AFL Victoria’s Youth Girls programs continue to go from strength to strength after providing a significant contingent of last night’s inaugural AFL Women’s Draft.
28 of the 50 players chosen to represent Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs in an exhibition match at the MCG on Saturday June 29, were from Victoria.
Of the 28, 12 are current, or previous, members of AFL Victoria’s Youth Girls Academies.
With academies now established at North Ballarat, the Calder Cannons and at the Sandringham Dragons, more girls are having the opportunity to join an elite on-field and personal development program.
The increase in the professionalism in female football has seen a significant rise in the standard of competitions throughout the state and, in particular, at last week’s AFL Youth Girls National Championships in Shepparton.
Victoria’s depth of talent in Youth Girls football saw two sides, a Country and Metro team, compete as separate entities for the first time.
Victoria Metro won the championships with key players Ellie Blackburn, Madeline Keryk, Rebecca Privitelli and Louise Stephenson selected in last night’s draft.
Victoria Country star Jenna Bruton was also selected, capping a big two weeks for the speedster from Trentham.
Complete Draft list:
MELBOURNE
1: Daisy Pearce, Darebin Falcons FC (V)
3: Chelsea Randall, Swan Districts FC (WA)
5: Kara Donnellan, Swan Districts FC (WA)
7: Kirby Bentley, East Fremantle FC (WA)
9: Lou Wotton, East Burwood Devils FC (V)
11: Melissa Hickey, Darebin Falcons FC (V)
13: Ellie Blackburn, Beaconsfield FC (V)
15: Melissa Caulfield, East Fremantle FC (WA)
17: Jasmine Garner, St Kilda Sharks FC (V)
19: Kiara Bowers, Coastal Titans (WA)
21: Madeline Keryk, St Albans Spurs (V)
23: Bree White, St Albans Spurs (V)
25: Courtney Gum, UNSW/ES (NSW)
27: Alicia Eva, Melbourne University (V)
29: Emma Swanson, Peel Thunderbirds (WA)
31: Brooke Whyte, Coastal Titans (WA)
33: Bianca Jakobson, Berwick FC (V)
35: Jennifer Lew, Sydney University (NSW)
37: Leah Kaslar, Palm Beach Currumbin (Q)
39: Kaitlyn Ashmore, Melbourne Uni (V)
41: Renee Forth, Coastal Titans (WA)
43: Stephanie Walding, East Fremantle (WA)
45: Amy Catterall, St Kilda Sharks (V)
47: Alexandra Price, Port Adelaide FC (SA)
49: Bronwyn Davey, Greenacres FC (SA)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
2: Stephanie Chiocci, Diamond Creek (V)
4: Aasta O’Connor, Darebin Falcons (V)
6: Karen Paxman, Darebin Falcons (V)
8: Katie Loynes, Diamond Creek (V)
10: Emma Kearney, Melbourne University( V)
12: Lauren Arnell, Darebin Falcons FC (V)
14: Rebecca Privitelli, Darebin Falcons FC (V)
16: Elise O’Dea, Darebin Falcons FC (V)
18: Nicola Stevens, Melbourne University (V)
20: Natalie Thomas, Yeronga AFC (Q)
22: Katie Brennan, Darebin Falcons FC (V)
24: Leah Mascall, Coastal Titans (WA)
26: Louise Stephenson, Melbourne Uni (V)
28: Kate Lutkins, Yeronga AFC (Q)
30: Lauren Spark, Melbourne University (V)
32: Kira Phillips, Peel Thunderbirds (WA)
34: Sarah D’Arcy, Eastern Devils (V)
36: Ally Anderson, Zillmere FC (Q)
38: Courtney Cramey, Morphetville Park (SA)
40: Jenna Bruton, Ballarat Youth Girls (V)
42: Penny Cula Reid, St Kilda Sharks (V)
44: Emily Bates, Yeronga AFC (Q)
46: Jessica Dal Pos, Darebin Falcons FC (V)
48: Kellie Marie Gibson , Swan Districts (WA)
50: Natalie Wood, Darebin Falcons FC (V)
