List Mgmt. AFLW Draft 2021 - 27th July @ 6:45pm

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Sep 27, 2012
3,066
3,834
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St Kilda
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Phoenix Suns
Sarah Black has us taking Tess Craven (inside mid from Geelong Falcons) with our first pick (#4) which is Vic Pick #2. And Ashleigh Richards at Pick #12 (M/F at the Stingrays)
 
Last edited:
Sep 27, 2012
3,066
3,834
Behind You
AFL Club
St Kilda
Other Teams
Phoenix Suns
Pick #4 we select

ELLA FRIEND
Pos
Midfielder/forward
Ht 175cm, DOB 30/12/03
From GWV Rebels/Vic Country

A versatile prospect who's a taller midfielder and can also play as a third key up forward. Friend has a nice left boot, is a powerful contested mark and makes good choices with ball in hand. A member of the NAB AFLW Academy, she is one of the youngest in the draft crop, making eligibility by just two days.
 

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Sep 27, 2012
3,066
3,834
Behind You
AFL Club
St Kilda
Other Teams
Phoenix Suns
With Pick #12 we selected

ASHLEIGH RICHARDS
Pos
Forward/midfielder
Ht 170cm, DOB 22/10/03
From Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

Hailing from the Mornington Peninsula, Richards is a versatile prospect who's more than comfortable pushing up the ground. She's a tough customer with good defensive traits who can also hit the scoreboard. A neat mark with quick hands at the contest, Richards was co-captain at Dandenong this year.
 
Saints snap up top-10 talents at 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Draft

St Kilda’s playing list has been given a fresh supply of premium young talent following the selections of Ella Friend and Ashleigh Richards at tonight’s NAB AFL Women’s Draft.

The talented pair were taken with pick No. 4 and pick No. 12 respectively, with the Saints passing on its final selection at pick No. 36.

Friend, one of the youngest players in this year’s draft crop, is poised to deliver a sizeable impact to the Saints’ line-up in a variety of roles.

The 175cm left-footer can play as either an intercept defender, a third tall forward or a midfielder, with the former position likely to be her key post while in St Kilda colours.

A powerful contested mark and a smart decision-maker, Friend’s footy nous shows all the right signs of pairing well with the likes of defenders Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Hannah Priest and Jayde Van Dyk.

Friend joins fellow GWV recruit and Ballarat Grammar boarder Renee Saulitis at RSEA Park for the upcoming AFLW season.

Richards similarly holds all the right attributes to be a versatile option for the Saints up forward and through the midfield.

Originally a defender, the 17-year-old has since thrived in the attacking half of the ground through her toughness and ability to provide scoreboard damage.

Richards co-captained Dandenong Stingrays this season, but also plied her trade with Port Melbourne in the VFLW throughout 2021.

She will reunite with fellow Stingrays products Molly McDonald, Tyanna Smith, Isabella Shannon and Jess Matin at RSEA Park.

St Kilda has one place remaining on its list for the upcoming season after passing on pick No. 36, but has the option of selecting a free agent later this week.
 

Munga

Brownlow Medallist
Jul 2, 2003
12,630
20,261
AFL Club
St Kilda
I can't help but think that there was better quality available in the top 25 than we currently have on our list, missed a chance to load up. Lots of club lists look stronger going into next season, I'm not confident that ours does. Well, if we go backwards next season at least we'll have the last of the early draft picks before the new clubs enter the comp!
 
Geez completely missed this - the coverage by the AFL was pretty poor.

Hopefully the two girls have a real impact next year! Excited for another season of Patrikios & co!


Recap;


 

The Jack

Club Legend
Aug 24, 2013
2,494
6,518
AFL Club
St Kilda
Did the fact that the number 1 pick chose Gold Coast, even though she was from Victoria, cost us a greater talent in Prespakis.

We ended up with the 3rd best Victorian instead of possibly the 2nd best.

Does anyone with any knowledge know how the top 3 Vic girls are rated? Or how it all eventuated?
 

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Did the fact that the number 1 pick chose Gold Coast, even though she was from Victoria, cost us a greater talent in Prespakis.

Basically yes.

I'm no expert, but consensus was that Rowbottom and Prespakis were the standout top 2 in VIC, throw a blanket over the rest.

There is concern over Prespakis being a flight risk though to Essendon when they enter AFLW. I wouldn't put it past Carlton to try and sign her also to join her sister. Would be tough to compete with clubs like Blues & Bombers throwing cars & jobs at these semi-professional athletes.
 

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