Isabella Grant and Millie Brown join Dogs, Cats as father-daughter recruits
The AFLW’s two newest recruits will write new chapters for their clubs, and famous families, after being locked in today under the father-daughter rule.
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The Grant and Brown legacies will have an exciting new chapter at the Western Bulldogs and Geelong after the clubs locked in two father-daughter recruits to their AFLW teams today.
Isabella Grant, daughter of Bulldogs champion Chris Grant, and Millie Brown, daughter of ex-Cat Paul Brown, have been signed after the Dogs and Geelong matched opposition bids for both players.
Grant is a key forward like her father, who kicked 554 goals in 341 games with the Bulldogs from 1990-2007. She played for the Western Jets at junior level, representing Victoria at and under-18 championships in 2018 and 2019.
Millie Brown is a key defender who captained the Murray Bushrangers and was co-captain of Vic Country. Her father Paul Brown was a skilled half-forward who played 84 games from 1990-99.
They will join Carlton’s Abbie McKay (daughter of club great Andrew) as the three father-daughter recruits in the league this season.
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Isabella Grant received a phone call confirming her signing while she was doing her homework.
“It was crazy, I did not know how to react,” she said.
“Mick (Sandry, list manager) ... rang up… (and said) ‘I’d just like to inform you that you’re officially a Bulldog’. I was just like, ‘Oh, my god’.
“It had been a long build-up – I got to train with them a few times with the academy and then finding out that I could actually be a part of that culture and that team, it was amazing.”
Father Chris said he and wife Mel couldn’t be prouder of their daughter.
“I’ve enjoyed it as much as I’m sure Issy has, because it’s a great opportunity to have your children play the game that you love,” he said.
“The last four years have been a steep learning curve for her, but she’s absolutely loved it.”
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Millie Brown is completing Year 12 in Shepparton.
“I feel very privileged to be a father-daughter selection,” she said.
“I’m extremely excited to get stuck into training as it has been such a hectic year with school. I can’t wait to get started.”
Under the AFLW father-daughter rule, a player can be nominated by a club if their father played at least one AFL or VFL game for that club.
The picks used on the pair will be confirmed at the AFLW draft on October 22.
Originally published as Isabella Grant and Millie Brown join Dogs, Cats as father-daughter recruits