AFLW draft a family affair
It was a family affair at Tuesday night’s AFLW draft as three top10 draftees joined their siblings at the elite level.
Gold Coast drafted Charlie Rowbottom, sister of Sydney’s James Rowbottom, and Tegan Levi, sister of Maddi, with picks one and six. Geelong used pick two to select the younger sister of Carlton’s Maddy Prespakis.
No. 1 pick: Charlie Rowbottom has joined the Suns.Credit:AFL Photos
Top two selections Georgie Prespakis and Rowbottom, both from Victoria, were named in the under-19 NAB All-Australian team after strong performances for Vic Metro.
At 179 centimetres, Rowbottom is a midfielder who can use her height and strength to rotate forward and take strong contested marks while also accurate in front of goals.
She also has natural leadership skills, which was clear as she led the Oakleigh Chargers to a premiership in this year’s NAB League.
As the AFLW draft was state-based, Rowbottom surprised the league when she nominated Queensland but said seeing her older brother James make the interstate move made her decision easier.
Rowbottom said although it was the new Gold Coast coach, Cameron Joyce, who lured her to the sunshine state, it was the Queensland lifestyle that was most appealing.
“They showed me how I can help them and how they can help me but they showed me some footage of how I can fit into the team,†Rowbottom said.
“But because I’ve been out of school for a whole year and I’ve been in isolation, I’m keen for a little bit of an adventure and the lifestyle up there really appeals to me as well.â€
Unlike Rowbottom, Prespakis will remain in her home state of Victoria and will be joined in the Cats’ midfield by fellow Calder Cannons teammate Zali Friswell, who was selected with pick seven.
Prespakis, who has a penetrating kick, is known for her tough tackling and ability to move the ball cleanly out of stoppages while Friswell is accurate via foot and hand and has the speed to evade her opposition easily.
Prespakis and Friswell have shown they can match it with bigger bodies at VFLW level, with both looking comfortable through Essendon’s midfield.
Throughout the national carnival, Prespakis was a dominant force in Vic Metro’s midfield with an average of 28 disposals and eight tackles, resulting in her being named the team’s most valuable player.
Fellow Victorians Ella Friend and Stella Reid will have the opportunity to take their game to the next level when they enter the AFLW system with St Kilda and Richmond.
Friend, who came through the Greater Western Victoria Rebels program, is a strong forward known for her contested marking and athletic ability to rotate onto the wing.
Reid, also a forward, will hope to utilise accuracy and excellent game sense when she lines up for the Tigers.
The top 10 was rounded out with Ashanti Bush selected by Gold Coast with pick eight, Gabbi Featherstone by Geelong with nine and Annie Lee by Carlton with 10.
A total of 59 players joined the AFLW through Tuesday’s draft but the early picks were dominated by Victorians with eight of the top 10 draftees coming through the NAB League.
The next crop of AFLW players will get their opportunity when the season starts in December.
AFL DRAFT FIRST ROUND
1. Gold Coast â€" Charlie Rowbottom
2. Geelong â€" Georgie Prespakis
3. West Coast â€" Charlotte Thomas
4. St Kilda â€" Ella Friend
5. Richmond â€" Stella Reid
6. Gold Coast â€" Tegan Levi
7. Geelong â€" Zali Friswell
8. Gold Coast â€" Ashanti Bush
9. Geelong â€" Gabbi Featherstone
10. Carlton: Annie Lee
11. Carlton: Keeley Sherar
12. St Kilda: Ashleigh Richards
13. North Melbourne: Tess Craven
14. Fremantle: Amy Franklin
15. Geelong: Annabel Johnson
16. Richmond: Emelia Yassir
17. Adelaide: Zoe Prowse
18. Brisbane: Maggie Harmer
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