The AFLW’s latest No.1 decide

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“It means the world to me and my household, rising up and being a Doggies supporter. I couldn’t ask for something higher,” she mentioned.

Wrapped right into a frenzy of hugs, GWV Rebels skipper Jessica Rentsch cupped her palms over her face in pleasure as she was named the No.2 decide for the West Coast Eagles.

Residing three hours out from Melbourne, Rentsch hadn’t deliberate to attend the draft in individual – till AFLW icon and newly introduced West Coast coach Daisy Pearce requested her presence.

“She referred to as my dad yesterday and was like ‘Is it potential to get her to come back down?’ and I used to be like ‘oh, one thing’s occurring right here’,” Rentsch mentioned.

Her dad, Alistair, spoke by means of tears as he mentioned: “It’s been a giant build-up, [I’m] very pleased with her. It’s a dream come true.”

At decide No.3, GWS chosen midfielder Kaitlyn Srhoj, who was so overcome with excitment she didn’t realise AFL boss Andrew Dillon had not pronounced her final title appropriately.

The West Australian selected footy over basketball, and is able to transfer throughout the state for what she described as “a dream come true”.

“I performed basketball at fairly a excessive degree, I represented WA as I did with soccer, however I had a significant damage in 2021. That type of pulled me out of sport for a 12 months, and I had to consider which one I needed to decide on.”

However there have been no regrets in her alternative, with Srhoj including: ”I’ll endlessly miss basketball, however I’m so glad that I selected footy.”

The Bulldogs, who had 4 of the primary 11 of Monday night time’s picks, additionally chosen Central District’s Elaine Grigg at decide quantity six. Grigg mentioned footy helped her construct group and connection in Australia after transferring from Kenya when she was eight years previous.

“I’m simply so grateful to be right here,” she mentioned. Initially a basketballer, the cross-code expertise moved to footy after being informed she was “too tough”.

Becoming a member of Weston-Turner and Grigg at Whitten Oval is No.4 decide, Brooke Barwick. The Tasmania Satan all-rounder missed final 12 months’s draft after struggling an ACL damage.

Different high 10 picks have been Bendigo Pioneers skipper Lila Keck to the Blues at No.7. Becoming a member of the Magpies at picks eight and 9 have been tall ahead Georgia Clarke and Oakleigh Chargers’ Lucille Cronine; whereas the Saints nabbed Vic Metro midfielder Kiera Whiley at decide No.10.

Earlier than the draft, the room fell silent when Pearce spoke.

“Folks’s lives will probably be modified tonight,” Pearce mentioned. “The networks you create once you turn out to be part of the footy household, the superior position fashions you’ve got once you instantly get your self 29 new sisters.”

Dillon addressed the draft prospects filling the room in his welcome speech: “You may be becoming a member of the most important home ladies’s competitors within the nation. It’s a contest contemporary of its greatest season but.

“Now we have over 600,000 ladies and ladies enjoying our recreation nationally; there’s solely 550 spots to play on the highest degree.”

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