AFL Women’s draft: Every pick and all the reaction

There was famous names and two twin success stories — and one was left ‘gobsmacked’ after receiving the surprise of her life. Recap all the action from the AFLW draft.

Lauren Wood, Dan Batten, Daniel Cherny and Liz Walsh

11 min read

June 29, 2022 - 10:30PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Every pick from the AFLW draft.

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Jasmine Fleming kept quiet in the car on the journey to Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.

Little did her former Australian cricketer father Damien and elite netballer mother Wendy know, Fleming’s status as the top Victorian pick and the first-ever draft pick for Hawthorn was all but sealed for a long-awaited “Covid normal” AFLW draft.

RE-CAP ALL THE DRAMA AND EVERY PICK BELOW

The draft has been held online for the last two seasons, but the entire Fleming family — including Jasmine’s two younger siblings — were on hand with their emotion the cherry on top on the biggest night of her sporting life.

“I kept it really quiet and didn’t tell the family, so it was nice to see their reaction,” she said.

“(The Hawks) were nice enough to tell me before – I’m a nervous wreck, so that was really good. I don’t show it, but it was really nice to know and to see some of my best friends that have been picked up, it was really fun.

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Fleming is now a Hawk. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Jasmine Fleming celebrates with father Damien after being dradted. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I’m actually pretty good at keeping secrets, but I was doing a lot of interviews, so I didn’t want it to spill out.

“So if I didn’t tell anyone, it kept me in the zone. Also what went through my head was a bit of … you’re never too sure. At that moment when your name gets out, it kind of hits you.

“My little sister and brother (finding out on the night) made it that little bit more special.”

Damien Fleming couldn’t hide his pride.

After a sporting career that spanned the globe with an international bowling career that included World Cups and Ashes series, being on hand as Jasmine’s dad as she forges her own path will go down as one of his proudest moments — especially given the family’s fanaticism for the Hawks.

“Being Hawthorn supporters, brainwashing isn’t good but when it comes to AFL clubs it’s OK,” he laughed.

“And so all the kids went for Hawthorn and funnily enough, Wendy followed her brother, Gary (O’Donnell) at the Bombers but barracked for Hawthorn as a kid so it was easy to get her back. But just absolutely thrilled.

”You just want them to stake their own claim. To think it’s less than 10 years and we’ve got these numbers and they’re semi-professional is unbelievable but very happy from now on to be known as Jasmine’s father.”

Father’s legacy fuelling No.1 pick

AFL Women’s number one pick Montana Ham says the legacy of her late father will continue to fuel her football journey as she prepares for the biggest move of her life.

Ham, 18, lost her father Roy seven years ago but said he had taught her everything she knew on her way to becoming the competition’s newest top draft pick and the Swans’ first-ever draft selection.

The teenager, who delivered a blistering season for the Western Jets and Vic Metro to be considered a standout choice for the top selection, nominated New South Wales as her destination of choice and will split her time between finishing Year 12 and her AFLW dream.

But she knows her dad will be there with her every step of the way.

“He would be over the moon and super proud,” Ham said.

“I can see him out in the crowd and see his face (in my mind) – he’d be lighting up.

“He was a huge influence when it came to my footy. He taught me everything.”

Ham said that “the basis of footy was always there for me whenever I needed”, and that she considered Roy her “number one supporter”.

Number 1 pick Montana Ham with mother Sharyn and step-father Graeme. Picture: Getty Images

“I know that he’d be looking over me super proud. To do it for him is something that I’m really grateful,” she said.

“He’d be alright with the Swans (being my team) – he’d just be more happy that my dream has come true.”

Ham will finish her schooling at her college in Keilor as her AFLW career kicks into gear, and plans to be in the classroom during the week before heading to Sydney on weekends to train and play.

She said being picked at No. 1 was “a flood of emotions” after grappling with the decision to nominate New South Wales over her home state of Victoria, but the lifestyle and hopes of studying at the University of Technology Sydney in coming years.

“I’ve been up there for a few holidays, and it’s a great place,” she said.

“I love the fact that the city is on the water. The water’s a big part of who I was growing up – I always went down to the coast for surfing.

“Being able to live 20 minutes from the beach is something I’m really looking forward to.

“Mum’s going to stay here. It’s a bit daunting (to move away) – a new challenge for me but I have a lot of good people around me and a good support network. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

9:46PM DRAFT OVER

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for joining our live coverage of the AFLW draft.

There was no shortage of storylines — none more heartwarming than Zoe Wakfer turning from support crew to AFLW player.

We also saw a crosscoder join the AFLW ranks in former Melbourne Stars player Georgia Gall.

There will be plenty of analysis and reaction to come from the draft so stay tuned!

