Maroochydore Roos player Maggie Harmer gears up for AFLW draft after earning All-Australian honours

A rising Maroochydore teenager says her call up to a national squad is a huge confidence boost just weeks out from the AFLW draft.

Maroochydore Roos player Maggie Harmer is working towards a career in the AFLW. Picture: David Layden

A Maroochydore teen’s dreams have received a major boost just weeks out from the AFLW draft after her name was cast into the spotlight alongside the country’s best talents.

Maroochydore Roos women’s player Maggie Harmer was named in the AFLW U19 All-Australian team at the weekend after her efforts with Queensland in the national U19 championships.

Making her Harmer’s feat even more remarkable was the fact she earned selection after only playing one game.

Queensland was only able to play one match in the AFLW U19 Championships (against Victoria Country) because their clash against Victoria Metro was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“Honestly, I was pretty surprised (with the selection) based off the amount of game time we got but when I heard the news I was so happy and I couldn’t believe it,” Harmer said.

Maggie Harmer in action for Maroochydore. Picture: David Layden

The teenager, a former St Teresa’s Catholic College and Good Shepherd Lutheran College student, was ecstatic with the accolade.

She is preparing for an AFLW combine skills test on the Gold Coast this Sunday and the AFLW draft on July 27.

“It’s obviously awesome to have my name out on that list and that hopefully will help me out going into the draft,” she said.

“It’s a real confidence booster but I’m not getting my hopes up too much because things could change on draft night.”

Harmer said she would be tested across a 2km time trial, on agility, speed, vertical leap and jump at the combine.

“As it (draft) gets closer I get a bit more nervous because you can do more at the beginning of the season to impress but now it’s over it’s just a waiting game,” she said.

She won’t be the only Maroochydore Roos talent entering the AFLW combine and draft this month, with teammate and fellow Queensland representative Bella Smith chasing the dream too.

Both players are also part of the AFLW Academy for the second year running.

The academy highlights and helps further develop the best female players in the country.

They’re hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Roos player Belle Dawes, who was selected 15th by the Brisbane Lions in the 2019.

The Coast also boasts other stars making names for themselves in the AFLW including Shannon Campbell (Lions), Tahlia Randall, (North Melbourne Football Club) and Aasta O’Connor (retired).