IT WAS a relatively quiet evening for the GWS Giants, but they got to choose quality over quantity with their two selections. Thanks to it being a fully National Draft, the Giants got to pick a couple of young guns outside of NSW-ACT and add serious depth to its on-ball brigade.

>> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Recap

DRAFT HAUL

National Draft:

4. Sara Howley
22. Grace Martin

Geelong Falcons speedster Sara Howley adds serious pace both on the inside and outside, with her ability to cover ground phenomenal. Winning just about everything there was to win at junior level, it was no surprise to see the Vic Country MVP entrenched in the top 10. She was expected to go thereabouts, and the Giants opted for her up at pick four, enabling the Newton and Chilwell junior to head north.

Howley is a guaranteed Round 1 starter if fit, having already racked up ridiculous amounts of the ball, and the high-production player is a stat-stuffing machine. For those who enjoy finding rookies for their fantasy football sides, Howley is a must-have given her sheer consistency at finding the football, and what appears to be a starting spot in the Giants midfield.

Howley’s fellow draftee Grace Martin is another player who can find the football herself, and has been building nicely throughout the year. A huge off-season heading into her top-age year, Martin improved her speed and ability to go contest-to-contest, and it paid off. Though she started her career as a forward-midfielder, Martin spent more time in defence in 2024, earning All-Australian honours in the role.

She will push for an early debut in the season, having played three years for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFLW. Given her versatility, she can fill out a variety of roles for Cam Bernasconi‘s side, and her balance between aerial and groundlevel ball-winning strands out, as does her footy IQ and smarts on the footy field.