Najwa Allen Explained

Najwa Allen
Fullname:Najwa Allen
Birth Date:25 June 1994
Originalteam:Norwood (SANFLW) / Eastlake (NEAFLW)
Draftpick:No. 37, 2019 national draft
Debutdate:Round 1, 2020
Debutstadium:Hickey Park
Height:177 cm
Position:Defender
Guernsey:8
Years1:2020–
Games Goals1:45 (0)
Statsend:2024
Careerhighlights:

Najwa Allen (born 25 June 1994) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for Adelaide in the AFL Women's (AFLW).[1] [2]

Junior career

Hailing from Canberra, Australia, Allen represented Eastlake Demons in the NEAFL before making the move to South Australia to play in the highly regarded SANFL Women's league. After a stand out 2019 season playing for in the SANFLW competition, Allen was awarded the leagues best and fairest.[1] From there, she was on the radar of many AFLW clubs, eventually being taken by the Adelaide Crows with Pick 37 in the 2019 draft.[2]

AFL Women's career

Making her debut in Round 1, 2020, Allen has become a reliable defender for the Crows, running off half back. One of her strengths is the ability to kick with both feet and change the angles to create space for her side. Playing every game in 2021, Allen was part of the Crows side which made the 2021 Grand Final. She became a premiership player the following season when Adelaide defeated in the 2022 season 6 Grand Final.[3]

In 2024 AFL Women's season, Allen was reduced to only one game as she battled with consistently troubling hamstring issues. Searching for a fresh start, she requested a trade to .[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Najwa Allen AFL. 28 October 2024. afc.com.au.
  2. Web site: AFLW: Pick No. 37 - Najwa Allen. Telstra Media. Adelaide. 22 October 2019.
  3. Web site: 2022 S6 AFLW Premiership. crowshistory.afc.com.au. 28 October 2024.
  4. Web site: Premiership Crows defender requests trade to Hawks. 3 December 2024. Riley. Beveridge. afl.com.au.