Sport Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Ash Centra is set to become the first Gippsland Power product to be taken at pick No.
1 in Monday’s AFLW draft and just the second in club history behind Brendon Goddard. It comes as some trepidation remains about the first AFLW national draft given some prospects are understood to have indicated a preference to remain in their home state. The AFL announced in June that the draft will transition to a fully national model for the first time this year after almost 70 per cent of nominees opted into a national pool in 2023.
A 20 per cent increase in remuneration for draftees as per the new AFLW Collective Bargaining Agreement also justified the decision. But this masthead is aware of several players, including top-end talent, who have expressed a desire to either remain in their home state or avoid certain states. Several sources have indicated that some players have suggested, whether directly in interviews or indirectly through references, their draft preferences.
Ash Centra is the hot favourite to be picked up by Collingwood in the draft on Monday. Picture: Ian Currie It leaves clubs in a precarious decision to either take on board that feedback or back in their culture and program. The ‘go-home’ factor is not a new phenomenon and there have been several instances of AFL players who have wanted to remain in their home state.
But it’s generally frowned upon to communicate tha.
