By Marnie Vinall and Claire Siracusa
AFLW draft night has produced a fairytale story for new Eagle Zoe Wakfer, who was shocked and in tears as she walked to the stage after her name was called out.
When AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone announced pick 36, the last of the first round, she prefaced it by saying that she expected the draftee was completely unaware, as she was there to support her sister and wasn’t wearing a team polo.
Livingstone was right.
Zoe Wakfer was left stunned when her name was called out at pick 36.Credit: AFL Photos
Wakfer was in tears as she walked up to the stage to accept her jersey, clearly in disbelief with her hand over her mouth.
“I was a bit gobsmacked to be honest,” Zoe, wearing a team polo pulled on over her dress, said on stage later.
She was standing alongside her sister Lauren, who was taken by the Eagles at pick 15 earlier in the night.
Zoe Wakfer heads up to the stage.Credit: AFL Photos
The pair explained that Lauren has led the way when it comes to football, with Zoe following in her footsteps – most recently in the WAFL – when she had “FOMO” from watching her sister.
“I’ve done all the hard yards, she’s just tagged along,” Lauren joked.
“We’ve always played together, it’s not really anything different,” Lauren said. “It would have been a bit weirder if we weren’t playing together, to be honest.”
With their very proud parents watching on, Zoe said of her sister: “I was here for her and now she’s here for me too”.
On stage, the pair confirmed they had a fierce sibling rivalry. But they later confirmed to The Age there would be no competing for positions within the Eagles team.
“I’m the ruck, she’s the back,” said Lauren.
Lauren will be unable to play this season as she recovers from a ruptured ACL, but is potentially the best ruck prospect this year. However, it was never a problem in her conversations with West Coast.
“With my injury they were always, like, checking in and always saying, ‘we just want you to know this isn’t going to affect our decision’.
“They were really cool and really supportive, so I’m really thankful for that.”
Zoe said the moment meant a lot to the whole family. “Obviously I think he [their father] was expecting Lauren to be drafted, all hopes for Lauren to be drafted, and I think he’s overwhelmingly proud of where we are tonight.”
“Both Mum and him are over the moon.
She said her selection took her by surprise.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t this.
“I was here tonight for her [Lauren], so to be called out as well was an even bigger surprise. So, it’s overwhelming, [I’m] gobsmacked.”
Swans take Ham with top pick
Earlier in the night, Western Jets midfielder Montana Ham was taken by the Swans with pick one.
Jasmine Fleming, an Oakleigh Charger who grew up a Hawks supporter, was taken by Hawthorn as the second overall pick and the No.1 Victorian selection. Port Adelaide took Hannah Ewings from SMOSH West Lakes in the top spot in the South Australian pool with pick No.3, before Essendon picked Amber Clarke at No.4 and Sydney took Sofia Hurley at five.
Ham said she was “absolutely thrilled” to be going to Sydney and despite it being all but certain she would head there, she said there were still nerves until her name was called out.
She spoke about her father, who passed away seven years ago. “He would be super proud,” she said on stage at the draft, adding that her dad had taught her everything she knew.
Top pick Montana Ham will play for the Swans.Credit: AFL Photos
She said she was looking forward to “getting in and training hard” and earning the respect of her teammates.
Fleming, the daughter of former cricketer Damien, said the decision to pick football over cricket was a tough one, but it came down to opportunity. She wears the No.10 for her uncle, former Bomber Gary O’Donnell.
This year was the first to feature all 18 clubs, with expansion teams Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney welcomed to the competition. Those four clubs held picks 1-13 between them and decided much of the first instalment of the night.
Mackenzie Eardley (Hawthorn), Sarah Goodwin (Port Adelaide), Paige Scott (Essendon), Charlotte Baskaran (Hawthorn) and Bridie Hipwell (Hawthorn) rounded out the top 10.
Jasmine Fleming was picked up by the Hawks,Credit: AFL Photos
Top 10 is always a prestigious list but done a little differently to the men’s draft. The women’s draft consists of five state pools, with players nominating the state in which they wish to play.
This year, the coveted list only included expansion signings, to help give the incoming sides competitive playing lists for their inaugural seasons. In the top mix, Hawthorn had four selections, while Essendon, Sydney and Port Adelaide all had two each.
Sydney then had picks 11-13, taking Cynthia Hamilton, Alice Mitchell and Montana Beruldsen, before the first non-expansion club, West Coast, kicked it off for the West Australian pool with all-rounder Ella Roberts from Peel Thunder at pick 14 and Lauren Wakfer at pick 15.
