2019 AFLW SA Draftees

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia continues to enhance its standing on the national stage after having a record 14 Croweaters selected in the 2019 AFLW Draft in Melbourne on Tuesday.

After having six players chosen in 2017 and nine last year, SA extended its record into double figures for the first time as the standard of the SANFL Statewide Super Women’s League gains respect.

SANFL Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill said the bumper South Australian Women’s draft haul was further evidence of the continual growth and evolving talent identification in the state.

Adelaide selected a mixture of youth and experience with its eight selections, headlined by dual South Adelaide premiership ruck Montana McKinnon at No.14.

The Crows then selected SANFL Best and Fairest winner Najwa Allen at No.37 after the 25 year-old Norwood star averaged 25.4 disposals in 2019.

Highly-rated emerging South Australians Jaimi Tabb (Eagles), Caitlin Could (Glenelg) and West Adelaide pair Madison Newman and Chelsea Biddell also found a home at West Lakes.

AFLW All-Australian Courtney Gum was snapped up by the Crows at No.83 while Panthers premiership player Nicole Campbell was another wise head chosen to don the red, gold and blue.

Glenelg’s Lucy Bellinger and Norwood’s Hannah Dunn were the surprise packets in being selected by Brisbane and the Gold Coast respectively inside the top 25 picks.

Redleg Hannah Priest, North’s Brittany Perry, South’s Cheyenne Hammond and Norwood’s Ebony O’Dea were the other SANFL Women’s players to get an AFLW opportunity across the border.

SA could still have a handful of other players join AFLW clubs as the Free Agency window now opens.

SANFL Club: South Adelaide
Local Club: Morphettville Park
Age: 18
Height: 183cm
Position: Ruck, Tall forward
2019 SANFL Games: 11
Averaged 12.4 disposals and 15.1 hit outs

SANFL Club: Glenelg
Local Club: Morphettville Park
Age: 26
Height: 178cm
Position: Tall forward
2019 SANFL Games: 11
Averaged 13.5 disposals 4.3 marks and 4.1 tackles in 2019

SANFL Club: Norwood
Local Club: Queanbeyan Tigers (Canberra)
Age: 28
Height: 168cm
Position: Midfielder
2019 SANFL Games: 12
Averaged 21 disposals and 4.4 tackles in 2019

SANFL Club: Norwood
Local Club: Eastlake Demons (Canberra)
Age: 25
Height: 174cm
Position: Midfielder
2019 SANFL Games: 10
Averaged 25.4 disposals, five marks, three clearances and three inside 50s in 2019

SANFL Club: Norwood
Local Club: Morphettville Park
Age: 27
Height: 168cm
Position: Midfielder/defender
2019 SANFL Games: 12
Averaged 13.5 disposals at 75 per cent disposal efficiency in 2019

SANFL Club: North Adelaide
Local Club: Angle Vale
Age: 25
Height: 168cm
Position: Midfielder/medium forward
2019 SANFL Games: 7
Averaged 16 disposals and 5 tackles in 2019

SANFL Club: South Adelaide
Local Club: Christies Beach
Age: 25
Height: 170cm
Position: Midfielder, medium forward
2019 SANFL Games: 11
Averaged 15.1 disposals at 81 per cent disposal efficiency in 2019

SANFL Club: Woodville-West Torrens
Local Club: West Adelaide (SAWFL)
Age: 18
Height: 168cm
Position: Utility
2019 SANFL Games: 7
Averaged 14.6 disposals and 5.4 tackles in 2019

SANFL Club: South Adelaide
Local Club: Christies Beach
Age: 21
Height: 170cm
Position: Running defender
2019 SANFL Games: 12
Averaged 12 disposals at 78 per cent disposal efficiency in 2019

SANFL Club: Glenelg
Local Club: Happy Valley
Age: 20
Height: 181cm
Position: Ruck, tall forward
2019 SANFL Games: 11
Averaged 13.5 disposals and 4.5 tackles in 2019

SANFL Club: South Adelaide
Local Club: Morphettville Park/Adelaide University
Age: 38
Height: 170cm
Position: Midfielder
2018 South Adelaide Premiership player and 2018 All-Australian and AFLW Players’ MVP

SANFL Club: Norwood
Local Club: Adelaide University
Age: 20
Height: 167cm
Position: Defender

SANFL Club: West Adelaide
Local Club: West Adelaide (SAWFL)
Age: 18
Height: 168cm
Position: Running defender
2019 SANFL Games: 10
Averaged 18.7 disposals and six rebound 50s in 2019

SANFL Club: West Adelaide
Local Club: West Adelaide (SAWFL)
Age: 21
Height: 178cm
Position: Utility
Averaged 12.3 disposals, four marks and two goals in 2019