Northern Knights co-captain Lulu Beatty has realised her AFLW dreams after being selected in the 2023 supplementary draft.
Beatty, who missed out on being drafted last year, was taken at pick five by the Blues. She is no stranger to the Blues, having joined their Victorian Football League Women’s program this season.
She impressed in her Carlton VFLW debut, before backing it up with a 22-disposal showing for the Knights in their 2023 opener.
Beatty is highly regarded for her work rate and football IQ.
Carlton head of football Brad Lloyd was pleased with the selection of Beatty, noting her ball skills and her courage around the contest stood out to the recruiting team.
“Our recruiting team have loved what Lulu has brought to the table,” he said.
“She has an appetite to improve, she wants to be the best she can be and she’s a smart footballer.
“She can play at both ends of the ground which is really important in the modern game, and the way she came back from injury last year was a further example of her professionalism at still a young age.
“She’s known to the program and the club having made her debut for our VFLW side in round one this year, which only consolidated our decision: we saw throughout pre-season that she’s a really good culture fit at the club.”
Speaking to Star Weekly before last year’s draft, Beatty said a stress reaction in her foot, which meant she missed early, had helped her grow as a player.
“Coming back from injury, it was sort of a growth process and working on getting back from there,” she said.
“It was really good and I only played half the season, but I was able to get back and get all the places I wanted to go.
“So I would say that it was successful and I grew this season as a player and as a leader, all positives.”
She said at the time she had always wanted to be part of the AFLW.
“Pretty much since I went to the first AFLW game, I saw myself being able to play out there and that’s what I wanted to do,” she said.
