Collingwood recruit Nicole Stevens says women’s game will get bigger and bigger

NICOLA Stevens predicts an explosion in the growth of the women’s game after being taken in the opening round of the AFL Women’s Draft. SEE EVERY PICK

Collingwood recruit Nicola Stevens in action for Melbourne university. Picture: Chris Eastman

COLLINGWOOD recruit Nicola Stevens has predicted an explosion in the growth of the women’s game after earning her place in the opening round of the AFL Women’s Draft.

Selected at pick No.6 by the Magpies, Stevens admitted to be overwhelmed by the attention as the women’s game took centre stage with its first national draft ahead of next year’s inaugural league.

The 23-year-old defender, who was recruited from Melbourne University, was confident the women’s game would take off next year.

SEE EVERY PICK FROM THE INAUGURAL AFL WOMEN’S DRAFT BELOW

“I think the (women’s game) is just going to go on and on and on, it’s just going to get bigger and bigger from here,’’ Stevens said.

“It’s really good to be able to start here and just use it as a stepping stone just for the future. It’s going to be awesome.

“I think with the last exhibition match everyone got a little bit of a taste of what it’s going to be like and we’re trialling the new rules as well which is great.

Collingwood recruit Nicola Stevens (left) with fellow draftees Emily Bates (Brisbane), Bianca Jakobsson (Carlton), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Jaimee Lambert (Western Bulldogs), Nicola Barr (GWS), Hayley Miller (Fremantle) and Elise O’Dea (Melbourne). Picture: Tim Carrafa

“It’s going to be a fast game, it’s going to be skilful and hopefully see a lot of one on one contests and a lot of scoring happening on the board.’’

Despite protests over the AFL’s women’s pay offer, Stevens said the players were aware of “where they were starting”.

“It’s important that we are aware of where we are starting and it’s not going to start as a huge amount and we are all starting off here and the amount we are getting now we are being rewarded for our efforts,’’ Stevens said.

“I’m assuming that once we get all the attention that we get then it might get better in the future, but it’s a good place to start.’’

Stevens, who is described as a medium-sized defender with the ability to intercept mark, was thrilled at the prospect of joining one of the biggest sporting clubs in the country.

“It’s absolutely incredible, I think they really are the benchmark in sport in Melbourne and it’s really good to be able to have access to the facilities that they have and share that same space as the men and the women,’’ Stevens said.

Stevens was recruited from Melbourne University. Picture: Chris Eastman

“It’s very overwhelming and I think a lot of the girls are in a similar position at the moment. But I think once we get started and we ease ito it a little bit then we are around the right people and we’ve got the right support around us to help us along the way.’’

Midfielder Elise O’Dea reaped the rewards of her life-changing decision to leave Canberra for Melbourne three years ago to further her football career when she was selected in the first round by the Demons.

Taken at pick No.8, O’Dea joined a string of Darebin Falcons, the women’s VFL premiers, at the Demons in a bumper draft day for her former club.

“I did not expect my name to be read out that soon, that’s for sure,’’ said O’Dea, who described herself as a long-time supporter of the Demons.

“I thought my dream was to just get picked up and put on an AFL list and then to have my name read out by Debbie Lee who is a pioneer of the AFL women’s game it was pretty spine tingling, it was a great moment.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind week or so buy a house and then getting picked up in the draft.’’

Absolutely stoked to be playing for the @CollingwoodFC next season!!! Can not wait for the season to start!!! #aflwdraft #sidebyside

