Region’s best set for Women’s Draft

The inaugural draft held last year was an overwhelming success, with 48 elite women drafted to the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Demons, before playing in an exhibition match.

NSW state player Courtney Gum, from UNSW-ES Stingrays, and Sydney University defender Jennifer Lew were picked up by the Melbourne Demons, getting the opportunity to take to the hallowed MCG turf, and train in a professional AFL environment.

Based on individual performances from last year’s game half the draftees have been retained by the Demon and Bulldogs, with the other half de-listed, freeing up 12 spots on either club’s list, opening the door for plenty of young talent, including several players from NSW and the ACT.

Gum, a 2013 All Australian representative, was retained by the Demons, but her teammate Lew unfortunately was left out of the squad, though she has the opportunity to be picked up again.

Of the 284 players who nominated for the draft 55 were from NSW or the ACT, with a handful of the region’s best female footballers in with a genuine shot of a once-in-a-lifetime football experience, including four days in camp with the Bulldogs or Demons with full access to top-class facilities, before this year’s exhibition game at Etihad Stadium on Sunday June 29.

Heather Anderson and Karina Demant (pictured) are the region’s best hopes tonight, with the likes of Youth Girls All Australian’s Maddy Collier, and Jodie Hicks, Mai Nguyen, and Laura Holdsworth outside chances.

Demant has competed at several Women’s Nationals and was a stand out for her victorious Division 2 team in 2013.

A prolific goal scorer, Demant is a current All Australian and was a member of the first AFL Academy.

Anderson is a two-time Youth Girls All Australian, and was named in the women’s All Australian side last year, in her first carnival.

A rebounding defender who plays with Belconnen in Canberra, Anderson runs hard, is a very good contested mark, and smart user of the ball.

AFL NSW/ACT Female Programs Manager Libby Sadler is bullish about the prospects of her charges in tonight’s draft.

“I think a lot of the players we’ve had nominate deserve to be seriously considered as genuine draft possibilities, and Heather and Karina have been outstanding,” Sadler said.

“The draft is another exciting step forward in the development of female football as we build towards a national competition.”

Broadcast details of the Etihad Stadium exhibition match will be available in the coming weeks.

Tonight’s draft, commentated by Tom Harley and Sam Lane, will be broadcast live through the AFL community website, beginning at 7pm.