GWS Giants looked outside the state of New South Wales to select their two players in the 2023 AFL Women’s Draft, instead opting for a West Australian and a Victorian. With Pick 3, the Giants locked away Peel Thunder midfielder Kaitlyn Srhoj, before only utilising one more selection at Pick 40 to add strong inside midfielder Indigo Linde. The Giants passed on their final selection to open the door for an additional free agent over the coming months.
Kaitlyn Srhoj (Peel Thunder / Western Australia)
10/07/2005 | 175cm | Midfielder
A strong marking midfielder who does her best work on the wing, but has also played inside and at half-back, Srhoj covers the ground well for a midfielder. She runs both ways, can compete in the air or on the deck, with her hands very clean and strong in traffic. When given time and space she can do a lot of damage, and she was best on ground in the Under 17 Futures game last year, whilst stepping up to impress for the AFL Academy against the Under 23 All-Stars this season. Opting to move across the country, when Srhoj finds confidence on the football field, she is one of the highest upside players.
Indigo Linde (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)
21/03/2005 | 171cm | Midfielder
The inside midfielder was rewarded for effort and one of the feel-good stories of the draft. Though not receiving an AFLW Draft Combine invite despite an impressive year, Linde was rock solid for the Ranges, averaging 16.6 disposals and 2.7 tackles per game, as well as more than three inside 50s throughout the Talent League season. Linde is no stranger to getting her hands dirty around the clearances and is a perfect player to assist the likes of Alyce Parker, with a powerful kick and a natural inside game with a competitive and contested appetite for the football.
SUMMARY
Though the Giants had a relatively quiet draft, they managed to pick up a couple of taller midfielders to add depth to the area, with one likely to lean outside, and the other to lean inside. They will push the current group and force some selection headaches for the coaches.
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