AFLW Draft: 'Dreams being made' as draftee reaction videos go viral

Lachlan McKirdy

•
AFLW Draft: 'Dreams being made' as draftee reaction videos go viral image

The AFLW Draft is over for another year with Gabby Newton selected by the Western Bulldogs as the No. 1 pick. 

However, it was the emotional reactions of other players that caught the attention of sports lovers online. 

100 players were selected across seven rounds of the draft and for many, this would be a life-changing moment. 

Many of these young athletes are teenagers who are set to get their first taste of professional sport when the league kicks off in 2020.

MORE: Brendan Fevola finally has the apology he's been waiting for

Sporting News has collated the best reactions online of players who realise their dreams have just come true. 

Brenna Tarrant - Melbourne AFLW - Pick #72

Tarrant was studying for her Year 12 exams in her school library, keeping an eye on the AFLW Draft at the same time. 

When her name was read out at pick #72 she couldn't help but scream in excitement, her HSC the furthest thing from her mind. 

It's clearly an emotional moment for Tarrant who is set to line-up for the Demons next year. 

Our favourite part of this video is the concerned librarian thinking there must have been a snake to cause the reaction. 

To add to it a bit more, the librarian adds "is she alive, is she breathing?"

Georgia Breward - Gold Coast Suns AFLW - Pick #91

The Gold Coast local was taken at pick 91 by the Suns in the 2019 AFLW draft. 

The emotional reaction shows just how much being picked by Gold Coast means to her. 

Breward has been a Suns Academy player since the age of 16 and tore her ACL during the U18 State Championships in 2018. 

According to Suns coaching staff, Breward has been the ultimate professional in her rehab from the injury and her draft selection is just reward. 

It's clearly an emotional moment for Breward and we can't wait to see her back on the field for the Suns next year. 

Lucy McEvoy - Carlton AFLW - Pick #2

While this reaction isn't of McEvoy, she was too busy at the actual event, the reaction of her classmates at Sacred Heart College says it all. 

McEvoy was expected to go early in the draft and Carlton didn't disappoint, taking her with pick #2.

If the reaction of her friends at school is anything to go by, Lucy is sure to make a massive impact on the AFLW for the Blues. 

 

Machaelia Roberts - Collingwood AFLW - Pick #94

The 25-year-old from the Northern Territory was particularly emotional after hearing she had been selected in the AFLW Draft. 

Roberts was surrounded by her children as her name was read out, clearly over the moon that their mother had been selected for the Pies. 

She also made history as the first female player from Groote Eylandt in East Arnhem Land to be drafted to an AFLW team.

Mia King - North Melbourne AFLW - Pick #49

King was taken at pick #49 by the Kangaroos in the AFLW draft but the biggest surprise waited for her as she returned home to Launceston. 

King was greeted by a screaming group of friends there to congratulate her on being selected in the AFLW draft. 

Clearly an emotional moment, her friends welcomed her with flowers, balloons and even plush toys. 

What a great moment and incredibly supportive friends. 

Mim Strong - Fremantle Dockers AFLW - Pick #21

Strong looks in disbelief after she was taken at pick #21 in the 2019 AFLW Draft. 

The new Fremantle Dockers player stares at the TV in stunned silence before being congratulated by her family around her. 

She also gets a visit from Fremantle club president Dale Alcock and player Gemma Houghton.

What an incredible moment!

Lauren Tesoriero - Richmond AFLW - Pick #96

Our final reaction from the AFLW Draft comes from pick #96, Lauren Tesoriero at the Richmond Tigers. 

What makes this pick so special? Tesoriero is actually Richmond's AFLW Recruitment Manager.

The selection led to a lot of giggles and a professional handshake across the desk and was a popular decision with Tigers faithful. 

The pick is even more special because of Tesoriero's history in the AFLW, having previously played 11 games for Collingwood across the first two seasons. 

She ruptured her ACL playing for the Richmond VFLW side in June and thought her AFLW dream was over, only for herself (and others in the recrutiment team) to give Tesoriero another shot at the big time.

 

Lachlan McKirdy

Lachlan McKirdy Photo