Star midfielder Sara Howley has become the first Geelong Falcon selected in tonight’s (Monday) AFLW Draft.
The talented 18-year-old (she turns 19 next month) has joined the GWS Giants with pick 4, becoming the first Falcon selected by a non-Victorian club following this year’s introduction of an open draft.
A product of AFL Barwon club Newtown & Chilwell, Howley first rose to prominence after winning the Falcons best-and-fairest as a 16-year-old in 2022.
She repeated the dose in 2023, also winning the Talent League best-and-fairest.
After starring for Vic Country at the under-18 National Championships, Howley was selected in this year’s All-Australian team.
The teenager isn’t daunted by the move to the Harbour City.
“I’m just so keen to get into it,” Howley said.
“I think it’ll be a good opportunity to do something different and meet all the girls.
“I can’t wait.”
Emerging St Mary’s youngster Rebecca Clottey has been given an opportunity by Hawthorn with pick 50.
The 18-year-old came under notice in the AFL Barwon under-19 competition in 2023, winning the competition best-and-fairest.
She earned three games – including two finals – with the Falcons late in the season and selection in the Vic Country Diversity All-Stars team.
This year, Clottey played 12 games for the Falcons and made one appearance for Vic Country at the under-18 National Championships.
Meanwhile, former Falcons ruck Keeley Hardingham will get the chance to live out her AFLW dream after being drafted by the Western Bulldogs.
Since going undrafted at the end of 2022, the Colac Imperials product spent a season with AFL Barwon club St Joseph’s before joining the Bulldogs’ VFLW squad this year.
Hardingham, who turns 21 on Christmas Day, made the most of her chance with the Dogs, won the competition’s Rising Star Award and was named to the VFLW Team of the Year.
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