St Kilda picked up midfielder J’Noemi Anderson with No.16, before the Blues took another mid, Keeley Skepper, at 17 and forward Mia Austin at 18. The top Queensland prospect, Alana Gee, went to Gold Coast with pick 19. Rounding out the top 20 was Zarlie Goldsworthy, who went to GWS.
The Power’s Ewings, the No.1 South Australian selection, summed up how a lot of the draftees were feeling: “It’s pretty surreal but once your name gets called up, it’s pretty amazing.
“All my hard work has finally paid off and [I’m] just excited for what’s ahead.”
Ewings said she had long looked up to AFLW star Erin Philips, who has recently moved to the Power, and was excited to be her teammate. “I idolised her through my game and as a person, and I’ve looked up to her since my whole life, I’m very grateful.”
The picks
No.1: Montana Ham to Sydney
Western Jets
As expected, Sydney took strong-bodied midfielder Ham with their prized No.1 draft pick. The Western Jet nominated for the NSW pool despite being from Victoria. The 18-year-old has been likened to Carlton’s Patrick Cripps, and is able to compete well in the air and at ground level. She recently was awarded best on ground in the AFLW Academy game and earned Vic Metro MVP and will strengthen the Swans’ midfield, particularly around contests and getting the ball forward. She could also prove a good leader for the future of the side.
No.2: Jasmine Fleming to Hawthorn
Oakleigh Chargers
The second player to go on the night was Fleming, taken by Hawthorn with their first pick in the Victorian draft. Fleming, a quick midfielder who reads play well and has a dangerous right-foot kick, is the daughter of former Australian cricketer Damien Fleming. She earned under-18 All-Australian honours with impressive form in the championships, and is a premiership player from the Oakleigh Chargers. The new Hawthorn recruit will boost the inaugural side’s midfield and will be particularly handy in contests at ground level, able to read play well and break out of stoppages with pace.
No.3: Hannah Ewings to Port Adelaide
North Adelaide
The standout prospect for South Australia this draft, Ewings is a strong-bodied midfielder able to roll forward and hit the scoreboard, while also dangerous around stoppages through body work and pace. She averaged 21.3 disposals with 70.3 per cent efficiency in the under-18 championships and earned All-Australian honours playing for South Australia’s undefeated side. She’ll likely be a key player in Port Adelaide’s midfield, adding strength to the group already developing there.
No.4: Amber Clarke to Essendon
Dandenong Stingrays
A lightning-quick midfielder/half-forward, Clarke won the NAB League Girls best and fairest award this season, was named in the NAB League team of the year, and clocked the fastest time at the 2021 NAB League Girls pre-season testing. She has good game sense and can break games open with pace and hit the scoreboard. She’ll provide depth in Essendon’s midfield and will provide plenty of pace, potentially on the wing.
New Bomber Amber Clarke (centre) with Maddy Prespakis and coach Lauren Wood.Credit: AFL Photos
No.5: Sofia Hurley to Sydney
Sandringham Dragons
An agile midfielder with a lot of speed, Hurley was ranked second in the nation in the two-kilometre draft combine testing and will provide a lot of pace to Sydney’s midfield. She earned NAB League team of the year honours after averaging 26 disposals and was a key playmaker for Vic Metro, where she received All-Australian under-18 selection.
No.6: Mackenzie Eardley to Hawthorn
Dandenong Stingrays
Defenders usually don’t go so high in drafts but Eardley will be a good long-term investment for Hawthorn and help build the side’s defensive stocks. A versatile tall defender with the ability to roll forward as a marking target, she earned All-Australian under-18 honours and NAB League team of the year selection and has impressive skills both by hand and foot.
No.7: Sarah Goodwin to Port Adelaide
Glenelg
Able to play either half-back or on the wing, Goodwin has a good work rate – almost always running with pace while on the field – and impressive vision and decision-making skills, which will make her an important player for Port Adelaide, especially when moving the ball up field.
No.8: Paige Scott to Essendon
Carisbrook
A powerful forward, Scott can also play through the midfield and has a natural, impressive boot on her. She’s a good player for Essendon to build around, having been awarded All-Australian selection in the 2021 under-19 championships and has proven to be a key position forward with marking and kicking ability.
