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READ MORE - Bendigo Pioneers duo selected in AFLW Draft
HAVING achieved her goal of being drafted, Kyneton's Elizabeth Snell is ready to embrace the hard work that now lies ahead in forging an AFLW career with the Western Bulldogs.
Snell was selected by the Bulldogs with pick 27 in Tuesday night's AFLW Draft off the back of a season in which she won the Bendigo Pioneers' girls best and fairest, represented Victoria Country at the Under-19 National Championships and played four VFL games with Essendon.
The 19-year-old on Wednesday morning said it was still sinking in that she was now an AFLW-listed player at the Bulldogs, which were one of the pioneer clubs of women's football.
"It still hasn't sunk in properly yet... it's a dream come true," Snell said.
"It was obviously a great night with my family. When my name got called out there was a lot of excitement, screaming and hugging. We couldn't believe it; it's just unbelievable."
It has been a whirlwind four years for Snell, who didn't begin playing football until she was 15.
A former basketballer, Snell's interest in football was sparked with a kick at Kyneton's Sacred Heart College before she joined the Tigers' youth girls team.
"When I first started out with footy there wasn't a chance I thought it could lead to something like this," Snell said.
"I thought I'd just go down to meet some new girls (at the youth girls team), so for this to have now happened I think is a really good achievement."
Tenacious midfielder Snell won the Pioneers' best and fairest this year despite playing just five of their nine games, averaging 20 disposals and 8.8 tackles.
When I first started out with footy there wasn't a chance I thought it could lead to something like this
- Elizabeth Snell
Pioneers' coach Danny O'Bree has described Snell as a "fiery pocket rocket" such is her competitiveness on the field, while he said her selection by the Bulldogs was reward for her "amazing work ethic".
"She has been involved in four programs this year - Pioneers, Essendon VFL, Kyneton and Vic Country - and for her to get the results she did is a credit to her," O'Bree said.
"To immerse yourself in one program takes a big effort, but to do it in four and then get your name read out by the Bulldogs is fantastic.
"She's a super competitor and when the tough get going, she goes even harder."
Among the first to congratulate Snell on her selection was Western Bulldogs' AFLW coach Nathan Burke.
"It's our honour to have you with us," Burke said on a Facetime call with Snell that has been shared by the Western Bulldogs on social media.
Snell will head to the Bulldogs' Whitten Oval for the first time on Thursday night where she will meet with her new team-mates and coaching staff.
"I can't wait to get down there on Thursday night and meet everyone and start the journey," Snell said.
"I'm still soaking it all in, but there's obviously a lot of hard work ahead, which I'm really looking forward to."
The Bulldogs finished eighth with a 5-4 record in this year's AFLW season, which was won by Brisbane.
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