Harper Sercombe
Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner is staying in the west with the Western Bulldogs selecting the Western Jets’ gun with pick one of Monday’s AFLW draft.
The 18-year-old known for her explosive speed, impressive aerial abilities and booming right boot said she didn’t expect to find herself in the position she is in.
While injuries riddled the athletic forward-midfielders’ Coates Talent League season, her late season Vic Metro return reminded many of her raw talent and potential.
The Spotswood player suffered a broken wrist after just two games of the Talent League season which saw her miss the next 12 weeks of footy.
“It feels unreal, I don’t even know what to say. It’s surreal,” she said on the draft’s broadcast.
“I’m just so thankful and fortunate to be in the position I’m in. I wouldn’t have thought that I’d be in this position knowing that I had a broken wrist and missed so much footy.
“I wouldn’t have thought that I’d be in this position, no way. I think it’s just a credit to myself and my resilience really, I am proud of myself.
“I wouldn’t have thought [I would go] pick one but I’m just so glad it’s the Doggies, the team I have barracked for my whole life and I know that there’s someone looking down on me tonight, my grandfather, he’d be so happy.”
She said this feat would have not been possible without the support from her family, her “army.”
“I’ve got some of my family here and it really does go to show how many people I’ve got behind me,” she said.
“I’ve got a whole army of people supporting me and my phone’s about to blow up with all the messages and stuff, but just a massive thank you to everyone really.
“They’ve been there for me my whole life and they’ve put so much effort in for me, both my mum and my dad and my step dad.
“It just means the world to me, it really does, they put so much effort in for me and I wouldn’t be the person I am or the footballer I am without them.”
Weston-Turner was one of three Western Jets selected on Monday night, with Kiera Whiley and Tamara Henry also hitting the big-time.
Whiley was selected not long after Weston-Turner with the midfielder being taken by St Kilda with pick 10.
Whiley is one of the most consistent and dependable on-ballers of the draft class, who has all the right attributes to evolve into an inspiring leader in the seasons to come.
Able to utilise both sides of her body and make sound decisions under pressure, the 18-year-old pieced together a prominent campaign for the Jets, primarily as an inside midfielder.
Henry was the Adelaide Crows’ second selection of the night at pick 26. She is a powerful forward, who is strong overhead with clean hands.
She can find targets inside 50 or hit the scoreboard herself and also has the ability to play through the midfield.
Henry performed strongly at the draft combine, recording the second-best vertical jump and recorded an impressive 3.29 20 metre sprint.
Keilor local and Calder Cannon Sarah Grunden was also selected on Monday night.
Grunden landed at the Sydney Swans with pick 16.
The medium forward impressed in her debut season in the Coates Talent League, after moving across from the Western Jets.
Following a dominant start to the year, Grunden’s standout performance came in Round 11 which saw her finish with 17 disposals, five marks, four tackles and two goals.
Grunden’s form across the season earned her selection with Vic Metro playing in the AFLW 2023 Under 18 Girls Championships, before going on to play in the Under 23 All-Stars side.
Senior AFLW coach Scott Gowans said Grunden would be a fantastic addition to the Swans attack.
“Sarah is a half-forward that can use both sides of her body which was really important for us,” said Gowans.
“I could see her developing and maybe move into the midfield, but she is definitely a half forward that is exciting. One of my big things is score assists and score involvements, and she definitely does a lot of that.”
“We just liked the way she uses the ball, she has a beautiful kick and makes great decisions forward of the centre, and that’s an area we feel we want to double down in and be really good at.”