PICK 87 GWS - PASS

PICK 86 GWS - TESS CATTLE

Ainslie

END OF ROUND 7

PICK 85 FREMANTLE - TAHLIA REID

Maribyrnong Park

PICK 84 GWS - CAMBRIDGE MCCORMICK

Eastlake

END OF ROUND 6

PICK 83 FREMANTLE – AMY MULHOLLAND

Subiaco

PICK 82 GWS - JODIE HICKS

Macquarie University

PICK 81 ST KILDA - CAITLIN MATTHEWS

Oakleigh Chargers

END OF ROUND 5

PICK 80 PORT ADELAIDE - LILY JOHNSON

West Adelaide

PICK 79 MELBOURNE - PASS

PICK 78 BRISBANE - KIARA HILLIER

Maroochydore

PICK 77 FREMANTLE - MEGAN KAUFFMAN

PICK 76 COLLINGWOOD - PASS

PICK 75 GWS - MADISON BRAZENDALE

Tasmania Devils

PICK 74 ST KILDA - DEANNA JOLLIFFE

Southern Saints

END OF ROUND 4

PICK 73 GEELONG - ASH VAN LOON

PICK 72 MELBOURNE - GEORGIA GALL

Euroa

PICK 71 ADELAIDE - MCKENZIE DOWRICK

Dowrick becomes a three-club player, having played for the Eagles and Brisbane previously.

PICK 70 BRISBANE - CHARLOTTE MULLINS

Lions Academy/Aspley

PICK 69 ADELAIDE - KIERA MUELLER

Sturt

PICK 68 WESTERN BULLDOGS - BROOKE VERNON

Carlton AFLW

The Dpgs have swooped on the delisted Blue, who was a late axing from their list.

PICK 67 CARLTON - JESSICA JONES

North Melbourne VFLW

One of the oldest players taken in this draft, Jones is a 30-year-old key defender who can make an impact right away for the Blues.

PICK 66 GWS - MEGHAN GAFFNEY

Tasmania Devils

PICK 65 GOLD COAST - PASS

PICK 64 GWS- FLEUR DAVIES

Southport/Suns Academy

The Suns Academy product is off to the Giants. At the draft, Davies was made to wait but her AFLW dream has been achieved.

END OF ROUND 3

PICK 63 ST KILDA - HANNAH STUART

Southern Saints

PICK 62 ESSENDON - AMELIA RADFORD

Essendon VFLW

PICK 61 PORT ADELAIDE - AMELIE BORG

North Adelaide

PICK 60 RICHMOND — KATELYN COX

Hawthorn

PICK 59 FREMANTLE - TARA STRIBLEY

Swan Districts

PICK 58 RICHMOND - EILISH SHEERIN

Inner West Magpies

PICK 57 BRISBANE - DEE HESLOP

Gold Coast

Dee Heslop (right) is now a Lion. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

PICK 56 COLLINGWOOD - CASSIDY BLAIR

Dandenong Stignrays

PICK 55 GEELONG - ABBEY MCDONALD

Calder Cannons

PICK 54 GEELONG - CASSIDY MAILER

Murray Bushrangers

PICK 53 WEST COAST - MIKAYLA WESTERN

Claremont

PICK 52 GOLD COAST - JASMYN SMITH

Bond University

PICK 51 NORTH MELBOURNE - GRACE MATSER

Bass Cpast

PICK 50 NORTH MELBOURNE - CHARLI GRANVILLE

Hawthorn VFLW

Classy small forward? Check âœ…

The goals at Arden Street are in serious danger from Charli Granville ðŸ˜‰
— North Melbourne Women's (@NorthMelbourneW) June 29, 2022

PICK 49 MELBOURNE - SAMANTHA JOHNSON

Casey Demons

END OF SECOND ROUND

PICK 48 CARLTON - LILY GOSS

Carlton VFLW

PICK 47 WEST COAST - JAIDE BRITTON

Peel Thunder

PICK 46 ESSENDON - MIA BAN DYKE

Geelong Falcons

PICK 45 PORT ADELAIDE - YASMIN DUURSMA

Gippsland Power

Yasmin Duursma joins her brother Xavier at the Power. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

PICK 44 MELBOURNE - MAEVE CHAPLIN

Casey Demons

PICK 43 WEST COAST - EMILY ELKINGTON

PICK 42 GEELONG - BROOKE PLUMMER

Northern Knights

PICK 41 BRISBANE - ELLA SMITH

Aspley

PICK 40 ADELAIDE - KEELEY KUSTERMANN

West Adelaide

Welcome to the Club, Keeley ðŸ’™â¤ï¸ðŸ’›#weflyasone https://t.co/pI3SeuhD1E
— Adelaide Crows AFLW (@CrowsAFLW) June 29, 2022

PICK 39 NORTH MELBOURNE - SOPHIA MCCARTHY

Williamstown

PICK 38 RICHMOND - CHARLEY RYAN

Dandenong Stingrays

PICK 37 WESTERN BULLDOGS - HEIDI WOODLEY

Calder Cannons

END OF FIRST ROUND

PICK 36 WEST COAST - ZOE WAKFER

South Fremantle/Western Australia

What a moment! Zoe Wakfer was at the draft to support her sister, and she has been left stunned as the Eagles picked her up with the final pick of the first round — not even wearing a club polo!

