By Jonty Ralphsmith
Warragul Industrials teenager Lilly Leighton is capturing late interest ahead of the AFLW Draft.
Held on 16 December, it is anticipated there will be about 50 players selected, with Leighton in the frame as a late selection despite not playing in the under-18s national championships.
An athletic midfielder with a penchant for the contest, Leighton averaged 14 disposals and four tackles for Gippsland this year.
While much of the opposition attention during Power games went to likely number one pick Ash Centra, Leighton used her power and stoppage craft to punish teams.
“My confidence has grown a lot from last year and I felt that on the field,” Leighton said.
“This year, I put myself out there more, believed in myself and didn’t let external factors stop me.
“During games, I didn’t dwell on things and when I had the ball in my hands, I had a bit more composure which allowed me to show off my strengths, particularly my agility and speed.”
Her athletic profile was highlighted by an eyecatching display at the AFLW Draft Combine, which included a third placed finish in the agility test.
Leighton’s journey started in 2019, playing in the Dusties’ under-18s side, with and against players up to six years her senior.
After coming runner up in the best and fairest in 2021, Leighton won the top gong in 2022, a breakout season which led to her entering the Power’s radar.
After being a relative mainstay for the Dusties since she started playing, Leighton fit in just two games for the Dusties in 2024 in between her Gippsland commitments, but one of those games was a premiership.
Having for so long been the young girl absorbing knowledge and developing, Leighton set the tone in the grand final with three goals where her improving skill level shone bright.
The extended exposure to stronger bodies at local level helped prepare her for a VFLW appearance this year against Footscray, where she was named among her team’s best players.
“Playing against older girls was a bit daunting but the ‘Dusties’ were always a supportive club – it was like having older sisters,” Leighton reflected.
“The girls were so much more mature and hit harder but I was able to learn from it which helped me when I went to Casey.
“Casey was a cool opportunity to take and gave me an insight into what the higher step looks like.”
It was the last month of the season where the interest in Leighton started coming as her heightened self-belief allowed her to show off her weapons following the disappointment of missing out on selection for Vic Country.
Collingwood and North Melbourne are the two clubs to have shown the most interest, with Leighton to watch the draft from Wilson’s Promontory on an annual family holiday.
“To hear my name called out would be amazing,” she said.
“I would be in shock.
“I sometimes doubt myself, but if I get selected obviously it would be for something so it would be really cool.
“I’m not at my full potential, I still have so much more to give, I love footy and have a will to get better.
“I’ll refine my skills and I think the strengths I have can become weapons I’m known for.”
