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THE ranks of Bendigo Thunder players at AFL Women's League Club Carlton has grown by two overnight.
Midfielder Jess Kennedy and key position talent Hayley Trevean were snapped up by the Blues as free agents in the hours after Wednesday's AFL Women's Draft.
They will join young gun Isabella Ayre and Sarah Last, who were chosen by the Blues with picks 51 and 94 in the draft.
Each club was allowed three agent picks after the draft, with the Blues opting for the Thunder pair.
Both were members of the AFL Victoria Women's Football Academy, which gave players access to coaching staff and training facilities at several AFL clubs in the lead-up to the 2016 season.
Meanwhile, Carlton coach Damien Keeping has praised the Blues two Thunder draftees.
He described Ayre, a strongly built key forward, as "one of the most exciting youth girl graduates” this year.
Keeping said Ayre's versatility to rotate into the midfield would make her a tremendous acquisition for the team.
“Bella’s work rate and endurance allows her to be competitive from the first bounce of the ball, until the final siren,” Keeping said.
“Although she generally plays up forward and can pinch-hit in the midfield, Bella can also help down back if required, so she’s an extremely flexible player.”
Last joins the Blues after a stellar season with the Thunder as a running defender.
The 22-year-old was the Thunder's best in their disappointing VWFL Premier Division grand final loss to Deer Park.
Keeping said Last had plenty of natural ability and a fierce competitive streak.
“Sarah’s knack to read the ball in flight is matched by her brutal competitiveness,” Keeping said.
"She will be sure to leave a ‘lasting’ impression on Blues fans in 2017."
Thunder skipper Emma Grant was drafted to Collingwood with pick 91.