By JARROD POTTER
FLYING the flag for the south east suburbs will be four footballers in the inaugural Women’s Round match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs.
Kara Donnellan, Katie Loynes, Ellie Blackburn and Bianca Jakobsson had their names called out in the 50-woman draft, which took place at the MCG on Wednesday night.
Former Berwick footballer Loynes became the fourth selection for the Western Bulldogs and was thrilled to get a chance to represent the team – joining Diamond Creek team mate Stephanie Chiocci who was the Bulldogs’ first selection.
“Overwhelmed,” Loynes said.
“I was just so happy that I saw my other friends getting picked in the top 10 and then when I heard my name called out I was just really happy.
“I was saying today I would be so happy if I just made it into the actual draft, so the fact I got picked at number eight was very exciting.”
A former Doggies supporter as a kid, Loynes said it adds extra meaning to an already fantastic experience.
“I’ve done it once before for the All-Australia match but to do it again and under these circumstances, to know it’s the best group of women’s footballers going around, it will be amazing.
“Just to see how far it’s come from when I started playing in 2003 to doing a draft, I think it’s onwards and upwards for the competition.”
Donnellan, now playing for Swan Districts in Western Australia, is also a former Berwick prospect.
She was taken fifth overall by the Demons.
For the Berwick Women’s Football Club rising stars Blackburn (pick 13) and Jakobsson (33), the chance to play on the MCG proved an exciting prospect.
“Hopefully we can go better than the male team at the moment, but it’s pretty good,” Blackburn said.
“Was a bit nervous waiting but good to be called out – it’s an amazing feeling I can’t wait to get out there and play footy with the girls.”
Jakobsson said the thrill of hearing her name is only surpassed by the pride it instils to be one of the first 50 women to play in an AFL-sanctioned football match.
“It’s such a great thing to be a part of and really an honour and to see the raw emotion of the girls there and it’s such an historic night to be a part of,” Jakobsson said.
“I think all of the girls have this dream to aspire to and you don’t think it is going to happen, and it all came so quickly and is great for women’s footy.”
Darebin Falcons’ Daisy Pearce was selected by the Melbourne Football Club as the inaugural number one draft pick.
The curtain-raiser match takes place on Saturday 29 June at the MCG.
