Collingwood are set to avoid gambling on an interstate prospect and claim top Victorian Ash Centra with the prized No.1 pick in the AFLW draft.
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This year's draft has extra intrigue as it is the first to be fully national - meaning players who nominated have opted in to be selected to any club in Australia.
The draft was initially divided up into state-based pools, while last year players could nominate for their region or nationally.
But with far better pay packets on the line than in the competition's early days, those options not longer exist.
Still, Collingwood won't even have to contemplate a "go-home" factor if, as expected, they pick classy Gippsland Power midfielder Centra with the top pick.
Centra averaged more than 27 disposals for the Power last season, with her efforts headlined by her game one effort of 47 disposals and four goals.
She's an excitement machine who has starred for both Australia and Victoria Country throughout the 2024 season â�ï¸�— Coates Talent League (@TalentLeague) Get to know @Gippsland_Power ball magnet Ash Centra#GenNext pic.twitter.com/9uYh4mSkHsAugust 15, 2024
The draft from there appears to depend on whether Melbourne opt for one of two West Australians, intercept defender Molly O'Hehir or dynamic speedster Zipporah 'Zippy' Fish, at pick No.2.
Fish averaged 24.6 disposals, 4.6 tackles and four clearances, along with kicking eight goals across 13 matches for East Fremantle, and is considered one of the most dynamic prospects available.
Gold Coast academy prospect Havana Harris is among the most highly-rated players in the draft, but the Suns will only have to match a bid for the towering ruck/forward, likely using pick No.19.
The Suns have four other academy prospects: Mia Salisbury, Tara Harrington, Nyalli Milne and Heidi Talbot
Gold Coast previously traded pick No.2 to the Demons as part of the six-club deal that landed Lily Mithen.
Essendon hold picks No.8 and No.11 after dealing talented youngster Amber Clarke to St Kilda for their first pick (No.8).
Who will the Pies take with pick one?— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) The order is locked in for the 2024 @Telstra AFLW Draft on Monday, December 16 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kFCFrCClfyDecember 12, 2024
The draft contains some famous family names.
Forward India Rasheed, daughter of prominent tennis coach Roger Rasheed, is expected to be the first South Australian taken, likely within the first handful of picks.
Carlton are expected to match a bid for midfielder Sophie McKay - the daughter of club great Andrew and younger sister of Blues star Abbie.
But they will hope that bid doesn't come before their pick No.5.
Collingwood also have a father-daughter prospect, Violet Patterson, daughter of Stephen, in their sights.
Classy half-back Tatyana Perry, the niece of Aaron and Alwyn Davey and cousin of current AFL Bomber Alwyn Davey Jnr, is also in the mix.
Poppy Scholz, sister of Port Adelaide Rising Star winner Matilda Scholz, is also eligible for the draft.
Richmond, meanwhile, will hope Paige Scott slides to their pick No.31 after the former Essendon forward entered the draft following a botched trade to the Tigers.
AFLW DRAFT TOP 10
1. Collingwood
2. Melbourne
3. GWS
4. Sydney
5. Carlton
6. West Coast
7. Western Bulldogs
8. Essendon
9. Geelong
10. RichmondÂ
Australian Associated Press