— Jessica Cameron (@Jess_cameron27) October 12, 2016

AFL WOMEN’S DRAFT

ADELAIDE

1 Ebony Marinoff

10 Heather Anderson

23 Jenna McCormick

26 Deni Varnhagen

39 Sally Riley

42 Georgia Bevan

55 Sophie Armitstead

58 Talia Radan

71 Rachael Killian

74 Rhiannon Metcalfe

87 Anne Hatchard

90 Tayla Thorn

103 Abbey Holmes

106 Stevie-Lee Thompson

119 Jessica Sedunary

122 Sarah Allan

133 Justine Mules

136 Monique Hollick

BRISBANE LIONS

2 Emily Bates

15 Tahlia Randall

18 Nicole Hildebrand

31 Leah Kaslar

34 Jessica Wuetschner

47 Alexandra Anderson

50 Breanna Koenen

63 Megan Hunt

66 Samantha Virgo

79 Kate Lutkins

82 Kate Mccarthy

95 Shaleise Law

98 Selina Goodman

111 Sharni Webb

114 Nikki Wallace

127 Jamie Stanton

128 Jade Ransfield

141 Brittany Gibson

CARLTON

3 Bianca Jakobsson

14 Katherine Gillespie-Jones

19 Sarah Hosking

30 Gabriella Pound

35 Danielle Hardiman

46 Shae Audley

51 Isabella Ayre

62 Lauren Brazzale

67 Breann Moody

78 Jess Hosking

83 Natalie Plane

94 Sarah Last

99 Tilly Lucas-Rodd

110 Katie Loynes

115 Madeline Keryk

126 Kate Darby

129 Alison Downie

140 Laura Attard

142 Rebecca Privitelli

COLLINGWOOD

6 Nicola Stevens

11 Stephanie Chiocci

22 Sarah D’Arcy

27 Brittany Bonnici

38 Bree White

43 Caitlyn Edwards

54 Alicia Eva

59 Amelia Barden

70 Stacey Livingstone

75 Jessica Cameron

86 Jasmine Garner

91 Emma Grant

102 Penny Cula-Reid

107 Lauren Tesoriero

118 Melissa Kuys

123 Cecilia Mcintosh

132 Christina Bernardi

137 Ruby Schleicher

144 Tara Morgan

FREMANTLE

4 Hayley Miller

13 Brianna Green

20 Ashley Sharp

29 Lara Filocamo

36 Tiah Haynes

45 Kira Phillips

52 Tayla Bresland

61 Amy Lavell

68 Stacey Barr

77 Melissa Caulfield

84 Cassie Davidson

93 Taylah Angel

100 Belinda Smith

109 Stephanie Cain

116 Kelly Clinch

125 Demi Okely

130 Dana Hooker

139 Akec Makur Chuot

GWS GIANTS

1 Nicola Barr

16 Ashleigh Guest

17 Aimee Schmidt

32 Rebecca Beeson

33 Kate Stanton

48 Erin Mckinnon

49 Thi Thanh Mai Nguyen

64 Amanda Farrugia

65 Jacinda Barclay

80 Britt Tully

81 Kristy De Pellegrini

96 Renee Tomkins

97 Clare Lawton

112 Ella Ross

113 Stephanie Walker

MELBOURNE

8 Elise O’Dea

9 Deanna Berry

24 Richelle Cranston

25 Lauren Pearce

40 Alyssa Mifsud

41 Shelley Scott

56 Katherine Smith

57 Emma Humphries

72 Stephanie De Bortoli

73 Lily Mithen

88 Ainslie Kemp

89 Mia-Rae Clifford

104 Brooke Howells

105 Jessica Anderson

120 Madeleine Boyd

121 Pepa Randall

134 Sarah Lampard

135 Jasmine Grierson

145 Sarah Jolly

WESTERN BULLDOGS

5 Jaimee Lambert

12 Aasta O’Connor

21 Hannah Scott

28 Kirsten Mcleod

37 Kimberley Ebb

44 Hayley Wildes

53 Brooke Lochland

60 Bailey Hunt

69 Ellyse Gamble

76 Lauren Spark

85 Nicole Callinan

92 Lisa Williams

101 Lauren Morecroft

108 Tiarna Ernst

117 Kate Tyndall

124 Courtney Clarkson

131 Jess Gardner

138 Kirsty Lamb

143 Laura Bailey