“I was a bit gobsmacked to be honest,” she said.

Zoe Wafker was at Marvel Stadium to support her twin Lauren... and then the Eagles picked her in a massive surprise!

This is honestly amazing â¤ï¸#AFLWDraft | #AFLW pic.twitter.com/lnuhML0IXo
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) June 29, 2022

Zoe Wakfer was stunned after being taken. Picture: Getty Images

Lauren Wakfer (L) and her twin sister Zoe Wakfer. Zoe was given the surprise of her life as she was taken with the final pick of the first round. Picture: Getty Images

PICK 35 ESSENDON - MIA BUSCH

Eastern Ranges

PICK 34 GOLD COAST - CLARE RANSOM

Tasmania Devils

Tassie's own Claire Ransom follows Cam Joyce up to the Suns!#AFLWDraft | #AFLW pic.twitter.com/473oreYplu
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) June 29, 2022

PICK 33 GEELONG - MIA SKINNER

Geelong VFLW

PICK 32 - ESSENDON - STEPHANIE WALES

Her twin sister joined Hawthorn earlier and now Stephanie becomes a Bomber.

PICK 31 PORT ADELAIDE - ELLA BOAIG

PICK 30 COLLINGWOOD - CHARLOTTE TAYLOR

Oakleigh Chargers

PICK 29 WESTERN BULLDOGS - KEELY COYNE

Sandringham Dragons

PICK 28 NORTH MELBOURNE - TAYLAH GATT

Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

PICK 27 FREMANTLE - MADELEINE SCANLON

Claremont/Western Australia

PICK 26 HAWTHORN - LAURA ELLIOTT

Western Jets/Vic Metro

PICK 25 HAWTHORN - EMILY EVERIST

Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country

PICK 24 WEST COAST - ABBYGAIL BUSHBY

Swan Districts/Western Australia

PICK 23 PORT ADELAIDE - SACHI SYME

Norwood/South Australia

PICK 22 HAWTHORN - LUCY WALES

Casey Demons/VFLW

A massive bolter, with Wales not even on a a VFLW list at the start of the year.

PICK 21 WESTERN BULLDOGS - RYLIE WILCOX

Northern Knights

Looms as a potential steal of this draft for the Western Bulldogs having being touted as a top-10 selection.

Rylie Wilcox, Fleur Davies, Jasmine Fleming and Amber Clarke. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

PICK 20 GWS - ZARLIE GOLDSWORTHY

Allies/NSW-ACT/Murray Bushrangers/Lavington

LAUREN SAYS: Border talent who nominated New South Wales as her destination of choice. A member of the AFLW Academy who has a strong soccer pedigree as a former young Matilda that has switched her hand to football seamlessly. A strong and physical inside midfielder who brings plenty of grunt.

PICK 19 GOLD COAST - ALANA GEE

Southport WFC

Gee was rated as the top Queensland prospect in the pool and the midfielder has been plucked from the Suns’ Academy.

PICK 18 CARLTON - MIA AUSTIN

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

A great marking target up forward who will help bolster Carlton’s forward stocks.

PICK 17 CARLTON - KEELEY SKEPPER

Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

PICK 16 ST KILDA -.J’NOEMI ANDERSON

St Mary’s/Northern Territory

LAUREN WOOD SAYS: Has strong contested ability and is particularly strong overhead, making her an asset both the midfield and up forward. Made a big impact in the NT last year, winning the rising star award and has been on the radar of a number of clubs in recent years. Younger sister of North Melbourne player Jed Anderson, with two other siblings having also played AFL.

J’Noemi Anderson is the sistter of North Melbourne’s Jed. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

PICK 15 WEST COAST - LAUREN WAKFER

South Fremantle/WA

The ruck will be sidelined for her entire first season with an ACL injury suffered a few weeks before the draft but she shapes as a talented prospect with high upside.

PICK 14 WEST COAST - ELLA ROBERTS

Peel Thunder/WA

She may be the best talent in the draft and West Coast have been able to snare her with pick 14, the first WA selection of the draft.

LAUREN WOOD SAYS: Widely regarded as the best player in this year’s draft pool, Roberts is capable of playing both as a tall forward and a midfielder. Athletic and dynamic, Roberts should provide a huge help to struggling West Coast after nominating to remain in WA despite interest from elsewhere.

