Five SANFLW players selected in 2023 AFLW Draft

By ZAC MILBANK

Five SANFLW players have had their dreams realised after being selected in the 2023 AFLW Draft on Monday night.

Central District premiership speedster Elaine Grigg was the first SANFLW player to have her name called, by the Western Bulldogs at pick No.6.

A member of South Australia’s victorious AFLW U18 National Championship team, Grigg will remain in the red, white and blue to begin her career at elite level.

The tenacious tackler, originally from Kenya, paid tribute to all of those involved with her development at both North Adelaide and the Bulldogs in the Hostplus SANFLW League.

”Definitely coming from Kenya, it (football) has helped me build a strong community with the girls,” Grigg told the AFLW website.

”I love playing footy to have a connection to the girls and everyone I have met through the program, I’m just so grateful to be here.

”Sometimes I get a bit overzealous but I love tackling as that is my main trait – I love it.”

Glenelg superstar Piper Window was the second Croweater to be selected, by Port Adelaide at pick No.19.

The granddaughter of 1965 Magarey Medallist Gary Window capped off her sensational season, which saw her win the SANFLW Best and Fairest Award, captain the winning SA U18 team and earn selection in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

”This whole season has been a pinch-yourself moment leading up to this so I’m very excited and so happy to have my whole family here,” Window said.

”I always played netball so I never really knew how big it (Window family name) was but only a few years ago I transitioned across to football and then I realised how much my family was involved so I think it was the right decision.

”It is so exciting and I am really grateful to my family.”

South Adelaide then supplied a trio of talented players, led by prolific midfielder Brooke Boileau, who headed to Adelaide at pick No.22.

Developing defender Alissa Brook, who hails from Victor Harbor, also stayed local when she landed at Alberton with pick No.25.

Hard-running wing Holly Ifould left it late to have her name called by Fremantle at pick No.49, rounding out the SA selections.

With a number of teams passing on selections at the AFLW Draft, several more SANFLW players could be snapped up as AFLW Free Agents.

As many as four South Australians have already been chosen by AFLW clubs, with Central District premiership player Caitlin Wendland heading to Brisbane as an Injury Replacement Player.

Earlier this month, Port Adelaide swooped on star South Australian trio Lauren Young (West Adelaide), Shineah Goody (Woodville-West Torrens) and Molly Brooksby (Norwood) under the  AFLW’s Expansion U18 Talent Pathway Period.