By Jonty Ralphsmith
Star News Group Talent League expert Jonty Ralphsmith runs his eye over the AFLW Draft prospects from Dandenong Stingrays and Gippsland Power.
Ash Centra
Club: Gippsland
Position: Midfielder/forward
Strengths: Composure, marking, kicking
Draft range: Top five
In brief: The Gippsland gun has long been touted as a potential number one selection, and firmed that status in 2024, improving her work rate and leadership while continuing to display her wide array of skills at every level.
Zali Gallagher
Club: Gippsland
Position: Defender, winger
Strengths: Speed, tenacity, leadership
Draft range: Late
In brief The Gippsland captain has speed to burn which she showcased for Gippsland, Vic Country and Casey, before an ACL injury heartbreakingly truncated her breakout year in mid-August.
Jas Sowden
Club: Gippsland
Position: Utility
Strengths: Pressure, stoppage craft, strength, versatility
Draft range: Second to third round
In brief: It was an up-and-down season for Sowden following a breakout 2023, but she still showed enough AFLW attributes for the Power to likely be selected as a small forward/midfielder. Port Adelaide is among the clubs to show the keenest interest.
Lilly Leighton
Club: Gippsland
Position: Midfielder/forward
Strengths: Athleticism, stoppage craft, work rate
In brief: Finished the season on a high with a strong last month before a fine showing at the AFLW State Combine testing. Her flawless attitude to being overlooked for Vic Country was another impressive feat, while she showed she wasn’t overawed by bigger bodies in a one-off appearance for Casey. Collingwood and North Melbourne are among the keenest clubs.
Zoe Besanko
Club: Dandenong
Position: Key forward/ruck
Strengths: Athleticism, height, versatility, x-factor
Draft range: Second to third round
In brief: Was thrown around positionally throughout 2024, but always found ways to showcase spurts of her raw talent, which suggested she has lots of untapped potential.
Elli Symonds
Club: Dandenong
Position: Forward/inside mid
Strengths: Power, athleticism, marking, kicking, versatility
Draft range: Top 25
In brief: Stress fractures in Symonds’ foot delayed her start to the season, but she didn’t look like she had missed a beat when she returned for seven late season games for Dandenong and a Vic Country appearance. After spending large periods of time in the ruck in 2023, she mixed in time in the midfield and up forward, where she is likely to start her career.
Jemma Reynolds
Club: Dandenong
Position: Midfielder/forward
Strengths: Clean hands, speed, poise
Draft range: Second round
In brief: Was a consistent cog for Dandenong at stoppage, enjoying the greater responsibility of increased midfield minutes. She rarely fumbled a ground ball and worked well with Kayla Dalgleish, in particular, en-route to winning best and fairest honours for the Stingrays.
Kayla Dalgleish
Club: Dandenong
Position: Forward
Strengths: Footy IQ, athleticism, leadership, competitiveness
Draft range: Second to third round
In brief: Was a leader of the Stingrays forward line and played a brilliant first game for Vic Country, with her strong development throughout 2024 and brilliant testing at the AFLW Draft Combine both enhancing her chances.
