PROFILE: Baia Pughheight: 169cm
D.O.B: 28-03-2007
Position: Forward-Midfielder
Club: Gippsland Power
Leagues: AFLW U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Girls
SNAPSHOT: “An outstanding athlete who had a breakout 2025 season rising to play for Gippsland Power and Vic Country.”
Baia Pugh is a player who would not have been on any draft boards entering the 2025 season, but by the end of it, had earned a State Draft Combine invite off the back of a remarkable first year at the Power. A multi-sport athlete, Pugh has some elite athletic traits, and though still building fundamentals in her game, came along in leaps and bounds this season.
Pugh hails from the Wonthaggi Power, having taken up football to go with her basketball and netball, back in 2021. She ran out for the Under 14s Power that year, which included nine matches and one goal. However, unlike most of her peers, she stopped after the one season. Focusing on her athletics to pair with her netball and basketball, Pugh is a long distance runner.
She would come back to football over the off-season though, trialling with Gippsland Power and immediately catching the eye due to her elite athletic traits. Boasting a balance of speed, endurance and agility, Pugh is well-rounded in that front and earned a spot on the list.
Few would have predicted her performances throughout 2025 would have been so prolific as to have earned a place with Vic Country, but Pugh did just that, further pushing herself up draft boards. Unfortunately a broken collarbone late in the second ruled Pugh out of the season finish, but she played 11 games and averaged 14.2 disposals, 2.1 marks, 6.6 tackles, 2.6 clearances and 2.6 inside 50s while booting eight goals for Gippsland Power.
At the national level, Pugh held her own across three games, picking up 11.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 5.7 tackles and 2.0 inside 50s in that pressure forward role. She has the ability to roll inside as well as she did for the Power, and though she has not played since July 20, was able to complete the physical testing at the State Draft Combine where she recorded the fasted agility score of 8.273 seconds.
STRENGTHS:
+ Endurance
+ Agility
+ Speed
+ Decision making
+ Versatility
+ Defensive pressure
+ Rate-of-development
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Skills
- Production
- Overhead marking
Pugh's athletic gifts as already stated are what underpins her game. She can run all day with her endurance base, breakaway from opponents with nice speed, and has elite agility which was evident from her State Combine testing data. Deployed as a half-forward and then rotating through the midfield, Pugh has found a nice niche from which to play.
Whether or not she could fill a spot on-ball was never a fitness question, but rather a footballing nous one. She seemed to hold her own and not look out of place around the stoppages, and though Pugh is still raw in terms of her football IQ, she has worked hard on her decision making. Pugh cited it as a key improvement of hers over the last 12 months, and it has shown with some of her plays going inside 50.
With ball in hand, Pugh's skills still need to sharpen up, which is to be expected compared to the rest of her peers who have been in the code far longer. Both her kicking and handballing efficiency are noted as her main focuses going forward, but again have noticeably improved since the start of the season.
While not a high production player, Pugh has made her impact felt through her athletic gifts and decision making, but also what she does without the ball. Her defensive pressure - through both tackles and team-first actions - aid in making those around her walk taller. She averaged 6.6 tackles compared to 14.2 disposals, so is not having any problem applying pressure. On more than a few occasions, Pugh's closing speed to mow down opponents was terrific and she certainly makes others sweat when chasing them or even being in the general vicinity.
The other aspect which Pugh can improve is her overhead marking. As a newcomer to the game, she tends to take the ball on the chest a lot which is a common thing. If she can begin to feel confident by sticking the dukes up, then she will save potential a lot of spoiled marking attempts. She still has a fair bit to work on from that footballing perspective, including maximising her ball-winning capabilities by getting to the right spots and her skills, but her upside is evident.
The rate-of-development which Pugh has already taken is impressive, and with her athletic ability and defensive mindset, she can play on any line across the ground. Her form earned her a well-deserved State Draft Combine invite to indicate there is interest in the Gippsland teenager.
DRAFT RANGE: Late
SUMMARY:Baia Pugh’s elite athletic traits hold her in good stead and automatically rise her up draft boards. Clubs will back themselves in to tidy up the footballing elements, and with Pugh’s rate-of-development she has shown herself to be an eager learner. Expect her to be in consideration from the middle of the draft onwards and if not picked up, could benefit from another year at the level to further hone her skills.
AFLW U18 Championships
Season Team K HB D M CP UP T HO CLR I50 R50 GL GM K H D M HO T G DC
2025 Vic Country Girls 23 11 34 7 16 17 17 0 3 6 1 0 3 7.7 3.7 11.3 2.3 0.0 5.7 0.0 45
Total - 23 11 34 7 16 17 17 0 3 6 1 0 3 7.7 3.7 11.3 2.3 0.0 5.7 0.0 45
Coates Talent League Girls
Season Team K HB D M CP UP T HO CLR I50 R50 GL GM K H D M HO T G DC
2025 Gippsland Power 95 61 156 23 101 63 73 0 29 29 12 8 11 8.6 5.5 14.2 2.1 0.0 6.6 0.7 62
Total - 95 61 156 23 101 63 73 0 29 29 12 8 11 8.6 5.5 14.2 2.1 0.0 6.6 0.7 62
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/baia-pugh/
