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RELATED – GRANT IMPRESSES IN WARM-UP
RELATED – THUNDER TRIO DRAFTED TO AFLW COMPETITION
FOUR Bendigo Thunder draftees will all be part of footballing history on Friday night when they play in the inaugural game of the new AFL Women’s competition between Carlton and Collingwood.
Former Thunder captain Emma Grant has been picked for Collingwood, while the trio of Sarah Last, Bella Ayre and Jess Kennedy have been named in Carlton’s squad of 22 for the keenly-anticipated 7.45pm clash at Ikon Park.
Another Thunder draftee on Carlton’s list, Hayley Trevean, is out injured with a leg stress fracture.
Grant – one of Collingwood’s best in a practice match last week against the Western Bulldogs – has been picked in a forward pocket.
“It’s phenomenal to be part of that very first game, which will go down in history,” Grant this week told Collingwood Media.
“And then to come up against the Blues and my former team-mates and some of my really good friends, I don’t know what to expect really.”
For the Blues, Last has been selected in a back pocket, Ayre – the youngest on Carlton’s list at 18 – at centre half-forward and Kennedy on the inter-change.
“To have four players drafted from our club being part of the first AFLW match is fantastic. We’re all really excited and hoping they all do well,” Thunder general manager Bryan Coghlan said.
Also involed in the opening round of the AFLW season will be Bendigo goal umpire John Varker, who will officiate Saturday night’s clash at the Whitten Oval between the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle.