Dogs’ dilemma with top pick at AFLW draft

The Western Bulldogs must decide between three of Victoria’s most talented young footballers with their first call at Wednesday’s AFL Women’s draft.

Chloe Molloy, a leading VFLW goal kicker and niece of former Brisbane player Jarrod Molloy, Isabel Huntington, a gifted footballer coming off a knee reconstruction, and Monique Conti, who also plays basketball in the WNBL, are considered the standout players.

The Bulldogs, Collingwood, Melbourne and Carlton are the only clubs in competition to snare top Victorian talent, with players nominating the state they wish to play in in the second AFLW draft.

Inaugural premiers Adelaide, beaten grand finalists Brisbane, Greater Western Sydney and Fremantle have no competition to pick players from their own states.

With expansion clubs set to enter the AFL Women’s competition from 2019, the pressure is on the eight foundation teams to make the right choices at the selection meeting in Melbourne.

“This draft is really important because we’re moving into expansion in 2019 and 2020,” AFL female talent manager Aasta O’Connor said.

“In terms of the top (picks) I think all clubs are talking about the same players, so I don’t think there will be too may shocks.”

Collingwood picks third overall, the Dogs pick again fourth and Melbourne select sixth in the first round.

The Blues’ first pick isn’t until No.12.

There are 49 live picks at this year’s draft with the talent pool from diverse backgrounds including basketball, netball, volleyball and even motor-cross.

“We continue to attract athletes from other sports that may not have thought that football was ever an option for them to play at a semi-professional level,” O’Connor said.

“I think we’ll always see those sorts of (more experienced) athletes coming over and then there’s women coming back to the sport who may have played as juniors.”

FIRST ROUND OF THE 2017 AFLW DRAFT:

1. Western Bulldogs

2. Fremantle

3. Collingwood

4. Western Bulldogs

5. Greater Western Sydney

6. Melbourne

7. Brisbane

8. Adelaide

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