AFLW Draft: Swans and GIANTS’ picks (and a Tiger!)
On 29 June 2022, the AFLW celebrated its coming of age during its draft for the upcoming Season 7.
It is the first time in the competition’s history that all 18 clubs will field a team in the AFLW.
The Swans have joined the GIANTS in the AFLW, and we can’t wait for the cross-town rivalry to bloom in the years ahead.
Special congratulations to Eilish Sheerin, the Inner West Magpie from AFL Sydney who was selected at pick 58 by the Richmond Tigers. The 29-year-old – Richmond’s second pick – might be the only player drafted last night with an MBA.
The former GIANTS train-on player did an ACL in 2020, missing her AFLW dream. It’s a great moment for Sheerin that will provide inspiration for so many battling injuries.
Richmond AFLW Recruiting Manager, Trent Moseby, said the Tigers were delighted to provide the mature-age recruit with an AFLW opportunity.
“Eilish first caught our attention playing in the Women’s Summer Series for GWS Giants against the Sydney Swans, which featured AFLW listed talent. She was one of the best on the ground in multiple games, playing a variety of roles,” Moseby said.
“Her strengths are her elite athleticism and her versatility to play on multiple sized opponents and multiple roles across the ground. She is an elite competitor who penetrates the game with her long kicking and run and carry style.
“We see Eilish playing as a rebounding defender in our system and we are excited to see what she can do wearing the yellow and black.”
The following players will join our two elite teams for Season 7, kicking off in late August.
Sydney Swans
Pick one – Montana Ham, Western Jets
Montana Ham will move from Melbourne to the emerald city, bringing plenty of strength and class to the new side.
A midfielder, Montana is as skillful as she is strong and at 180 centimetres, she’s a classic ruck-rover who is touted as a future star of AFLW.
Pick five – Sofia Hurley, Sandringham Dragons
Sofia Hurley is a dual best and fairest at Sandringham Dragons. The midfielder will be an asset to the Swans as a prolific ball winner who has the golden combination of speed and endurance.
Lookout when Hurley has a rest up forward. She’s crafty at stoppages and can snag a few goals.
Pick 11 – Cynthia Hamilton, Queanbeyan Tigers
Cynthia Hamilton is a name well-known to those who follow talent pathways in NSW and the ACT. The Canberran is a genuine star who tackles hard and kicks with precision.
She loves skateboarding and is a four-time Australian judo champion. Get out of her way because she tackles hard.
Read more about Cynthia, here.
Pick 12 – Montana Berulsden, Hawthorn
Originally from South Australia, Montana Beruldsen’s background is athletics. She excelled in the 100m and 400m hurdles, competing at the national level, while she has also competed at a high level in a range of other disciplines including the heptathlon.
Beruldsen joined Hawthorn’s AFLW Academy last year and has played in the Hawks’ VFLW side this season.
While Beruldsen footy experience is limited, her athletic talent caught the Swans’ eye and the team expects her to grow into a significant AFLW talent.
Pick 13 – Alice Mitchell, Gunnedah Bulldogs
Alice Mitchell put her hand up for AFLW selection after impressing throughout the inaugural Women’s Summer Series while playing for the Swans Red team.
Mitchell grew up in Sydney playing for the Mosman Swans and moved to Gunnedah after school. She has starred for the Gunnedah Bulldogs across the last two seasons.
She can play as a defender or up forward and will be a useful asset to the Swans.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely Alice will play in 2022 after she injured her knee recently.
GIANTS
Pick 20 – Zarlie Goldsworthy, Murray Bushrangers, GIANTS Academy
Zarlie Goldsworthy was an elite talent in soccer who only recently came to footy. Despite this, she dominated the recent National Championships in 2022 and was named the MVP for the Allies team.
Although she’s only played club football for the past two seasons, Zarlie has been around the game a lot, gaining selection at school and representative level during the years when soccer was her priority.
She’s known as a tough competitor with a massive kick.
Read more about Zarlie, here.
Pick 64 – Fleur Davis, Southport
Fleur Davis plays as a ruck who can go forward. She’s immensely powerful with a big leap who dominated in the ruck for the Allies in 2022.
Pick 66 – Meghan Gaffney, Tasmania Devils
Meghan Gaffney is a hard running midfielder known for owning the wing. She is a natural possession accumulator.
Pick 75 – Madison Brazendale, Tasmania Devils
Another Tasmanian on the wing, Madison Brazendale is a tackling machine.
Quick and agile, Brazendale competing at national level in the 400 metre hurdles following a dominant 2021 on the track in Tasmania.
Pick 82 – Jodie Hicks, Macquarie Uni, GIANTS
Jodie Hicks has been in the draft before, taken with the GIANTS’ first pick in 2017. She was delisted from the club in June 2021 and spent a year away from the elite arena.
Not just an elite footballer, Hicks has been part of the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League since its first season.
Hicks hails from Hay in the Riverina and is a product of the NSW/ACT Youth Girls Talent Pathway program. Hicks starred for NSW/ACT at national level as a junior, twice being named in the Under-18s All Australian team.
Pick 84 – Cambridge McCormick, Eastlake Demons, Port Macquarie Magpies
Cambridge McCormick grew up in Queensland but moved to Port Macquarie to study physiotherapy, where she dominated for Port Macquarie Magpies, notching two league best and fairests. She was also judged best afield in two grand finals, despite only winning one.
McCormick has managed six matches for Eastlake in 2022 and features in the Demons’ best in four of them.
She can play a key position role at either end of the field and pinch hit in the ruck. She has great hands, uses the ball well and is very athletic.
Pick 86 – Tess Cattle, Ainslie Football Club, GIANTS Academy
Tess Cattle is revered for her toughness, pressure and contested ball.
She’s known as a natural footballer and will find the ball where others cannot. She consistently features in the best in whatever team she’s playing it and will thrive in an elite environment.
