AFTER trading out its first round selection on AFLW Trade Deadline Day, St Kilda headed into the AFLW Draft with the three selections, and just one inside the Top 50. They secured an athletic tall out of the Dandenong Stingrays, as well as an ultimate utility, and and ex-Gold Coast Suns top 20 pick.

>> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Recap

DRAFT HAUL

National Draft:

32. Zoe Besanko
54. Kyla Forbes
57. Alana Gee

St Kilda seemed to target versatility through the draft, and the Saints certainly got that with their first two selections. With Pick 32, the red, white and black scooped up Dandenong Stingrays’ prospect Zoe Besanko, who has played a variety of roles over the last couple of seasons. Best known as a ruck/forward, Besanko has also spent time on-ball and even had a game in defence playing on fellow draftee Georgie Brisbane. Besanko has outstanding athleticism and is good at ground level for her size.

With the next pick, the Saints added further versatility by selecting Calder Cannons’ Kyla Forbes. Having cut her teeth as a forward-cum-midfielder, Forbes spent more time in defence – full-time back there for Vic Metro – and became the designated kickout player for the ‘Big V’. She has a powerful left boot, is strong and has the capacity to play on all three lines which will be helpful for Nick Dal Santo‘s side.

Wrapping up their draft haul a few picks later, St Kilda opted to hand former pick 19 Alana Gee a second chance at AFLW level. The ex-Sun was delisted having had her fair share of injury issues over the last few years since being taken in the 2022 AFLW Draft, but has enormous talent. If she can remain fit and firing, she could be fantastic value that late in the draft, and is still only 20 years-old.

Overall, St Kilda picked up an athletic tall utility, strong general utility and explosive midfielder to add further depth to its squad. Though the Saints missed out on finals , Gee at the very least will be readymade to come into the best 21 if good to go, while Besanko and Forbes will have claims to crack in if ready throughout the season.