Ella Roberts has been taken by the Eagles. Picture: Getty Images

PICK 13 SYDNEY - ALICE MITCHELL

Gunnedah and District Bulldogs AFC

PICK 12 SYDNEY - MONTANA BERULDEN

Hawthorn VFLW

PICK 11 SYDNEY - CYNTHIA HAMILTON

Allies/NSW-ACT/GWS Giants Academy/Queanbeyan

LAUREN SAYS: The Canberra product is an excellent ball user and will be a welcome addition to Sydney’s first AFLW squad after nominating for the NSW draft pool. The younger sister of Lexi Hamilton, who recently moved from North Melbourne to the Swans.

PICK 10 HAWTHORN - BRIDIE HIPWELL

Old Brighton Grammarians

PICK 9 HAWTHORN - CHARLOTTE BASKARAN

Vic Metro/Western Jets/Aberfeldie

A good get for Hawthorn, with Baskaran in the mix to be taken earlier in the piece.

LAUREN SAYS: Premiership-winning midfielder who has a number of strings to her bow with leadership capabilities beyond her years, named skipper of the NAB League team of the year. Finished runner-up in the league best and fairest award and is noted for her composure and cleanliness with the footy.

PICK 8 ESSENDON - PAIGE SCOTT

GWV Rebels

The powerful forward is the first bolter of the draft so far.

How good!?!

When Paige found out she became a Don. pic.twitter.com/tB4QQt12z3
— Essendon FCW (@essendonfcw) June 29, 2022

PICK 7 PORT ADELAIDE - SARAH GOODWIN

South Australia/Glenelg/Goodwood Saints

LAUREN SAYS: A rebounding defender and winger, Goodwin is among the more creative players in this year’s draft pool with the ability to provide plenty of run.

PICK 6 HAWTHORN - HANNAH EWINGS

SA/North Adelaide/SMOSH West Lakes/Roopena-Whyalla

LAUREN WOOD SAYS: The Mornington Peninsula product has been noted for her marking ability with her versatility in defence a key plus. Was named as an All-Australian after a promising Vic Country campaign and has height on her side at 183cm.

PICK 5 SYDNEY - SOFIA HURLEY

Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons/Port Melbourne

LAUREN WOOD SAYS: Outstanding athletically, Hurley is a midfielder with neat skills. Like Montana Ham, Hurley opted to nominate for the NSW zone. She was named on the interchange bench of the All-Australian team.

PICK 4 ESSENDON - AMBER CLARKE

Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays/Narre North Foxes

This pick was set to shape the draft and the Bombers have pulled the first surprise of the night in taking excitement machine Clarke.

PICK 3 PORT ADELAIDE - HANNAH EWINGS

SA/North Adelaide/SMOSH West Lakes/Roopena-Whyalla

LAUREN WOOD SAYS: An inside-midfielder who’s this year not only enjoyed a SANFLW premiership with the Roosters, but an exceptional Under-18s national championships, where she kicked five goals in three games and earnt one best-on-ground accolade. Has an excellent kick, strong hands, and has been labelled “a Dustin Martin-type who can play on-ball and then go forward and hit the scoreboard” by the SANFLW’s talent manager, Robbie Neill. Sure to make an immediate impact.

PICK 2 HAWTHORN - JASMINE FLEMING

Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers/Ashburton

LAUREN WOOD SAYS: An athletic and speedy midfielder who can be damaging with ball in hand, Fleming is one of the standout Victorians in this year’s draft crop. Also a gun cricketer, she has elite sporting pedigree as the daughter of Test cricketer Damien Fleming and former netball Wendy O’Donnell.

Jas Fleming grew up as a Hawthorn supporter and now she gets to join the club she has always loved!#AFLWDraft #AFLW pic.twitter.com/vIr1rGRgZd
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) June 29, 2022

PICK 1 SYDNEY - MONTANA HAM

Vic Metro/Western Jets/Keilor

No surprises here with Montana Ham becoming the top pick of the 2022 draft class.

LAUREN WOOD SAYS: Ham is considered a class above in the midfield, recently claiming the Australian Under 18s best player award against the All-Stars to only further stamp her papers. She was spotted in her early teenage years and was training with Under 18 players at just 13 years of age, with a full pathway at the Western Jets.

Not too many dry eyes in the house for this one â¤ï¸

Meet Montana Ham, the first pick in the 2022 @NAB #AFLWDraft pic.twitter.com/pX66I1g6Za
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) June 29, 2022

7:24pm DAUGHTER OF A GREAT

One of the big names to watch is Jasmine Fleming, the daughter of cricketing great Damien.

Fleming was also a talented cricketer but chose the Sherrin over the Kookaburra and looms as one of the top prospects available in this year’s draft.

The Fleming family with Jasmine (middle). Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

7:19pm WHO WILL GO NUMBER ONE?

Western Jets midfielder Montana Ham is the highly touted No.1 pick for the Swans, after the Victorian surprised by nomianting New South Wales as her drafted state.