Foundation membership Western Bulldogs have snared three of one of the best six gamers within the AFLW draft in a transfer they hope will propel them again up the ladder.
After ending backside this yr, the Bulldogs chosen Western Jets key ahead Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner with the No.1 choose within the draft at Marvel Stadium on Monday night time.
The Bulldogs went to the draft with out a coach after sacking former St Kilda champion Nathan Burke final month following their one-win season.
Bulldogs captain Ellie Blackburn offered Weston-Turner together with her first jumper.
The 18-year-old, who is set to make her debut in spherical one subsequent season, will probably be pressured to mix her Year 12 research with taking part in for the Bulldogs in 2024.
“It means the world to me and my family after growing up being a Bulldogs supporter,” Weston-Turner stated.
“I think it’s just a matter of me communicating with the club and school on what days I need to be where and making sure I’m completing my course work.”
She missed practically months throughout 2023 after breaking her wrist at college, however returned late within the season to play a sport with Vic Metro through the nationwide championships.
Weston-Turner can have a well-recognized face excessive up on the membership, with Bulldogs soccer boss Chris Grant teaching her at junior stage.
“He (Grant) just told me he was proud of me and that they’re happy to have me at the club, it just means the world,” she added.
After West Coast picked GWV Rebels midfielder Jess Rentsch (No.2) and GWS chosen Western Australian winger Kaitlyn Srhoj (No.3), the Bulldogs have been up once more.
Tasmanian midfielder Brooke Barwick missed the complete 2023 season after hurting her ACL however the Bulldogs had no hesitation in drafting her at choose 4.
This yr potential AFLW gamers had the choice of nominating nationally or simply for his or her dwelling state.
Srhoj, who will transfer to the Giants from Perth after by no means having been to Sydney earlier than, believes the draft must finally transfer away from the power to have state-based nominations.
“If we’re going to be semi professional, we need to kind of just let it be national,” Srhoj stated.
“But then again, there’s not enough support (at the moment) financially to move (anywhere) and it really differs with everyone.”
Versatile South Australian Elaine Grigg threw herself into the nationwide pool and the Bulldogs pounced on her at choose six.
The Kenyan-born Grigg first beloved basketball however caught with soccer as she thrives on tackling and inflicting turnovers within the forward-half.
Melbourne, whose premiership defence ended with a straight-sets finals exit, had the fifth choice and selected Eastern Range small ahead Alyssia Pisano.
The Demons additionally introduced in a father-daughter choose, choosing Jemma Rigoni, whose dad Guy performed 107 video games between 1998 and 2005.
AFLW DRAFT
1. Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner (Western Bulldogs)
2. Jess Rentsch (West Coast)
3. Kaitlyn Srhoj (GWS)
4. Brooke Barwick (Western Bulldogs)
5. Alyssia Pisano (Melbourne)
6. Elaine Grigg (Western Bulldogs)
7. Lila Keck (Carlton)
8. Georgia Clark (Collingwood)
9. Lucy Cronin (Collingwood)
10. Kiera Whiley (St Kilda)
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
