The 2019 AFLW draft delivered several special moments for new Crow Madison Newman, but her father’s reaction is one that will stick with her forever.
After playing 300 games for Morphett Vale, Steve Newman had tears in his eyes on Tuesday when one of his three daughters was drafted by his favourite AFL club, Adelaide.
Newman was taken at pick No. 100 by the Crows, after making the All-Australian team at this year’s National Championships.
For Newman, sharing the special moment with her father meant the world.
“I’ll credit my dad for my skills, I always had him out the back with me before and after school,” Newman said.
“I used to go to all his footy games and kicked at half-time with my sisters.
“All of his teammates would be like ‘your girls are playing footy, that’s a bit strange,’ but he loved it and he is so happy today.”
She waited until the third to last pick to hear her name and when the moment came, it wasn’t without a touch of drama.
“My family and I were watching and then there were some technical difficulties, so I was like ‘what’s going on here’ but it was really relieving to see my name come up,” she said.
“It added to the drama I guess and it made it a little bit more special having to wait that bit longer.”
After playing for West Adelaide in the SANFLW and for the Central Allies at the National Championships, the 18-year-old said it was really exciting to now be a part of the highest level.
“It was such an amazing year for them and it is just crazy to see that I am now a part of this team,” Newman said.
“How much they’ve achieved in the three years is amazing and I’m grateful to be here.”
Fellow 2019 Crows draftee Najwa Allen was just as stoked to hear her name called out at pick No. 37.
The 25-year-old moved from Canberra to compete in the 2019 SANFLW competition for Norwood, and she won the SANFLW Best and Fairest in only her first year.
She believes that move is what set her up to be drafted.
“I moved here because I loved footy and I wanted to challenge myself at a higher level with SANFL,” Allen said.
“I don’t think I would have been looked at as much in Canberra - you get looked at more here and the level is a bit higher so you get to showcase your skills more.
“Then this has all come about, so it is a pinch yourself moment, it’s unreal.”
Newman and Allen were two of eight new Crows to join the Club during Tuesday’s draft.