Diamond Creek’s Tanya Hetherington snapped up by Greater Western Sydney in AFLW draft

Diamond Creek co-captain Tanya Hetherington’s leadership and determination have been rewarded after she was drafted by Greater Western Sydney.

Tanya Hetherington takes a mark for Diamond Creek. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Diamond Creek co-captain Tanya Hetherington’s leadership and determination have been rewarded after she was drafted by Greater Western Sydney.

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A veteran of more than 150 games for the Creekers, Hetherington fought back from a knee reconstruction in 2015 to be taken with pick 17.

The key defender was one of three from Diamond Creek taken in the AFLW draft, with Chloe Molloy headed to Collingwood and Reni Hicks off to Carlton.

Hetherington took up coaching duties during her recovery from the knee injury and her direction will be crucial in a young Giants backline, according to Creekers coach Scott Gowans.

“Her leadership is outstanding and in speaking to (GWS recruiters) that is something they had in mind,” Gowans said.

“The dedication to come back from the knee reconstruction and work really hard to get fit and find good footy form was really impressive this year.”

Gowans also said Hetherington’s ability to take feedback on board and use it would translate strongly to AFLW.

“After she came back I brought a few things to her that she really took on board. She’s very coachable, which I think will help her at a higher level,” he said.

Reni Hicks was picked up by Carlton. Picture:Andy Brownbill

The fact Hicks was snapped up was testament to her desperation, Gowans said, with the 164cm defender rarely beaten in one-on-one contests.

A former rugby player, she was taken with pick 29 and is likely to be earmarked with shutting down opposition forwards.

“(Hicks) will be able to slot into any team and she is just never beaten in a contest,” Gowans said.

“She doesn’t say much but she works really hard and is a good example that hard work pays off and others will follow her.

“She’s one of those players who lifts the culture of the place.”

Two Diamond Creek players unlucky to miss out on selection in the draft were forward Sophie Abbatangelo and midfielder Ashleigh Riddell, Gowans expecting the pair to gain an opportunity in coming years with the expansion of the AFLW if they aren’t selected in Friday’s rookie draft.