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Next year is shaping up to be a busy one for the AFLW\u2019s newest No.1 draft pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, who will compete at the highest level of footy while finishing her final year of school in 2024.<\/p>\n
The Western Jets key forward was met with cheers, whoops and whistles at Marvel Stadium\u2019s Victory Room when she was selected as the top pick for this year\u2019s draft by the Western Bulldogs on Monday evening.<\/p>\n
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Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner with Western Bulldogs star and new teammate Ellie Blackburn.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n Despite being sidelined for three months this season after suffering a wrist fracture, Weston-Turner impressed with her ability to run and create.<\/p>\n Ahead of the draft, she told AFL.com: \u201cI have my heart set on doing social work, outside of AFLW. I\u2019ve decided if I go interstate, I\u2019ll go straight into a course of social work, and if I stay in Melbourne, I\u2019ll complete year 12 and do social work the year after.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrapped into a frenzy of hugs, GWV Rebels skipper Jessica Rentsch cupped her hands over her face in excitement as she was named the No.2 pick for the West Coast Eagles.<\/p>\n Her dad, Alistair, spoke through tears as he said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a big build-up, [I\u2019m] very proud of her. It\u2019s a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n At pick No.3, GWS selected midfielder Kaitlyn Srhoj, who was so overcome with excitment she didn\u2019t realise AFL boss Andrew Dillon had not pronounced her last name correctly.<\/p>\n The West Australian chose footy over basketball and netball, and is ready to move across the state for what she described as \u201ca dream come true\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll forever miss basketball, but I\u2019m so glad that I chose footy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs, who had four of the first 11 of Monday night\u2019s picks, also selected Central District\u2019s Elaine Grigg at pick number six. Grigg said footy helped her build community and connection in Australia after moving from Kenya when she was eight years old.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just so grateful to be here,\u201d she said. Originally a basketballer, the cross-code talent moved to footy after being told she was \u201ctoo rough\u201d.<\/p>\n During the draft, the room fell silent when AFLW icon and newly announced West Coast coach Daisy Pearce spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople\u2019s lives will be changed tonight,\u201d Pearce said. \u201cThe networks you create when you become a part of the footy family, the awesome role models you have when you suddenly get yourself 29 new sisters.\u201d<\/p>\n Dillon addressed the draft prospects filling the room in his welcome speech: \u201cYou will be joining the biggest domestic women\u2019s competition in the country. It\u2019s a competition fresh of its best season yet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have over 600,000 women and girls playing our game nationally; there\u2019s only 550 spots to play at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
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