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HAVING put her best foot forward at NAB League, VFLW and Victoria Country level, Kyneton's Elizabeth Snell is now eagerly awaiting Tuesday night's AFLW Draft.
The 19-year-old is among the Bendigo Pioneers' draft prospects hoping to hear their name called out by an AFLW club following a busy return to the field in 2021.
Snell not only won the Bendigo Pioneers' girls best and fairest, but also played VFLW for Essendon and represented Victoria Country in two matches as part of the AFLW Under-19 National Championships.
Having been involved in the Pioneers system from age 15 after making the switch from basketball to football, Snell says she was shocked when crowned the club's girls best and fairest earlier this month.
"Honestly, the best and fairest was really unexpected because I only played five out of the nine games with the Pioneers," Snell said this week.
"Being my last year with the team, it was a really good feeling to have won it and be able to show what I can do. It was nice to be recognised."
Snell's limited games with the Pioneers during the NAB League girls season that wrapped up earlier this year was due to opportunities at the next level with Victoria Country as well as four VFLW games with Essendon.
Snell - who is described by Pioneers coach Danny O'Bree as a "fiery pocket rocket" - says she relished the opportunity to test herself against the more mature bodies in the VFLW where she was given the opportunity to play through the Essendon midfield.
"I really enjoyed being able to come up against those older and bigger bodies," Snell said.
"To be honest, I was happy to get an invite to just go down and train at Essendon, even if I didn't get a game.
"To get that experience has been awesome and I loved every moment of it. I felt I fitted in well and that my football was able to go up to that level. All the girls welcomed me in and I felt really comfortable."
I was happy to get an invite to just go down and train at Essendon, even if I didn't get a game
- Elizabeth Snell
Snell - and Pioneers' team-mate Tara Slender - missed out on the chance to further showcase their talent last weekend when the Victorian AFLW Draft Combine had to be called off because of the latest lockdown.
"It was really exciting to be invited to the Draft Combine this year after missing out last year," Snell said.
"It would have been a chance to showcase a bit more of what I can do, so it was disappointing to miss out last weekend.
"With the AFLW Draft only a few days away now it's quite nerve-racking, but also exciting. I'm keen to see which girls get drafted and, fingers crossed, I'll have my name read out."
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