Eight Trainee’s selected for the 2015 National Women’s Exhibition Clash
Women’s football will again take centre stage this season after the AFL announced the squads for two exhibition games, later in the year.
This year six current and former AFL SportsReady trainees were drafted, with two former trainees retained from the squads in 2014.
Former trainee Tayla Harris was one of the retained players who created history last year when she took a contender for ‘Mark of the year’. A highlight which is currently being broadcast across the country as part of the AFL’s national advertising campaign. Taylor is one of six players that was retained by the Melbourne Football Club’s 2014 squad and will again don the red and blue in both exhibition games.
The Melbourne Football Club and the Western Bulldogs will again do battle as the curtain raiser on May 24 at the MCG (Round 8) and again at Etihad Stadium on August 16 before the round 20 clash.
Competition for the 34 draft positions on offer was fierce, with both clubs retaining only six players from their 2014 squads, selecting a further 17 players from a total of 268 nominees across the country. Each team will enter the matches with a squad of 23 of Australia’s best female footballers.
AFL SportsReady CEO James Montgomery was thrilled to see so many of our trainees get the opportunity to pursue their sporting dreams, “I am proud of the achievements of our young trainees, not only on the field, but also in the workplace and in the classroom.”
“With the increasing demands of sport, it can sometimes be difficult to perform at an elite level, both professionally and athletically, however our trainees have managed to do just that.”
“Our staff can’t wait for both games and if last year was anything to go by, we can all expect some big things. I am excited to see what the future holds for all eight young women.” said Mr Montgomery.
The following eight current and former AFL SportsReady trainees are amongst the best female footballers in the country and their talents’ will be on display as they take to the field.
MELBOURNE DEMONS
Retained from 2014: Tayla Harris, QLD
Pick 20. Kira Phillips (Peel Thunderbirds, WA)
Pick 24. Lauren Morecroft (Diamond Creek, VIC)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Retained from 2014: Aasta O’Connor, VIC,
Pick 05. Kellie Gibson (Swan Districts, WA)
Pick 19. Heather Anderson (Belconnen Magpies, ACT)
Pick 25. Hannah Scott (Eastern Devils, VIC)
Pick 31. Jordan Zanchetta (Yeronga, QLD)
The remaining draftees will make up the respective Melbourne and Western Bulldog squads:
MELBOURNE DEMONS
Pick 02. Danielle Goding (Morphett Park, SA)
Pick 04. Kiara Bowers (Coastal Titans, WA)
Pick 06. Ellie Blackburn (Melbourne University, VIC)
Pick 08. Elise O'Dea (Darebin Falcons, VIC)
Pick 10. Emma Swanson (Peel Thunderbirds, WA)
Pick 12. Hayley Miller (Coastal Titans, WA)
Pick 14. Ebony Rose Antonio (Coastal Titans, WA)
Pick 16. Dana Hooker (Coastal Titans, WA)
Pick 18. Leah Mascall (Coastal Titans, WA)
Pick 22. Brooke Whyte (Melbourne Uni, VIC)
Pick 26. Cecilia McIntosh (Melbourne Uni, VIC)
Pick 28. Bree White (St Albans, VIC)
Pick 30. Brianna Green (East Fremantle, WA)
Pick 32. Courtney Cramey (Morphettville Park, SA)
Pick 34. Jodi Hicks (Riverina Lions, ACT)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Pick 01. Emma King (Coastal Titans, WA)
Pick 03. Meg Hutchins (Eastern Devils, VIC)
Pick 07. Emma Zielke (Coorparoo, QLD)
Pick 09. Katie Loynes (Diamond Creek, VIC)
Pick 11. Renee Forth (Coastal Titans, WA)
Pick 13. Kaitlin Ashmore (Melbourne Uni, VIC)
Pick 15. Lauren Arnell (Darebin Falcons, VIC)
Pick 17. Jessica Wuetschner (East Fremantle, WA)
Pick 21. Emily Bates (Yeronga, QLD)
Pick 23. Leah Kaslar (Coolangatta Bluebirds, QLD)
Pick 27. Madeleine Keryk (Melbourne Uni, VIC)
Pick 29. Phoebe McWilliams (St Kilda Sharks, VIC)
Pick 33. Pepa Randall (St Kilda Sharks, VIC)
GAME DATES:
MFC v WBFC game 1 – MCG, Sunday May 24
WBFC v MFC game 2 – Etihad Stadium, Sunday August 16
IMAGE: Former AFL SportsReady trainee, Tayla Harris created history when she took a contender for ‘Mark of the year’ in the 2014 Women’s Exhibition Game.
