AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) would like to congratulate State Academy and NTFL players Heather Anderson, Sally Riley, Sophie Armitstead, Tayla Thorn, Abbey Holmes and Stevie-Lee Thompson on being drafted to the inaugural Adelaide Crows Women’s team.
The draftees join fellow Territorians, Angela Foley and Jasmine Anderson in the side to represent the joint-venture by AFLNT and the Adelaide Crows.
Anderson, a 22-year-old, quick and tenacious defender from Waratah was the 10th pick overall, an honour richly deserved, following on from her 2011 and 2010 selection into the All Australian Under 18 team. She will be best recognised for her bright pink playing helmet, something she wears to help her vision-impaired mum spot her on the field.
Tracy Village co-captain Sally Riley, who was a finalist in the 2016 AFL Football Woman of the Year (Honorary category) was identified for being a hard-working utility who prides herself on having clean hands in and around the contest.
Hard, inside, talented midfielder from the Wanderers, Armitstead, received great reward for her resilience shown over the past 11 months as she works to return from a torn meniscus injury. She was awarded the NTFL Women’s Rising Star Award for season 2014/15.
The 2016 NT Youth Girls joint-captain, Thorn is an upcoming talent from St Mary’s and represents the future of football in the Territory. She was a member of the NT Indigenous Youth Girls representative that won National Championships from 2013-15.
Holmes, a four-time premiership winner with Waratah and the four-time NTFL Leading Goalkicker will join the Club she has supported her entire life. Known for her football prowess, she has also represented South Australia and Australia at junior-level netball and SA and the NT at senior-level netball.
Rounding out the AFLNT draftees, Thompson is a recent convert to AFL football having joined the Wanderers in season 2015/16 and comes with a successful touch rugby background. Her pace and agility will be welcome assets to the Crows outfit.
Crows Women’s Senior Assistant, Andrew Hodges said he was proud of the effort shown by all the AFLNT State Academy players over the course of the year.
“It is a great honour to have so many Territorians selected for this side. These players have worked hard to earn their spot on the list.
“There are a number of talented footballers who missed out this time but they should be congratulated for driving the best out of their teammates,” he said.
With 18 players signed today, a further six already pre-signed, Hodges said there was still opportunity for those whose name had not been called out.
“With free agency and top-up squads still to come we are hopeful that most of the squad will remain involved."
Northern Territory Government Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss said today’s draft was a day for Territorians to remember.
“This is a historical moment in Northern Territory sports history and a huge step forward for women’s football on the national stage,” Ms Moss said.
“Over the past few years we have seen the extraordinary growth of women’s football, especially here in the Northern Territory, and I congratulate all of our players selected through the AFL Women’s Draft .
"The Northern Territory Government is proud to sponsor the Adelaide Crows in partnership with AFLNT and I can’t wait for the season to begin.”