2 hours ago
1
Ash Centra had no idea she’d gone viral.
The 19-year-old Collingwood rookie woke up the day after her debut game against Carlton at Ikon Park in August and redownloaded Instagram, an app she ritualistically deletes before games to block out external noise and clear her mind.
Collingwood’s Ash Centra Credit: Joe Armao
Her inbox was jam-packed with an infinite number of hashtags, reels and messages from family, friends and complete strangers.
Centra took a mark and booted her first major in the clash, but the most talked about moment was an innocuous move she made during a warm-up.
While jogging, the rookie threaded the ball behind her back and bounced it between her legs – an impressive manoeuvre that would have impressed on a basketball court, but bamboozled with a Sherrin.
“I saw that people were tagging me in all these videos of the bounce, I was just like, this is ridiculous. Like, this cannot be happening,” Centra told this masthead.
Within days, nearly everyone was attempting the bounce, including Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, Jack Crisp and Darcy Cameron.
So where did the move come from?
“I think it’s been something I’ve aimed to master for a while,” she said. “Now, I can’t really remember the exact moment when I started, but I think it’s just a fun little thing to do during training or even during the warm-up. I think I was just lucky to be getting filmed whilst doing it, because it’s definitely helped with all the hype.”
Like all No.1 draft picks, Centra entered the league with significant noise. A product of the AFLW’s first national draft class, Centra was a star midfielder for Gippsland Power and was named the Coates Talent League’s best and fairest in 2024.
After her debut game, Collingwood coach Sam Wright quipped Centra had already developed a cult following, noting the gigantic cheer when she finally came off the bench to play.
“Looking back and reflecting, it was definitely probably the biggest highlight of my night, hearing that roar,” she said.
Family and friends from Centra’s hometown Seaspray – a small coastal town in Gippsland – had made the three-hour trek to see her debut in Melbourne, including her twin brother Luca.
Centra credits her brother for her love of footy. The twins grew up playing junior footy together and their competitive natures meant they pushed each other to be the best. Luca was in the stands cheering during Centra’s debut, but accidentally missed a rather pivotal moment.
“Dad came up to me after the game and said my brother was in the bathroom while I was having a set shot on goal, and unfortunately, he missed it, but my mum filmed it so he got to see afterwards,” she laughed.
Since that debut game, Centra has continued to impress, collecting a Rising Star nomination for her role in Collingwood’s shock 26-point victory over the formerly undefeated Swans last week.
Centra picked up a Rising Star nomination for her efforts in the round five clash with Sydney. Credit: Joe Armao
Centra is full of praise for the team’s new captain Ruby Schleicher, describing the dual All-Australian as the perfect leader who strikes the balance between having fun and being professional.
“I say this in a humble way, there’s obviously a lot of attention on the first couple of picks in the draft, because you’re expected to go out there and obviously try and change the game in some aspects,” Centra said.
“Ruby’s been a massive mentor for me. She’s guided me, and she’s just super inclusive and super approachable when I need help, not only on the field but off the field as well.”
Last week Schleicher told this masthead rookies and top draft picks such as Centra were coming into AFLW with more pressure and noise than ever.
“So within the four walls and as a leader, it’s probably just my job to try and release that pressure and let them know that we don’t need them to go out have 30 disposals and change the game,” Schleicher said.
“We just want to see them grow as players and enjoy their football.”
Centra models her game off Richmond best-and-fairest winner Monique Conti, adhering to a silky and versatile style of footy. However, the physical nature of AFLW has been a surprising adjustment.
“I came in on the first day of pre-season, and Britt Bonnici tackled me, and I was so taken back and shocked [by] how hard they hit,” she said.
Loading
“But I think it really helps you understand where you’re at and it helps you build that level of physicality. And I also think the speed of the game is so much different to what I’m used to, but it’s been a great challenge.”
Centra is also adjusting to the recent move to Melbourne and is currently living with family friends. The 19-year-old was born metres from the beach and misses swimming in the ocean, joking Melbourne’s city beaches aren’t quite the same.
“It’s been a lot different to what I’m used to. I know country life and city life are polar opposites ... so it’s been an adjustment,” she said
“In Seaspray there’s only like 300 residents, so everything’s slow,” she continued. “Nothing’s really happening. We’ve got one coffee shop, and then you come to Melbourne and there’s like, 50 coffee shops metres from your house.”
Centra was looking forward to taking on Hawthorn at Victoria Park on Saturday in front of her family and friends, including her brother.
“He’s coming this weekend, so hopefully I’ll kick him a goal that he’ll see,” she joked.
