AFLW Draft 2022: Amber Clarke and Mackenzie Eardley drafted by Essendon and Hawthorn

Victorian Country players feature prominently in AFLW draft. Our list reveals where the best regional players are headed.

AFLW expansion clubs Essendon and Hawthorn have used high picks in the national draft on some of Victorian Country’s most talented female players.

The Bombers used their top selection, No. 4 overall, to select Amber Clarke from Narre North Foxes, who won the NAB League Girls best and fairest this year playing for Dandenong Stingrays.

Carisbrook’s Paige Scott was also taken by the Bombers with a top-10 pick and Essendon used later selections on Geelong Falcons duo Mia Van Dyke and Ashleigh Van Loon.

Another Stingrays players, Mackenzie Eardley, is headed to Hawthorn after being taken with the No. 6 pick.

Joining Eardley at the Hawks will be Golden Square’s Emily Everist, who previously played soccer before making the switch to women’s football.

ALL THE VIC COUNTRY PICKS

Amber Clarke has been drafted by Essendon, which will play in the AFLW competition for the first time next season. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

4. Essendon: Amber Clarke (Narre North Foxes, Dandenong Stingrays)

Clarke is off to the Bombers after winning this year’s NAB League Girls best and fairest, with the 169cm forward also kicking 18 goals and averaging 17 disposals.

Mackenzie Eardley and Hawthorn recruit Kaitlyn Ashmore. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

6. Hawthorn: Mackenzie Eardley (Beleura, Dandenong Stingrays)

Eardley was picked up by the Hawks after a big year with the Stingrays where she averaged 14.1 disposals, four rebound 50s and 3.3 marks in her co-captain role.

Paige Scott in action for Geelong VFLW. Picture: Mark Wilson

8. Essendon: Paige Scott (Carisbrook, Greater Western Victoria Rebels)

Scott is a forward who can rotate through the midfield for one of AFLW’s newest teams.

She regularly uses her speed to break away from rival players and hit the scoreboard.

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— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) June 29, 2022

Keeley Skepper and Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

17. Carlton: Keeley Skepper (Wodonga, Murray Bushrangers)

A prolific ball-winning midfielder, Skepper was taken with the Blues’ first selection in the draft. “She’s an impressive kick and has great football smarts, proving herself in the national championships by winning the medal for best player for Vic Country,” Blues General Manager of Women’s Football Brett Munro said.

Zarlie Goldsworthy has been drafted by GWS. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

20. Greater Western Sydney: Zarlie Goldsworthy (Thurgoona, Murray Bushrangers)

Goldsworthy, a midfielder-forward, is off to the Giants after also making a successful switch of codes from soccer. GWS recruiters were delighted she chose to nominate NSW as her state of choice and are confident her athleticism and power through the midfield will come to the fore.

25. Hawthorn: Emily Everist (Golden Square Bendigo Pioneers)

The former soccer player who also played with Essendon VFL side has joined the Hawks after taking her game to another level in 2022. Everist is an athletic defender with serious endurance running ability.

Taylah Gatt playing for Dandenong Stingrays. Picture: Valeriu Campan

28. North Melbourne: Taylah Gatt (Beleura, Dandenong Stingrays)

Kangaroos recruiters are excited about Gatt coming on board, confident she can replicate her line breaking abilities she has displayed in junior ranks to the top level where she represented Vic Country this year.

Yasmin Duursma will join brother Xavier at Port Adelaide. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

45. Port Adelaide: Yasmin Duursma (Foster, Gippsland Power)

Duursma has been granted her wish to be reunited with brother Xavier at Port Adelaide. Her selection follows a breakout performance at the under-18 national championships for Victoria Country where she collected 22 possessions, five marks and four tackles in a truly standout performance.

Geelong Falcons player Mia Van Dyke is off to Essendon. Picture: Mike Dugdale

46. Essendon: Mia Van Dyke (St Joseph’s, Geelong Falcons)

Van Dyke had a top-10 finish in the Falcons’ best-and-fairest this season following a switch to defence. She also caught the attention of recruiters in games with Geelong’s VFLW team.

Grace Matser in action for Collingwood VFLW team this year. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

51. North Melbourne: Grace Matser (Bass Coast, Collingwood VFLW)

Matser played in the ruck for the Magpies VFLW side as a 19-year-old this year and the Kangaroos are confident her exposure at senior level will fast track her development and give the team greater ruck depth.

54. North Melbourne: Cassidy Mailer (Benalla, Murray Bushrangers)

Mailer fought back from a tough run with injuries in recent seasons to be drafted by the Kangaroos. She has played at both ends of the ground for the Murray Bushrangers and given a clear run at playing on a more regular basis could prove to be a shrewd pick up.

Georgia Gall has made the switch from cricket to AFLW draftee. Picture: Alan Barber

72. Melbourne: Georgia Gall (Euroa)

Gall made the switch from cricket where she represented Australia at under-age level as a fast bowler and also played for Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. She began playing football at Geelong Grammar and finds herself on an AFLW list.

Ashleigh Van Loon in action for the Geelong Falcons. (Photo by Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos)

73. Essendon: Ashleigh Van Loon (St Mary’s, Geelong)

Van Loon has been picked up by the expansion club despite a frustrating run with injuries this year. She has played only six NAB League Girls games due to a knee injury before an ankle setback late in the season.