A MINIMAL but skilful duo underpinned Carlton’s AFLW Draft crop as the Blues picked up two of the best kicks in the cohort. After taking a dual SANFLW premiership player with the Blues’ first selection late in the first round, Carlton went on to snatch up arguably the steal of the draft at Pick 34.

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DRAFT HAUL

Pick 24. Lily Baxter
Pick 34. Tayla McMillan

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

Carlton might have only come away with the minimum two selections in the AFLW Draft, but certainly did not waste them, with two players who love to run, and also use the ball exceptionally well. One is a more outside prospect who can play across all three lines, while the other is more midfield-dominant but did spend some time up forward, and is a competitive beast.

Baxter was a kick away from being a three-time premiership player at South Adelaide, winning two flags and being a crucial cog in the Panthers’ lineup. She started as a clutch forward, then progressed onto a wing, and even spent time as a half-back with South Australia. Her right boot and decision making stands out, while she can also compete in the air and has a high running capacity.

There were few bigger steals in the AFLW Draft than McMillan, who was touted as a potential top 10 pick and had interest from the likes of Essendon, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs. But once she escaped those sides, the Eastern Ranges jet slid all the way to the mid second round. It could be a decision that 14 other clubs come to rue, with McMillan boasting elite smarts, skills and burst from the stoppage.

GRADE: A

Carlton did only make the two selections, but the Blues nailed both, and have added some serious skills and decision making with ball in hand to their list. Both players are more than capable of starting Round 1 if fit, and puts extra pressure on the current list to improve further from their preliminary final exit.