Being drafted was an emotional moment for Georgia Hammond and the whole Darebin Falcons family
Hearing her named called out during the AFLW Draft was an emotional time for not just Georgia Hammond but the whole Darebin Falcons family and the new Kangaroo is determined to repay the faith.
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Mel Hickey’s tears on Tuesday night highlighted what a special moment Georgia Hammond being drafted was.
The women’s football great couldn’t contain her emotions when North Melbourne selected her former Darebin teammate with pick No.44 in the AFLW Draft.
For Hammond it only heightened the moment, the culmination of a decade’s hard work.
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Forced to give up playing footy as 12, she returned to the game at 18 with Darebin and despite being overlooked in years past has never given up on the dream of reaching the elite level.
“I’m still trying to take it all in, I was very much shocked when I heard my name called out,” the 28-year-old said.
“Obviously, then Mel Hickey’s response threw an extra spanner in the works, it was extremely emotional, very exciting.
What a wonderful reaction from @melissahickey18 after the news of Georgia Hammond's selection.#OurTimeIsNow #AFLWDraft pic.twitter.com/f9v2blyI14
— North Melbourne AFLW (@NorthAFLW) October 6, 2020
“I’ve known Hickey for quite a few years on and off the field and create a pretty good friendship and it was a very touching response.
“That was definitely a goal of mine at the beginning (of AFLW) and it didn’t work out that way … but it was a dream that I wasn’t prepared to give up on easily.
“I kept pushing through and persisting and now it’s paid off.”
Hammond’s selection continues the Falcons’ rich history of producing AFLW-quality players.
The key forward has played alongside the likes of Hickey, Karen Paxman, Daisy Pearce and Darcy Vescio, while Melbourne’s Lauren Pearce returned for the 2019 VFLW season and won the Lambert–Pearce Medal.
“I’m sure a lot of clubs have a similar culture but it’s a well known factors that make the Falcons so appealing,” Hammond said.
A HUGE congratulations to Georgia Hammond who was drafted to @northaflw with Pick 44 at tonight’s @aflwomen’s draft.
— Darebin Falcons (@DarebinFalcons) October 6, 2020
We know how hard you’ve worked to get to this point. Your Falcons Family is so proud of you. â¤ï¸ðŸ¤ðŸ’™ðŸ¦…#AFLWDraft #FalconsFamily #JoinTheFlight #DarebinFalcons pic.twitter.com/4vWzyTwcPM
“That culture, once you’re a part of it – we say ‘once a Falcon, always a Falcon’ – you’re a part of the family.”
However, the focus will now turn to North Melbourne.
Hammond trained with the Kangaroos during the 2020 pre-season and impressed the coaching staff with her work ethic and dedication.
It was enough for them to draft her.
“We were really impressed with her form through our AFL Train-On program last year, and she was due to play for our VFLW side this season after a strong season with Darebin,” North’s list and performance manager Rhys Harwood told the club website.
Hammond is now looking to repay the faith.
“I was going to follow on and have a go with the North Melbourne VFLW this season but obviously that all fell through with COVID,” she said.
“It’s been a long year without any footy, so hopefully COVID packs its bags and we can get into it.”