AFLW Draft 2018: VFL Rising Star medallist Jayde Van Dyk looms as top pick in AFL Women’s draft
BOX Hill coach Patrick Hill believes star defender Jayde Van Dyk is a “certainty” to be selected in the AFLW draft after a standout season in the VFLW.
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THERE wasn’t much Jayde Van Dyk didn’t achieve in 2018.
The Hawthorn defender’s breakout season was sealed with a place in the VFLW team of the year.
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She was also named the Debbie Lee medallist as the competition’s Rising Star and was a vital cog in the Hawks’ grand final win over Geelong.
And Hawthorn coach Patrick Hill believes it is a “certainty” the talented 22-year-old’s name will be called out in this month’s AFLW draft.
“My view is she’s the best player in the VFLW not signed to a AFLW list,” Hill said.
“This year she has taken her game to a new level again.
“Her awareness around the contest is quite exceptional. She can fire a handball out with only a slight glance.
“We made a bit of a joke late in the season, I brought her up on the highlights reel one game where she actually made an error and I said, ‘it’s taken two years but you’ve finally made a mistake to get you up on the review’.”
Such was Van Dyk’s importance to Hawthorn’s premiership campaign, she was named in the best players in 13 of her games.
Van Dyk, who was born in Townsville, joined Hawthorn ahead of the 2017 season from Chirnside Park, where she played in Division 2 of the Victorian Women’s Football League.
“We knew we had a player when she first came down,” Hill said.
“Then this year it has been a steep rise to the point where I’ve got eight AFLW players in my side and she ranks up there with every one of them.”
Van Dyk attributed her growth from suburban football to the cusp of the AFLW to the success and professionalism of Hawthorn.
“Having everyone else behind me, the coaches’ support, family support really gives me that confidence boost,” Van Dyk said.
“It’s certainly a lot more professional and I think we’ve built a really strong unit.
“Even what we’ve been exposed to, it’s definitely been factored into all the success of the club and the support behind us.”
Hill said Van Dyk loomed as a high pick in the draft.
“My feeling is she’ll go top 10 to 15 in the Victorian draft,” Hill said.
“Anything outside of that would be a bargain for any club.
“If you want a player to come in and play straight away, she’s as good as any of the girls in the draft.”
The AFLW draft will be held on October 23 at Marvel Stadium
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