A versatile midfield/forward option, Ellie Gavalas has gone from strength to strength in her time on North Melbourne’s list, and her ability to learn from some of the best players in her position has seen her elevate her game year in, year out.
Awarded the Western Bulldogs’ VFLW Player of the Year in 2019, she was selected by the Kangaroos with pick No.10 in the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft, before going onto debut in round one of 2020. A near constant in the side in her time on the list, her ability to play across multiple lines coupled with her composure, intent and class make it almost impossible to leave her out of the side when fit. Gavalas spent more time than ever before in the middle of the ground in 2022, largely thanks to the hole left by Emma Kearney’s shift into the backline. Gavalas has become a consistently strong performer at AFLW level for North Melbourne, and her ability to hit the scoreboard at key times is a rare ability that, at times, kept the Kangaroos in games this season. While she often goes under the radar due to the star power that's possessed by some of her fellow midfielders, Gavalas' contribution to both the forward and midfield lines was a drastically understated asset to the team.
