Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner’s family have been in the Western Bulldogs cheer squad for 30 years, so the roar inside Marvel Stadium when the athletic forward was selected as the first pick in the AFLW draft by the Dogs was well-rehearsed.
But Monday night’s proceedings had more of a national character than previous AFLW drafts, despite the local connections at the very top of the order.
Each of the players selected in the top four chose to enter the national pool – established for the first time this year – meaning they were open to be picked by a club based anywhere in Australia. Only three of the first ten picks chose the Victorian pool.
Weston-Turner said it would have been “cool and amazing” to join any club across the country because she was attracted to the idea of a “fresh start”. But she said she was grateful for where she landed.
“There’s pros and cons to everything in life,” the 18-year-old said. “Okay, I didn’t go interstate but I got picked up by a club that I’ve supported my whole life and this means so much to me and so much to my family.”
The Western Jets player, who overcame wrist and leg injuries to impress scouts this year, has another year of school but said she intended to balance class and playing for her beloved club.
“Growing up, my my whole family were mad Dogs supporters. My nan and my great auntie, who is sadly no longer with us anymore, were in the cheer squad for 30-odd years helping to make the banners, and obviously I’ve been a few times to Doggies home games. It just it feels unreal.”
Others are crossing borders, like Victorian defender Jessica Rentsch, who was selected second by the West Coast Eagles. Her move to Perth will be made easier by her mother’s family living in WA, but she said leaving home was expected.
“I live three hours away from Melbourne so I had to move either way,” she said. “I’m pretty bubbly so I’ll get along with really anyone.”
Pick number three, West Australian midfielder Kaitlyn Srhoj, was selected by the GWS Giants. She said she expected to find the move difficult at times, and that she had never actually been to Sydney, but the change would be better in the long run.
“I need to be uncomfortable to be comfortable,” she said. “And I think for me, I’m not going to develop as well at home where I know everyone and nothing was different.”
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For most in the AFLW, the competition remains semi-professional, with fringe players earning just $40,000 in 2023. The draft rules don’t force players to move interstate for a season that is barely four months long.
But those within the game expect change. Last month, Brisbane Lions women’s academy coach and former captain Emma Zielke said she expected the geographic restrictions will make way in a few years.
On Monday night, Giants coach Cam Bernasconi said he believed a fully national draft might come in even sooner. “Whether that’s next year or the year after, but you can see that that’s where it’s going, which will essentially equalise out the competition.”
Julia Chiera, head of AFLW for the AFL Players Association, said her organisation would “continue to work with the AFL to review the current system to ensure it’s fit-for-purpose going forward”.
She said the state-based draft gives players “an element of choice when balancing their lives as footballers with their demands outside of the sport”.