By Tara Murray
Northern Knights’ Britney Gutknecht had to skip her year 12 muck day to attend the AFLW draft and it proved to be a good decision.
The Laurimar product had a few nervous moments at the draft, before her name was called out by the Western Bulldogs at pick 48
Having been spoken about as a possible first round pick, Gutknecht said she was relieved when her name was finally announced.
“I’m very relieved now, it’s finally over with,” she said.
“After the first round, I wasn’t disappointed or anything. Then getting later and later and I was starting to stress a bit more.
“You want to get selected as high as you can. I’m just grateful to get selected at all.”
Gutknecht had spoken to the Bulldogs a few times in the lead up to the draft.
Her new coach Nathan Burke coached at Vic Metro earlier this year.
“It’s unreal to be picked by the Doggies, hopefully get the opportunity to pull on the jumper in an AFLW game next year.
“I love his [Burke’s] style of coaching and I’m looking forward to him coaching me again.
Gutknecht was one of three Northern Knights’ players selected in the draft.
Gabby Newton was taken at pick one, while Nell Morris-Dalton was selected at pick six.
Gutknecht said it was even more special to have the two of them on the journey as well.
“I’m grateful that two of my teammates from Northern Knights are there too,” she said.
“When Gabby got her named called out first pick, I started crying. I’m best friends with her, I’m so happy for her.
“We’ve been through the Northern Knights for three years now, we live in the same suburb Doreen.
“We’ll probably trek to training together, we’ve been so close over the last three years.”
While she missed her muck up day, Gutknecht didn’t get to miss out on all the fun on Tuesday.
“I’ve got my valedictory for graduating high school today, so it’s a big day.
“I missed muck up day to come to the draft, definitely worth in in the end.”
Overall, five Knights players were taken in the draft.
Sarah Sansonetti [pick 40] and Ciara Fitzgerald [pick 87] were both taken by Richmond.
