The 2017 AFL Women’s Draft will be held on Wednesday, October 18.
Crows Sarah Perkins, Georgia Bevan and Justine Mules recall their mixed draft day experiences.
Sarah Perkins was overlooked in last year’s AFL Women’s Draft. Perkins, who went on to win a premiership with the Crows and earn All Australian selection, was given an opportunity by the Club as a free agent …
“I would’ve been happy just to be drafted by any club, and to have known that someone believed in me as much as I believed in myself leading up to the draft.
“As everyone was being drafted one by one, (I was) trying to work out where I’d fit in a club … and who I was competing with for a spot on that list.
“Towards the end I think in my head I kind of knew that I wasn’t going to get drafted.
“I was obviously very emotional, knowing that I’d worked so hard. I got up, I walked out and left the room in tears. I had (Melbourne captain) Daisy Pearce come up, give me a hug, and just say to keep believing in myself and that it would happen if it was supposed to happen.
“I got a phone call from the Crows, and they offered to have a bit of a chat. I guess my emotions changed pretty quickly and I realised my dreams were still alive. I felt at home as soon as I walked into the Adelaide Football Club. I felt like I could belong and did belong.”
Excerpt from ‘Heroes’ documentary
Morphettville Park premiership player Georgia Bevan’s draft experience was the emotional opposite. Bevan was the sixth player drafted by the Crows, selected at No.42 overall …
“Draft day was a day full of nerves. It seemed to drag on until finally it was time to start calling out names. I watched the draft at home on my laptop with (partner) Ryan.
“It felt like forever between every Crows’ pick. Ryan filmed each pick just in case. When my name finally called out I remember just feeling relieved and, surprisingly, I teared up. I couldn't believe that all the hard work I had put in had finally come to fruition, particularly for a club I grew up supporting.
“To finally be able to play sport at the highest level and a sport I loved was an incredibly surreal feeling. The hours immediately following the draft were a bit of the blur as we raced to Adelaide Oval for photos and talking with the media, which again was a whole new experience.
“It was great to share the joy with my now team mates! After the media frenzy I headed home to celebrate with my family in the early evening before escaping around dinner time.
“I finished my emotionally exhausting day on the couch watching The Bachelor and eating dinner to finally enjoy some alone time and reply to the hundreds of congratulatory messages I received.
“It was an incredible day, and not one I will forget any time soon.”
Adelaide City Council mason Justine Mules was hard at work when she was selected by the Crows with pick No.134 – the Club’s second-last pick – in the draft …
“I was actually going for my truck licence that day. In between my breaks I was streaming the draft online for maybe a couple minutes or so. I then had my final drive to complete so I couldn't watch the rest of the draft.
“I really didn't intend to watch it either because I didn’t think I would get drafted. During the drive my phone was vibrating, but I just thought it was from the bumps in the road!
“Once I had finished my drive and sat down to complete my theory component, my phone continued to buzz. I looked at it and I had about 10 missed calls, 20 or so text messages and numerous Facebook notifications saying that I had been drafted.
“I also passed my truck license that day!”
South Australian teenager Ebony Marinoff was the Club’s first-ever draft pick, called on stage with selection No.7 at the meet in Melbourne. Watch ‘Noffy’s’ reaction in the video player above.
