Jordann Hickey becomes the first Centralian to be selected in the AFLW draft

Alice Springs footballer Jordann Hickey has made history, becoming the first Centralian to make it to the AFLW.

Alice Springs’ Jordann Hickey has been selected with pick 31 by Melbourne in the AFLW draft. Picture: CHARLIE LOWSON

ALICE Springs footballer Jordann Hickey has made history, becoming the first Centralian to make it to the AFLW.

Melbourne selected the talented forward with pick 31 of this year’s AFLW draft, making her the first Centralian to make her way onto an AFLW list.

Able to nominate for selection by either the Adelaide Crows or a Melbourne-based club, Hickey was snapped up by the Demons after a stellar year for NT Thunder in the VFLW.

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“It was a bit of a shock moment really, I didn’t really know how to react. I definitely have a smile on my face that I can’t wipe off, that’s for sure,” Hickey told the Centralian Advocate.

“Just knowing all my hard work has paid off and I’ve been noticed and picked up, it’s pretty amazing.

“I’m really over the moon with it all. To say that I’ve reached the highest level of my sport is awesome.

“I’ve only been playing for about four or five years but only two years on a full sized field.

“Definitely all the hard work, everything I’ve sacrificed has been worthwhile. Now I just can’t wait to get started really.”

Centralian Jordann Hickey is the first Centralian to earn a spot on an AFLW list, selected by Melbourne with pick 31 in the draft. Picture: CHARLIE LOWSON

Hickey said that becoming the first Centralian to earn a spot on an AFLW list was something she will look back on fondly in time.

A member of the Pinktails Women’s Academy in the Red Centre, Hickey added that Melbourne’s partnership with the NT made it an easy decision to join the Demons ahead of the Crows.

“I know Nicolette (Sissy) Dunn played with the Demons in an exhibition game but being the first Centralian to be drafted into the AFLW is pretty amazing,” she said.

“That’s going to be amazing to look back on when I’m a little older that I was the first Alice Springs girl to be picked up in the draft, that’s going to be something I hold dear to my heart.

“The Pinktails and Redtails academy here (in Alice Springs) have a partnership with the Melbourne Football Club and I really liked that support they offered.

“I saw that pathway through being a part of the Pinktails. The Crows would have been a great pathway to go down as well but I saw this opportunity and to live in Melbourne where I have a lot of close friends and family, I’ll have that support outside of footy.

“That really helped with the decision of where I nominated in the draft.”

Fellow Territorian Danielle Ponter was also picked up in the draft, selected with pick 48 by Adelaide.