The GIANTS have tonight welcomed the best local talent from across New South Wales to the club through the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft.
After a busy trade period, the GIANTS didn’t enter the Draft until the third round but used six picks to complete their squad for the upcoming season.
The GIANTS wasted no time in using their first selection on GIANTS Academy product Ally Morphett.
Standing at 188cm, the 17-year-old is one of the tallest players in the draft and is regarded as a strong tap ruck with impressive skills.
Morphett has grown up in Wagga Wagga and developed her game playing for both the Murray Bushrangers and the Belconnen Magpies.
Her time in the Canberra competition allowed her to work on her game while opposed to the likes of GIANT Jess Allan throughout the season.
The second selection was Swans Academy product Jess Doyle, a mid-sized forward.
The year 12 student has taken her game to the next level since being part of the GIANTS’ VFL program and is a premiership teammate of Lisa Steane, Emily Goodsir and Libby Graham in the AFL Sydney competition.
At pick 56, the GIANTS selected Brodee Mowbray from the Southern Power.
Mowbray is a GIANTS Academy product who’s renowned for her speed, toughness and tackling.
Mid-sized forward Georgina Fowler was selected at pick 59 from the East Coast Eagles and is a former member of the Swans Academy.
Fowler missed the 2021 Allies series due to a back injury but is a powerful goal kicker when on the field.
The GIANTS used their next pick on Casidhe Simmons, a former heptathlete from the Gold Coast.
Simmons, 26, has been playing as a forward and winger for UNSW/ES Bulldogs in the local competition, having relocated to Sydney in 2020.
The GIANTS rounded out the night by re-drafting Erin Todd following her first season on the list.
Todd played two games for the GIANTS in her debut season with the former basketballer used mainly in defence.
AFLW Head Coach Alan McConnell said he is delighted with the talent secured at the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft.
“It’s always an exciting night and we can’t wait for our new players to meet the rest of the group and start preparing for the next season,” said McConnell.
“We’ve added some height, some pace and plenty of local talent that have come through the NSW pathways and are eager to get their opportunity at the top level.
“I feel that the players we’ve drafted complement our existing list well and on top of the players we brought in via the trade period, I think there’s plenty for GIANTS members to look forward to.”
Ally Morphett
Pick: 37
Position: Ruck
Club: Belconnen Magpies/Murray Bushrangers
Morphett is an athletic ruck with good skills and the ability to play forward at times. As a member of the NAB AFLW Academy as well as the GIANTS Academy, the 17-year-old has had the opportunity to hone her skills with the best coaching available and is seen as an exciting ruck prospect of the future.
Jess Doyle
Pick: 49
Position: Medium forward
Club: Manly-Warringah / Williamstown (VFL)
Doyle is a skillful left footer who’s come through the Swans Academy but will get her opportunity at the elite level with the GIANTS. The 17-year-old is a member of the NAB AFLW Academy and has impressed with her goal kicking in the local competition, playing as a forward and on the wing.
Brodee Mowbray
Pick: 55
Position: Midfield/small forward
Club: Southern Power
Mowbray, 19, is a tough and speedy midfielder and forward who has a reputation for being a strong tackler and being able to hunt the ball well around the contest. Mowbray is one of the best performing players in the AFL Sydney competition this year and was a member of the Allies squad.
Georgina Fowler
Pick: 59
Position: Medium forward
Club: East Coast Eagles
Fowler has previously been part of the Rugby 7s talent pathway and now plays at the East Coast Eagles. She’s powerful and is a good one-on-one player with an eye for the goals. She’s another player formerly part of the Swans Academy.
Casidhe Simmons
Pick: 60
Position: Medium forward/wing
Club: UNSW/ES Bulldogs
Simmons is a former heptathlete that has brought her athletic abilities across to AFL and has shone playing for UNSW-ES Bulldogs in the Sydney competition. She’s averaged two goals a game so far in the local competition and at age 26, is seen as a player that can develop quickly and get the most out of herself.
Erin Todd
Pick: 61
Position: Defender
Club: GWS GIANTS
Todd played the first two games of the 2021 season and returns to the list for her second season. Played mainly as a lockdown defender in her two appearances and adds further depth to the GIANTS’ roster.
