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2024 AFLW Draft Highlights Key Picks and Surprising Sliders

The 2024 AFLW Draft has concluded, with 60 players selected by 19 clubs, including 58 first-time players. Here are the key highlights from the draft:

Collingwood kicked off the draft by selecting Ash Centra from the Gippsland Power and Vic Country with the first pick. Other top selections included Havana Harris by Gold Coast at pick 2, Molly O’Hehir by Melbourne at pick 3, and Sara Howley by GWS at pick 4.

One of the notable stories of the night was the selection of Lexi Gregor by Geelong at pick 10. Gregor, from the Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country, was expected to be picked later, but Geelong opted to secure her early. Her teammate, Lavinia Cox, was picked by Hawthorn at 15.

Hawthorn had a focus on high upside, selecting Daisy Flockart and Rebecca Clottey, along with AFLW Academy members Grace Baba and Elli Symonds. Symonds was a surprise slider, having been tipped for a first-round pick by some clubs.

Essendon made a significant move by selecting Tasmanian Sophie Strong, who had a limited playing season due to injury but impressed in her one full game. This pick was seen as a risk-reward move by the Bombers.

Other notable sliders included Charlotte Riggs, who was picked by West Coast at 24, and Jasmine Evans, who went to Port Adelaide at 33. North Melbourne secured GWV key forward Claire Mahony, who could have been picked in the teens.

Several players missed out on being drafted, including Sydney and GWS Giants Northern Academy members Emma Juneja and Ash Patton. Other notable omissions included Tasmanian National Academy member Mackenzie Williams and Northern Territory talent Tatyana Perry.

Three clubs – Essendon, Geelong, and Richmond – have open list spots and will have the opportunity to sign players during the Supplemental Selection Period in February.

Top 10 Picks:
- 1 – Collingwood – Ash Centra
- 2 – Gold Coast – Havana Harris
- 3 – Melbourne – Molly O’Hehir
- 4 – GWS – Sara Howley
- 5 – Sydney – Zippy Fish
- 6 – Carlton – Poppy Scholz
- 7 – West Coast – Lou Painter
- 8 – Western Bulldogs – Emma McDonald
- 9 – Essendon – Grace Belloni
- 10 – Geelong – Lexi Gregor

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