THERE was a clear focus on strength and power both around the ball and across the field for St Kilda at Monday night’s AFLW Draft. All five of the Saints’ selections boast physicality and strength, while also covering each of the three lines.

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DRAFT HAUL

Pick 26. Jade McLay
Pick 31. Chelsea Sutton
Pick 42. Abby Hobson
Pick 60. Maya Louvel-Finn
Pick 61. Carys D’Addario

>> CLICK each player’s names for full profiles & highlights

St Kilda clearly wanted to add bigger bodies to the mix at the AFLW Draft, and that started with National Academy member McLay who missed most of 2025 with a shoulder injury, but has shown over the last few seasons she can play on any one of the lines. At 177cm, McLay competes with talls and smalls, has a booming right boot and is strong in the air, which will give coach Nick Dal Santo some flexibility in where he can play her.

A pair of Gippsland Power players came next, with Sutton at 31 and Hobson at 42. Sutton spent time both forward and through the midfield, with an ability to evade opponents from congestion with great power, and boasting neat skills and clean hands. Hobson – who was touted as a draft bolter leading up to the night, but did end up sliding to the third round – has some of the best hands in the draft crop for her size.

Though the Saints last two picks came very late, they made the most of them with a couple of West Australian stars and All-Australians. Louvel-Finn is a well-rounded defender who lands at Moorabbin off the back of a terrific season, and has a nice balance of athleticism and skills. She is equally strong and fast, while capable of locking down on opponents or also driving the ball from defence.

D’Addario won Western Australia’s MVP and was a shock slider, touted as high as the first round, but somehow worked her way back to the last couple of selections. It won’t matter now as she made it on a list with a point to prove, and the Swan Districts ball-winner meets a perfect need for the Saints. They struggled around the centre clearances, and she is the best reader of the play off the ruck taps, so expect an immediate improvement in that area when given a chance.

GRADE: A+

A really underrated draft haul that does not seem to be getting the same plaudits that others might be. Considering the Saints only entered the AFLW Draft at Pick 26 and two of their selections were from Pick 60, the talent they have brought in, is fantastic. For a high-volume and high-value crop, it was the pick of the bunch, and a group that can really turn St Kilda into a genuine top four side.