Female Football’s Generational Talent: The Person behind Ash Centra
Seaspray is home to a modest 373 people, bathed in the sun of the seaside, and home to the
Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club.
Part of that club, Ash Centra.
She began surf live saving at a young age, an outlet, escape and a way of living that has been
a big part of her life growing up.
Ash and her twin brother, Luca, started as Junior Nippers when they were around six years
old, bringing her into the life of sport and recreation from a young age.
The Centra’s have always grown up in Gippsland country, residing in Sale and bouncing
between Seaspray from time to time.
It’s quiet, but it’s never taken for granted by Ash, who takes full advantage of her seaside
opportunities.
“I try to live at the beach! It’s a lot quieter and much nicer during the winter,” Centra laughed.
WATCH: Ash Centra's BEST HIGHLIGHTS of the season!
Ash’s year has become well documented for her football achievements, winning the Morrish
Medal to become the first player from the Gippsland Power to achieve the feature.
The phrase “natural footballer” gets thrown around in the draft scene, and Centra’s game
backs up those claims.
An elusive talent that breaks out of stoppages with class, takes on the game, and kicks a goal
or two here and there, she’s undeniably a generational talent.
Ash started her journey like many other girls her age, playing with the boys, which initially
left her having to make a change when she grew older.
“There was a rule put into place that girls weren't eligible to play with the boys from a certain
age. So, I stopped playing for about a year and just focused on my basketball.
“I was lucky enough to have a youth girls’ team at my local club at Sale City. I transitioned
into that and played there for about two years.”
“I played basketball at a high level back when I was juggling footy and basketball, but I
always knew that I love footy more.”
“I just decided to go with football because I've just grown up loving every second playing. I
haven't had any challenges, touch wood. I've been very fortunate and very lucky not to get
injured.”
Luca, Ash’s twin brother, was the footy head in the family growing up, which only sparked
his sister’s competitiveness in their childhood in the twin-rivalry.
“I always wanted to beat him at everything. I think that just helped me grow my love for
footy.”
“It grew my competitiveness and as I got older, I started thinking to myself, maybe I can go
further in this.”
GIPPSLAND VISION
Ash has always been a big family person, dedicated to spending her time off the field with the
people closest with her.
“My immediate family are probably the most important people in my life. They've helped me
all throughout my journey, and I'm sure they'll continue to do so for the rest of my sporting
career.”
Her biggest supporter can be heard from the sidelines of every Gippsland Power game,
abruptly shouting “Ashley! Ashley!”.
Harriet, who is a decade younger than Ash, has formed a unique bond with Ash, helping her
relieve the stress of high-stakes footy.
“She’s definitely been an outlook for me. Whenever I'm with her, we're always doing
something, and we're always occupying ourselves.”
“I'm never stressing about football or thinking about anything, really, just trying to enjoy the
moments I have with her before I do leave.”
“The relationship was a bit surprising at the start, and I didn't know how to wrap my head
around it, but as I got older, and as I matured a bit, I really did appreciate having her in my
life.”
Ash Centra playing for Vic Country | AFL Photos
She began her Talent League season with an insane 47 disposals and four goals against the
Murray Bushrangers, was quickly followed up by the media with posts from the AFLW
account, and various publications putting her under the spotlight.
Managing expectations is something Centra has battled with over her journey, and her start to
the season placed extra pressure on herself.
“I was not expecting my first game to be like that, and I don’t think anyone was to be
honest!”
“I was very hung up on what other people would think of me. It had me thinking I'd have to
perform like that each week to get recognition from others.”
“If I had a bad game, it would really ruin my day. It was challenging if I did have a bad game
to adjust the next week.”
This year, Ash got the opportunity to play in the AFLW Academy in their first game against
the Under-23 All Stars, which she saw as a big step up in her development.
“Being exposed to playing at such an elite level was a step up for me.”
“One challenge with that was having to adjust quickly. It was a bit hard at first, but then I
changed my mindset to being more motivated to taking my footy to the next level, and I knew
that was only going to happen if I played against girls that were better.”
AFLW ACADEMY VISION
While the competitiveness and talent of Ash comes through on the field, it’s a laid-back Ash
that everyone best knows her as.
“I know a big focus for me this year was to not be so footy focused and consumed by it all.”
“I tried to find a good balance with my footy life and be more flexible with my life outside of
footy through work and hanging out with friends and family.”
“I'm sure, if you ask someone about who I was, I think that they’d say I'm a pretty laid-back
person.”
The Academy experience was great growth for Centra in her personal side, who was able to
come out of her shell and find a new area of development in her game.
“Coming into these camps and games, I was very much of an introverted person, and I kept to
myself most of the time.”
“I definitely think I've opened up a lot more and these experiences really changed me as a
person on and off the field, which ultimately opened a whole new level of development in my
game.
“My game sense playing with girls that are at the same or an even better skill level has helped
to shape me into the person I am today.”
Centra took on a leadership role at the Gippsland Power this year, giving her a new take on
her performances.
“Having a leadership role was definitely different from what I'm used to, but it made me see
the game not only focusing on myself and how I perform, but it also made me more
motivated to understand everyone else's strengths and weaknesses, and help them improve,
and help them better their game.”
Ash’s name has never left the top pick circles in draft discussions, and she’s certainly become
a well-known figure for it.
With such talent presents the opportunity to inspire the younger generation of female
footballers, something that excites Ash.
“I'd hope to think that I may be a role model to some people. I think that's a pretty cool thing,
especially not being drafted yet is pretty cool.”
“Being recognized and being put on Baseline as one of the only girls that has ever been put
on is pretty cool and hopefully it encourages this next generation.”
“It’s something a lot different to what we've seen in the AFW nowadays, because I think
we've started from when we were young and we've been playing with the boys, so we've
developed skills like them.”
She’s done her draft chances no harm this year, and heads into the 2024 AFLW Draft as a
solid contender for the number one pick, alongside Queenslander, Havana Harris.
“I feel like it's been a massive build up for a while now. I haven't tried to think about it too
much or read too much into it.”
“There's a lot of nerves, lots of emotions, but it'll be good to get an indication a bit soon on
where I may end up, to ease the stress of it all.”
On top of those nerves, the biggest factor for Ash comes back to family.
Specifically, Harriet, who is still coming to terms that her big sister might be away from home
for a while.
“I think the biggest challenge I'm going to face about moving is just moving away from my
little sister.”
“I know we've mentioned to it to her a fair bit and she still is in denial and won't let me leave.
But I tend to think that if I'm doing something I love, it's all worth it.”
It’s been a season to remember for Centra, who averaged 28 disposals, four tackles, three
inside 50s, and one goal per game.
The journey is only beginning for Ash, who is set to become the 61st player from a Victorian
Country region to reach the AFLW.
