AFL Women’s draft 2019: Richmond drafts its own recruiting manager
Taking part in its first AFLW draft, Richmond didn't have to look far for its newest recruit when pick 96 rolled around - she effectively recruited herself. SEE EVERY PICK
If you want something done, do it yourself.
So the saying goes, but Richmond took it literally at its first AFL Women’s draft, selecting the club’s own recruiting manager onto the club’s AFLW list.
Yes, she effectively drafted herself.
The Tigers had just one pick in the first round of its first AFLW draft after a very active trade period, selecting Sophie Molan with pick 5.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERY PICK IN TODAY'S DRAFT
But it was as the draft neared the final stages that things got interesting, with the Tigers selecting recruiting boss Lauren Tesoriero with pick 96.
It was list boss Kate Sheahan who pulled rank.
“At one point she didn’t want to do anything and I said, ‘Bad luck, it’s my call, I’ll get it over the line’,” Sheahan said.
Tesoriero ruptured her ACL in June while playing for the Tigers’ VFLW outfit, but was given the all-clear by medicos to nominate for the draft on Friday afternoon.
She wasn’t the only one to already have a club polo shirt in the cupboard, with West Coast selecting its digital and social media manager Kate Orme with pick 70.
GUM GOING AROUND AGAIN
She was named the AFL Women’s Most Valuable Player in 2018 and called time on her playing career, but Courtney Gum is set to pull the boots on again.
Gum, 38, starred for GWS to earn All-Australian selection in 2018 but after moving back to South Australia, Adelaide swooped and took the midfielder with pick 83 in the draft.
“I think Courtney had every intention of staying retired, but life is probably a bit more settled being back in Adelaide, back in her job and with a greater support network for her young son, Buzz,” Crows football boss Phil Harper said.
“Obviously, Courtney is a great player and has enjoyed a long and successful football career.
“With three of our players on the comeback from knee reconstructions, we were keen to add some experience to our playing group for 2020 and believe Courtney will be a valuable addition.”
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EVERYONE LOOKS GOOD IN NAVY
Clubs pull out all stops in their endeavours to land players at draft time, and one of Carlton’s biggest wins came thanks to a handy bit of Photoshopping.
The Blues jagged Geelong Falcons skipper Lucy McEvoy with pick two in Tuesday’s AFL Women’s draft and she revealed that a mock-up had gone a long way to winning her over.
“They were pretty keen since I first met them I was quietly hoping I’d end up at the Bluebaggers,” McEvoy said.
“They even did a Photoshop at one of the house meetings of me in a Carlton jumper. I was like ‘ooh, that looks pretty good!’. I’m super happy.
“It was before I’d made my decision as well. I was like ‘that does look pretty good on me’. It was unreal.”
The Blues were rapt with their draft haul, with McEvoy likened to former skipper Bri Davey who departed the club for Collingwood at the end of last season.
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BULLDOG READY FOR ROUGH AND TUMBLE
NEW Bulldog Nell Morris-Dalton is ready for whatever AFLW throws at her.
The No.6 draft pick grew up kicking the footy and playing cricket with “about 15” boys in a park behind her house – and it wasn’t for the faint hearted.
“We had a good game called ‘Barry Hall’ football on the neighbours’ trampoline. It was about as rough as you could get – you’d jump in the air, punch everyone and someone would kick it and you’d try and take the mark,” she said.
“It all ended when I chipped my tooth. I got a big punch in the face.
“We never played again.”
Recap every AFLW draft selection and all the news headlines in the blog below
Originally published as AFL Women’s draft 2019: Richmond drafts its own recruiting manager