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BENDIGO Thunder coach Cherie O'Neill says all five of the club's players headed to the AFL Women's League are thoroughly deserving of the opportunity.
The Thunder had three players drafted on Wednesday, with rising star Isabella Ayre and running defender Sarah Last making their way to Carlton with picks 51 and 94, and skipper Emma Grant chosen by Collingwood with selection 91.
They were joined in the big league post-draft by key position talent Hayley Trevean and midfielder Jess Kennedy, who were picked up by Carlton as free agents.
O'Neill, who guided the Thunder to a VWFL Premier Division grand final appearance in her first season at the helm this year, said it was a tremendous result for the club, but in particular the individuals.
"I can't believe it - I am absolutely stoked," O'Neill said.
"They (the girls) have done extremely well.
"It's so good to see that all the hard work they have put in has paid off."
That hard work for some of the girls started with their involvement in the AFL Victoria Women's Football Academy last summer and continued through their on-field exploits for a Thunder team that won 16 straight game en-route to a narrow, but disappointing grand final loss.
"The girls set themselves a goal at the start of the year and they have worked really hard to get to it," she said.
"All credit to them really.
"Getting those two free agents was the icing on the cake.
"I knew all five were definitely going for it, (But) I couldn’t believe (Trevean and Kennedy) weren't picked up in the draft.
"It's good to see all five get their opportunity, they deserve it, they really do."
O’Neill is on a family holiday and watched the draft via live-stream while travelling back from Darwin.
Like all associated with the Thunder, she was stunned, but rapt, that four of the players ended up at the one club, with Carlton swooping first on Ayre, before adding Last later in the draft and then signing free agent pair Trevean and Kennedy.
"I couldn't believe it - to have all four go there, I was shocked, but it's fantastic," she said.
"I'm sure all the girls, Carlton and Collingwood, will do themselves proud.
"I think this opportunity is what their football needs, that chance to take it to another level.
"I can't seem them doing anything but improving their game."
The eight-team national competition will kick-off in February, with Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, and Western Bulldogs involved.
It will feature six home-and-away rounds, with the top four playing two semi-finals and a grand final.
Players will return to their home clubs at the ed of the season, meaning Grant, Ayre, Last, Trevean and Kennedy will be free to line-up for the Thunder in 2017.
O'Neill sees the experience gained by the five at elite-level having a profound impact on their Bendigo teammates.
"They will bring back a lot of knowledge to the club and they will be fit and ready and raring to go," she said.