The anticipation for the inaugural season of the AFL Women’s competition is building, especially for the GIANTS newest recruits Stephanie Walker, Ashleigh Guest and Kristy De Pellegrini.
The trio was selected by the GIANTS in Wednesday’s 2016 NAB AFL Women’s Draft.
For Guest, the GIANTS second selection, being drafted not only presents an exciting opportunity to play football at the highest level but help grow the game in another state.
Despite playing for the VU Western Spurs in Footscray, Victoria, the Utility had no hesitation in nominating for the New South Wales Draft.
“When the eight teams were announced and GWS was one of them I thought I’d give it a go,” Guest said.
“My work was pretty flexible so I floated the idea and they were pretty keen to get me up here.
“GWS are really passionate about growing women’s footy and it’s something I’m really passionate about as well.”
Key defender Kristy De Pellegrini, who was selected with pick 81 from the Southern Power (Based in South Sydney’s Southerland Shire), shares a similar motivation.
“Back home I played netball. It was sort of a football/ netball club,” she said.
“Boys played footy, girls played netball and that’s just the way it was.
“So I moved up here and found footy, I love it.”
The GIANTS selected 15 players during Wednesday’s NAB AFL Women’s Draft and each had markedly different draft experiences.
While Ashleigh Guest attended the draft announcement in Melbourne alongside number one pick Nicola Barr, the GIANTS’ final pick Stephanie Walker had an agonizing wait.
“I had my chiropractor's appointment,” Walker said with a laugh,
“I was in the waiting room, waiting and watching it (the draft) then quickly dashing in and out to watch it as I was being treated.
“It was down to the last two picks and I got picked.”
Where a player was selected in the draft will become irrelevant in a months time, when the GIANTS AFL Women’s team assembles for its first day of preseason training on November 14.
For the three draftees, it will be their first time using the club’s elite training facilities at Tom Wills Oval and, for some, meeting their new teammates.
“I’m really keen to hook in and have a crack and meet all the girls,” Walker said.
“I just can’t wait, it’s going to be sick.”
Click here to become sign up as a foundation GIANTS AFL Women’s Member.
