Gippsland’s Power outstanding draft season has continued with two key play makers picked up in Monday night’s 2024 AFL Womens’ National Draft, including East Gippsland ball magnet Jasmine Sowden and Sale superstar Ash Centra.
Sowden, a courageous onballer, who for the past two seasons has played with the Warragul Industrials in the Female Football Gippsland youth girls competition when not playing for Gippsland Power at Coates League level, was selected at pick 57 by the Port Adelaide Football Club.
As disappointed as Sowden may be to have to uproot her life and make the transition to life in Adelaide, she is delighted to go to the club that she has supported her whole life.
The more high profile Centra was selected at pick number one and will play for Collingwood next season.
The Sale City defender/midfield has been one of the standout players in the Coates League competition over the past two seasons, whose selection at pick one surprised no one.
Both girls represented Victorian Country at this year’s national carnival.
The girls’ selection caps off a big year for the Gippsland Power program, which also saw five young men also drafted to AFL programs.
Tom Hanily went to Sydney in the mid-season draft, while the recent AFL draft saw Alix Tauru picked up by St Kilda at pick 10 and the highly decorated Xavier Lindsay go to Melbourne with pick 11. Asher Eastham (Gold Coast Suns) and Ricky Mentha (Melbourne) were part of the rookie draft.
In line with their commitment to excellence, Gippsland Power has again strengthened its coaching and support staff for the 2025 season.
Led by Scott McDougal, regional talent lead and Tessa Biney, administration and operation coordinator, the Power also has dedicated wellbeing coordinators Mel Bradley (girls) and David Hobbs (boys), as well as strength and conditioning gurus Luke Marriot (boys) and Charlie Stern (girls) onboard for 2025.
The boys program head coach is Rhett McLennan who is assisted by line coaches Hayden Burgiel, Allan Chandler and Craig McCaughan.
The girls head coach is Nathan Boyd with line coaches Ben Cunningham, Dean Hendrikse and Alisha Molesworth.