No.9: Charlotte Baskaran to Hawthorn
Western Jets
Baskaran, who finished runner-up in the NAB League Girls best and fairest, is an onballer with good footy IQ and the ability to read play. She possesses a powerful blend of speed and endurance. With a background in athletics, she can dash away from stoppages and will be a good pair with Fleming. She will also provide good leadership to the expansion side.
Charlotte Baskaran with coach Bec Goddard.Credit: AFL Photos
No.10: Bridie Hipwell to Hawthorn
Sandringham Dragons
Hipwell is tall, inside midfielder with good defensive qualities and the ability to provide a marking target, including overhead, when moving the ball forward. Having proved she can have an impact in a range of roles, Hipwell will be a good player to develop for Hawthorn.
No.11: Cynthia Hamilton to Sydney
Queanbeyan
The 178-centimetre Hamilton is a prolific ball-winner and fierce tackler who plays in the midfield but can roll forward to provide a marking target. She was an All-Australian in the 2021 under-19 championships and the Allies under-19 MVP last year. Involved in the first GWS academy pathways, she has already had a taste of professional football and now will join the Swans as a tall who can read the play well to strengthen their midfield group.
No.12: Montana Beruldsen to Sydney
Hawthorn VFLW
Beruldsen had already been announced as an open-age signing, but wasn’t eligible as she hadn’t previously nominated for the draft. She hails from an athletics background and is still fresh to football but with pace and agility in her skill set, she’ll be a good investment for Sydney’s future.
No.13: Alice Mitchell to Sydney
Gunnedah
Similar to Beruldsen, Mitchell was announced as an open-age signing earlier this year but had to go through the draft as she hadn’t previously nominated for it. Now, she’s officially a Swan. Mitchell is a versatile tall who can play either defence or attack, meaning she’ll be a good development player for Sydney. She’s from Sydney’s Northern beaches, so she should feel right at home in the red and white.
No.14: Ella Roberts to West Coast
Peel Thunder
Roberts could have been in the conversation for the No.1 pick had it been a national draft. A forward with good overhead marking ability, she’s a big game player that will add creativity and flair to West Coast’s forward line. She was named player of the under-19 national championships before she turned 17, with clean hands at ground level and at clearances.
Lauren Wakfer with Eagles coach Michael Prior.Credit: AFL Photos
No.15: Lauren Wakfer to West Coast
South Fremantle
Unfortunately, Wakfer ruptured her ACL and won’t be able to play in the upcoming season but is potentially the best ruck prospect this year. She will be a great investment for West Coast’s future, especially long-term. A former netballer with also athletics in her background, she has a strong work rate with clean skills.
No.16: J’Noemi Anderson to St Kilda
Sandringham Dragons
A hard ball-winner, Anderson will help St Kilda’s midfield, which has been depleted of late due to injuries, player movement and losing players who do not meet the AFL’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Anderson is a versatile impact player with good overhead marking ability and pace to burst out of stoppages. She comes from an AFL family, with brother Jed currently playing for North Melbourne.
No.17: Keeley Skepper to Carlton
Murray Bushrangers
An agile midfielder able to play in defence, Skepper earned NAB League team of the year and All-Australian selection as well as MVP honours for her team in the championship. She attacks the ball and will provide depth to Carlton’s midfield and help move the ball forward, particularly with her impressive, penetrating kick.
Keeley Skepper with her family before the draft.Credit: AFL Photos
No.18: Mia Austin to Carlton
Eastern Ranges
Hailing from an athletics background, Austin is a good aerial player who will provide firepower up forward, especially after losing Nic Stevens to St Kilda. She was selected in the NAB League team of the year, has a natural leap and can hit the scoreboard.
No.19: Alana Gee to Gold Coast
The top Queensland prospect, Gee is a competitive and hard-working midfielder with a good mix of endurance and speed and will provide Gold Coast with pace. She has strong outside and inside ball-winning skills, and already has had a taste of a professional football environment, being a product of the Suns’ academy.
No.20: Zarlie Goldsworthy to GWS
Murray Bushrangers
Goldsworthy was a Young Matilda and comes from a multisport background. She joins GWS as an inside mid. She’s extremely physical at the contest and has a dangerous mix of competitiveness, endurance and a strong work rate. She has a good overhead reach and kick on her, making her a good target in the Giants’ forward line.
No.21: Riley Wilcox (Northern Knights) to Western Bulldogs
No.22: Lucy Wales (Casey Demons) to Hawthorn
No.23: Sachi Syme (Norwood) to Port Adelaide
No.24: Abbygail Bushby (Swan Districts) to West Coast
No.25: Emily Everist (Bendigo Pioneers) to Hawthorn
No. 26: Laura Elliott (Western Jets) to Hawthorn
No.27: Madeleine Scanlon (Claremont) to Fremantle
No.28: Tayla Gatt (Dandenong Stingrays) to North Melbourne
No.29: Keeley Coyne (Sandringham) to Western Bulldogs
No.30: Charlotte Taylor (Oakleigh Chargers) to Collingwood
No.31: Ella Boag (Glenelg) to Port Adelaide
No.32: Stephanie Wales (Casey Demons) to Essendon
No.33: Mia Skinner (Geelong) to Geelong
No.34: Claire Ransom (North Hobart) to Gold Coast
No.35: Mia Busch (Eastern Ranges) to Essendon
No.36: Zoe Wakfer (South Fremantle) to West Coast
ROUND TWO
No.37: Heidi Woodley (Calder Cannons) to Western Bulldogs
No.38: Charley Ryan (Dandenong Stingrays) to Richmond
No.39: Sophia McCarthy (Williamstown) to North Melbourne
No.40: Keeley Kustermann (West Adelaide) to Adelaide
No.41: Ella Smith (Aspley) to Brisbane
No.42: Brooke Plummer (Northern Knights) to Geelong
No.43: Emily Elkington (Claremont) to West Coast
No.44: Maeve Chaplin (Casey Demons) to Melbourne
No.45: Yasmin Duursma (Gippsland Power) to Port Adelaide
No.46: Mia Van Dyke (Geelong Falcons) to Essendon
No.47: Jaide Britton (Peel Thunder) to West Coast
No.48: Lily Goss (Carlton) to Carlton
ROUND THREE
No.49: Samantha Johnston (Casey Demons) to Melbourne
No.50: Charli Granville (Hawthorn) to North Melbourne
No.51: Grace Matser (Bass Coast) to North Melbourne
No.52: Jasmyn Smith (Bond University) to Gold Coast
No.53: Mikayla Western (Claremont) to West Coast
No.54: Cassidy Mailer (Murray Bushrangers) to North Melbourne
No.55: Abbey Mcdonald (Calder Cannons) to Geelong
No.56: Charlotte Blair (Dandenong Stingrays) to Collingwood
No.57: Dee Heslop (Gold Coast) to Brisbane
No.58: Eilish Sheerin (Inner West Magpies) to Richmond
No.59: Tara Stribley (Swan Districts) to Fremantle
No.60: Katelyn Cox (Hawthorn) to Richmond
No.61: Amelie Borg (North Adelaide) to Port Adelaide
No.62: Amelia Radford (Essendon) to Essendon
ROUND FOUR
No.63: Hannah Stuart (Southern Saints) to St Kilda
No.64: Fleur Davies (Southport) to Greater Western Sydney
No.65: Gold Coast - PASS
No.66: Meghan Gaffney (Tasmania Devils) to Greater Western Sydney
No.67: Jessica Jones (North Melbourne) to Carlton
No.68: Brooke Vernon (Carlton) to Western Bulldogs
No.69: Kiera Mueller (Sturt) to Adelaide
No.70: Charlotte Mullins (Aspley) to Brisbane
No.71: Mckenzie Dowrick (Eagles) to Adelaide
No.72: Georgia Gall (Euroa) to Melbourne
No.73: Ashleigh Van Loon (Geelong) to Essendon
ROUND FIVE
No.74: Deanna Jolliffe (Southern Saints) to St Kilda
No.75: Madison Brazendale (Tasmanian Devils) to Greater Western Sydney
No.76: Collingwood - PASS
No.77: Megan Kauffman (Wembley) to Fremantle
No.78: Kiara Hillier (Maroochydore) to Brisbane
No.79: Melbourne - PASS
No.80: Lily Johnson (West Adelaide) to Port Adelaide
ROUND SIX
No.81: Caitlin Matthews (Oakleigh Chargers) to St Kilda
No.82: Jodie Hicks (Macquarie University) to Greater Western Sydney
No.83: Amy Mulholland (Subiaco) to Fremantle
ROUND SEVEN
No.84: Cambridge McCormick (Eastlake) to Greater Western Sydney
No.85: Tahlia Read (Maribyrnong Park) to Fremantle
ROUND EIGHT
No.86: Tess Cattle (Ainslie) to Greater Western Sydney
ROUND NINE
No.87: Greater Western Sydney - PASS