Ash Centra
| Ash Centra | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Ashley Centra | ||
| Nickname | Cench | ||
| Born |
2 June 2006 Seaspray, Victoria, Australia | ||
| Original team | Gippsland Power (Coates Talent League) | ||
| Draft | No. 1, 2024 AFL Women's draft | ||
| Debut | Round 1, 2025, Collingwood vs. Carlton, at Princes Park | ||
| Height | 177 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position | Midfielder / Half-back | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2025– | Collingwood | 8 (6) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of the 2025 season. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Source: AustralianFootball.com | |||
Ash Centra (born 2 June 2006) is an Australian rules football player who plays for the Collingwood Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW) competition. She was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 AFL Women's draft, becoming one of the most notable top picks in recent AFLW history.
Early life and junior football
Ash Centra was born in Seaspray, a coastal town in Victoria. As a teenager, she juggled playing both football and basketball, with Monique Conti being her inspiration.[1] She played junior football with Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League and was selected for Vic Country at the 2024 AFL Under‑18 Championships.[2]
Centra averaged 27.7 disposals and kicked 18 goals over 13 games in the 2024 season.[2] She earned All-Australian honours at the championships and recorded a standout 47-disposal, 4-goal game in Round 2.[3]
AFLW career
Centra was selected by Collingwood Football Club with the first overall pick in the 2024 national draft. The draft was the first fully national draft in AFLW history.[4] In December 2024, Collingwood extended Centra’s contract until the end of the 2027 season, before she had played an official AFLW game.[5]
Playing style
Centra is a versatile player who primarily plays as a midfielder but is also capable of contributing across half-back. She is known for her decision-making and ability to remain composed under pressure.[1][6]
Statistics
- Statistics are correct to the end of the 2025 season.[7]
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2025 | Collingwood | 16 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 61 | 51 | 112 | 26 | 23 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 7.6 | 6.4 | 14.0 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 4 |
| Career | 8 | 6 | 5 | 61 | 51 | 112 | 26 | 23 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 7.6 | 6.4 | 14.0 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 4 | ||
Personal life
Centra grew up in a sporting family with a twin brother and younger sister. She was involved in surf lifesaving and beach activities in her hometown of Seaspray. Off the field, she often uses music as a way to prepare for games.[1][8]
References
- ^ a b c "All eyes on Ash Centra: Ball magnet on setting high standards, family & No. 1 talk". AFL.com.au. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Ash Centra". Rookie Me Central. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Ash Centra's 47-disposal performance elevates draft hype". SEN. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Ash Centra taken as number one pick in first AFLW national draft". ABC News. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Collingwood Magpie Ash Centra gets new deal before debut". AFL.com.au. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Collingwood welcomes Ash Centra as First Draft pick". collingwoodfc.com.au. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Ashley Centra - Player Stats By Season". Australian Football. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (16 April 2024). "In her wildest dreams: Vic Country star has No.1 in sight after monster game". .afl.com.au/aflw. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
External links
- Ash Centra's profile on the official website of the Collingwood Football Club
- Ash Centra at AustralianFootball.com
- Ash Centra Profile – Rookie Me Central