Gab Pound

Pound was raised in Albury, New South Wales.^[2] She was introduced to the sport through Auskick in Albury and continued playing the sport at school.^[2] Pound attended Albury High School.^[3] When she heard about the AFLW, she sought to play in the AFLW and drove two hours to Wagga Wagga to play in the women's Under 17s. To pursue her dream she later moved to Melbourne to join the Melbourne University (VFL Women's) team.^[2]

Playing with the Albury High School team, she was put into the backline in a school game being played at the Lavington Sports Ground. This was because her skills and experience were vital for countering the other school's dominance in that game. Each time the opposition scored a point, Gabriella had to kick out from the full back square. Each time she kicked out with a torpedo punt kick, colloquially known as a "barrel" or "torpy." The 40m-plus kicks became a feature for the crowd, who began yelling for the opposition to kick more points!

She made her debut in Round 1, 2017, in the club and the league's inaugural match at Ikon Park against Collingwood.^[4] In this game, she kicked the first ever torpedo in AFLW in the opening quarter.

A consistent 2019 season as a running half back flanker with clean disposal, saw Gabriella awarded the honour of a place in The All Australian Team. She signed a 2-year contract with Carlton on 10 June 2021, after it was revealed the team had conducted a mass re-signing of 13 players.^[5] Pound is of Sri Lankan descent through her father.^[6]

Her loyalty to the Carlton Football Club was (and has been evident ever since) when she politely denied the opportunity to transfer to North Melbourne when they entered the AFLW competition in 2019. Having played with the kangaroos 'feeder' club, Melbourne University (VFL Women's), she and other 'mugger' players were invited to rejoin as a group with this new club in the AFLW. Notable (former Melbourne University) acquisitions for North Melbourne in their inaugural year were Gabriella's former team mates Emma Kearney and Kaitlyn Ashmore.^[7]

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2024 season^[8]