CARLTON has welcomed key tall Serena Gibbs to Ikon Park after being selected with pick No.44 in the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Draft.

The Eastern Ranges graduate was prominent up forward in the NAB League this season, finishing with 11 goals for the campaign while pinch-hitting in the ruck.

The leading goalkicker and top three in the best and fairest for Eastern, Gibbs progressed to play six games for Hawthorn’s VFLW team — one game summed up her potential perfectly.

While she only kicked two goals against the Mugars in Round 13, Gibbs was simply dominant against Melbourne Uni’s defence full of AFLW talent. Her aerial prowess was a key feature, with only inaccuracy curtailing a standout performance.

A talented netballer in the Victoria Netball League, Gibbs had never played football competitively before the 2019 NAB League season.

“For someone so raw when it comes to experience, Serena can take the game by the scruff of the neck and can be a really strong presence in the forward half,” GM of Women’s Football Ash Brown said.

“Being so new to the game, she’s got such a big scope for improvement. She’s got great hands, knows how to use her space and she consistently wants to learn.

“We think we’ve really bolstered our forward and ruck options: she’s a great character as well and someone I think our fans will really enjoy watching develop.”

Position: Forward/ruck

Height: 176cm

Recruited from: Eastern Ranges/Hawthorn VFLW