CURRENT AFL Women’s juggernaut North Melbourne only entered the draft at Pick 37 after choosing to trade into next year’s cohort which will be a stronger and deeper pool. The Roos still got the player they were after at Pick 37, and then picked up a couple of surprise packets to round out the list looking to go for a three-peat next season.

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DRAFT HAUL

Pick 37. Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner
Pick 49. Shauna McElligott
Pick 53. Sarah Wall

North Melbourne was determined to get former number one draft pick Weston-Turner one way or another, and after a trade with the Western Bulldogs fell through, the Roos ended up just picking the tall forward with the selection – 37 – that they had offered to the Dogs in the first place. Weston-Turner is unlikely to be a straight up inclusion in 2026, but as Kate Shierlaw and Emma King head towards retirement, the athletic tall will slot into that region.

With Pick 49, the Roos pulled out a complete surprise from a top-age perspective, selecting Calder Cannons’ Best and Fairest winner McElligott. A talented ball user with smart decision-making skills and an ability to play above her height, she can rotate between half-forward or the midfield, and has a lot of upside in her game. Natural talent with some X-factor, expect her to be one who can improve rapidly in the Roos’ program.

Completing North Melbourne’s draft haul was Wall, the sister of current listed Roo, Vicki. While not having the Australian rules experience, Wall is likely to fit in just as well, with a huge aggressive streak that runs in the family alongside her explosive speed and power. She is earmarked for a potential lockdown role in the back 50 as she develops more with the understanding of the code.

GRADE: B

North Melbourne did not have any top-end picks, but got what they wanted. While there might be a few question marks across the board on the selections, the Roos know they have a readymade talent in Weston-Turner, as well as some upside through McElligott and Wall, with no shortage of Irish success stories at the club.