Port Adelaide grabs handful of young guns in AFLW draft

PORT ADELAIDE has bolstered its midfield and forward line with some of the nation’s best young talent at Monday night’s Telstra AFLW draft.

In the first ever national AFLW draft, the club secured Western Australian midfielder Lily Paterson with its first of five selections at pick 19.

Having picked up football late after coming from playing soccer and netball, Paterson became a damaging midfielder for Swan Districts in the WAFL Women’s competition in 2024, averaging 23.3 disposals, 3.7 marks, 4.1 tackles and 2.5 inside 50s per game. She also added six goals in her 15 games.

Her season included four games where she recorded more than 30 disposals including two where she had 37 disposals.

Port Adelaide then claimed South Australian duo Jasmine Evans and Jemma Whitington-Charity with picks 33 and 40 respectively with each able to play both midfield and forward.

Evans was part of the Central District 2023 Premiership team and booted 15 goals in 14 games for the Dogs in 2024, as well as averaging 10 disposals and three marks.

Renowned for her elite foot skills and vision, the 2024 AFLW Academy member has real x-factor with the way she can pick off a pass and hit the scoreboard if given the chance.

Whitington-Charity is known to the club, having come through its Next Generation Academy.

The 18-year-old was an Under 18 All-Australian in 2023 and can already boast three seasons of SANFLW football. She is highly regarded for her football IQ and her class with the ball.

With pick 48 Port Adelaide secured Queensland tall Chloe Gaunt.

The athletic key forward impressed playing with community club Coorparoo and with the Brisbane Lions Academy before placing inside the top ten in both the standing and running vertical leap tests at the National Draft Combine.

Quick off the mark, fast and mobile, Gaunt can also play in the ruck.

Port Adelaide’s final selection was Jasmine Sowden with pick 52. It was an ideal birthday present for the Gippsland Power product, who a day before her 18th birthday landed at the club she grew up supporting.

A talented forward who can play in the midfield, Sowden averaged 20.7 disposals, 3.8 marks and six tackles as well as a goal per game in the Coates Talent League in 2024.

List Manager Naomi Maidment was thrilled with the club’s selections.

“We set out before the draft to bring some more talent and versatility into our midfield and forward line, and we certainly think we achieved that,” said Maidment.

“We also had a need for a tall forward who could play in the ruck after our recent list changes.

“It was a very strong draft pool, and the first time we’ve had a national draft, so we are extremely happy with the quality of player and person we have been able to pick up.”

Port Adelaide’s 2024 Telstra AFLW Draftees

Pick 19 - Lily Paterson

State: Western Australia
State League Club: Swan Districts
Community Club: Caversham JFC
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 2 May 2006
Height: 173cm

Pick 33 - Jasmine Evans

State: South Australia
State League Club: Central District
Community Club: Salisbury
Position: Mid-Forward
Date of Birth: 5 February 2006
Height: 166cm

Pick 40 - Jemma Whitington-Charity

State: South Australia
State League Club: North Adelaide
Community Club: Henley Sharks
Position: Mid-Forward
Date of Birth: 6 June 2006
Height: 170cm

Pick 48 - Chloe Gaunt
State: Queensland
State League Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Community Club: Coorparoo
Position: Forward/ruck
Date of Birth: 22 July 2006
Height: 182cm

Pick 52 - Jasmine Sowden
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Warragul Industrials
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Date of Birth: 17 December 2006
Height: 165cm