Two Sunshine Coast AFL players work towards the ultimate goal of selection in the AFLW draft

Two of the Sunshine Coast's best female AFL players are doing all they can to give themselves the best chance in this year’s AFLW draft.

Sunshine Coast AFLW players Maggie Harmer and Bella Smith ready for the year ahead. Picture: Eddie Franklin

Two of the Sunshine Coast's best female AFL players are doing all they can to give themselves the best chance in this year’s AFLW draft.

Maroochydore Roos players Maggie Harmer and Bella Smith both play in the Bond University QAFLW competition.

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The 17-year-olds will be age-eligible for the AFLW draft in October.

The duo hoping to be one of the 61 young athletes looking to be selected by anyone of the 14 AFLW clubs.

Harmer, who plays centre half-back for the Roos, said it’s the ultimate goal and one she’s had for quite a while.

“It's a massive goal of mine and one I’ve been working towards for the past couple of years,” Harmer said.

“It would be the icing on the cake to be named on an AFLW team list and compete against the best.”

Smith, who is predominantly a midfielder, said it’s definitely something in her sights but understands how much work is still to go.

“To be honest I haven't been thinking about too much as I’ve still got a lot of short-term goals that I’m heading towards at the moment,” Smith said.

“I’ll definitely be focused on that as I get further down the track but right now, I’m just taking it day by day.

“It will still be a massive achievement, I just don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

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

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

Harmer says it’s a great stepping stone for everyone involved.

“It requires us to attend different camps throughout the year that include training, playing and even focus on our health and wellness,” Harmer said.

“It’s ultimately to help us prepare for the end goal which is the draft.”

Harmer knows how much of an inspiration it is to see players that have been drafted to the AFLW from Maroochydore AFC.

“It’s such a positive for us girls coming through the ranks and striving to get to the position they're all in,” she said.

In particular, Belle Dawes, who was selected 15th by the Brisbane Lions in the 2019 draft, is starting to create a name for herself in the AFLW competition.

Smith said it’s amazing to see her playing well against the best players in the country.

“It's awesome, Belle’s worked so hard for where she is now and it’s so good for her to come back to the club where everybody looks up to her in what she’s achieved so far,” Smith said.

“She’s one of those players that’s so level-headed, she gets everyone involved, so it’s great to have the opportunity to play alongside her where she can share her knowledge.”

Both Harmer and Smith will look to lift their teammates to another win in the QAFLW competition when they face Wilston Grange away on April 10th.