Brooke Plummer overcomes early-season injuries to charge into AFLW Draft frame
Northern Knights talent and Diamond Creek Women’s junior Brooke Plummer overcame plenty this season and hopes to take the next step to the AFLW.
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If Brooke Plummer’s year has taught her anything it’s resilience.
And the Northern Knights talent hopes her perseverance is rewarded at Wednesday night’s AFLW Draft.
Knee and shoulder injuries threatened to derail the 17-year-old’s season, limiting her to six NAB League appearances.
However, her potential was recognised with three Under-18 National Championship appearances for Vic Metro and she was named vice-captain in the final round loss to South Australia.
Plummer’s dash and line-breaking off half-back and on a wing has certainly caught the eye of recruiters.
After a difficult start to the campaign, the Diamond Creek Women’s junior said it had also delivered a number of lessons.
“I had quite a few injuries throughout the season, which isn’t ideal in a draft year, but I learnt a lot about myself,” Plummer said.
“Especially my resilience, if you get knocked down make sure you get back up and keep trying your heart out.
“It will just a thrill to play the game I love and have support around me.
“Through the Knights season I thought I performed well when I was on the field.
“Coming back from injury was hard but I had amazing staff around me, all the physios were amazing and got me back to playing.
“I was lucky enough to be a vice-captain under Mon Ham in the last round, the indigenous round, so that was my biggest highlight this year.”
The 165cm dashing defender averaged 13 disposals, four marks and 1.5 marks in seven NAB League appearances and nine disposals in three Vic Metro outings.
Three VFLW matches for Carlton followed, making an impressive transition to senior football – averaging 13 disposals, 3.3 marks and 1.5 tackles.
A 15-disposal, four-mark performance against eventual grand finalist Southern Sharks an indication of AFLW potential.
Plummer trained with Essendon’s development program during the pre-season and said her time with the Bombers and Blues had been critical.
“Getting to train with the (Essendon) girls a few times and now to see how they’re going is amazing, knowing I was a small part of that at the start of the year,” she said.
“Coming to Carlton, the culture down there, what the team have built, it was like home for me.
“It was awesome to see the way the girls got around each other and lead each other on and off the field.
“I leant so much about being in the backline and getting the best out of myself.”
Plummer has also played three matches for Diamond Creek Women’s in the Northern Football League, helping the club to top spot on the Division 1 ladder.
Her run-and-carry is a major weapon that has her predicted to be drafted in the second or third round.
Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs have been touted as possible draft destinations.
Diamond Creek Women’s and the Northern Knights have a strong history with the Western Bulldogs but Plummer will obviously be rapt to get an opportunity at any club.
“There’s a few past Knights players there and Kirsty Lamb was at Diamo and then went to the Bulldogs.
“Gab Newton was on the coaching panel this year and played Knights and Jess Fitzgerald I got to play with and train with in my bottom-age year.”
“I’m a bit nervous but really excited and just ready to get started.”
With the new AFLW season set to kick off in August, the Montmorency Secondary College student will have to juggle football and Year 12 studies.
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However, she believes she’s got a strong support network to allow her to succeed.
“I’m currently doing VCAL, which has been really good for me, it’s given me a lot of balance,” Plummer said.
“I’m used to juggling things, I’ve got a pretty busy lifestyle, I’ve got good support around me and I like to plan out my week, which helps.”
The AFLW Draft is on Wednesday, June 29, from 7pm.
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