Kyneton’s Elizabeth Snell was thrilled to be selected by Western Bulldogs in the AFLW draft last week, and was scheduled to meet up with her new teammates yesterday.
“I didn’t know if I would get picked or not,” the 19-year-old swift moving and versatile midfielder said.
She admitted it was a very anxious wait, and she was the third player chosen by the Bulldogs, coached by former St Kilda champion Nathan Burke.
Snell was scheduled to meet up with her new teammates yesterday, and is looking forward to four weeks of pre-season training. The AFLW season begins in December.
On July 18, Snell took part in the AFLW Draft Combine. She had a couple of discussions with Western Bulldogs recruiters, and also spoke with three other clubs.
Snell first played with the Kyneton Tigers as a 15-year-old, and has always been a Kyneton resident.
Her parents Mark and Christine have been strongly supportive of her sporting pursuits (she played basketball with Woodend Hawks in the Sunbury competition for several seasons).
“I owe a lot to the Kyneton club and the coaches who have helped me along the way,” she said.
Despite playing just five of eight matches with Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB League this season, Snell won the Pioneers’ best and fairest, averaging 20 disposals, eight tackles and almost a goal a game.
She has enjoyed leadership roles and helping younger players, as well as juggling commitments In the VFLW for Essendon and as a Vic Country representative player.
Western Bulldogs won the AFLW premiership in 2018, with Trentham trailblazer Jenna Bruton a member of that side. Bruton later switched to North Melbourne, winning that club’s best and fairest.
Maddy Prespakis, who began with Romsey juniors, is a now a Carlton star. Her younger sister, Georgia, was selected by Geelong in last week’s draft.
Snell has no illusions about how tough it will be establishing in the AFLW, but it keen to give it her best shot.
Workwise, Snell is starting a course to become a non-emergency patient transporter in the hospital system.
Kyneton Football Netball Club congratulates her and many locals will be following her foray into the top echelon of women’s football.
