Tara Harrington
48. Port Adelaide - Chloe Gaunt
49. Western Bulldogs - Keeley Hardingham
50. Hawthorn - Rebecca Clottey
51. Fremantle - Indi Strom
52. Port Adelaide - Jasmine Sowden
53. West Coast - Lucy Boyd
Round four
54. Richmond - PASS
55. St Kilda - Kyla Forbes
56. Sydney - Amelia Martin
57. West Coast - Kayla Dalgleish
58. St Kilda - Alana Gee
Round five
59. Essendon - PASS
60. Sydney - Caitlin Reid
Round six
61. Sydney - Sarah Steele-Park
Round seven
62. Geelong - PASS
63. Melbourne - Amelia Dethridge
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