Tara Murray
Northern Knights’ Brooke Plummer is excited about what the next few weeks will bring as she prepares to possibly live out her dream.
Plummer is among 100s of hopefuls hoping to hear her name called out at the AFLW national draft later this month.
Speaking at the recent AFLW draft combine, Plummer said she was trying to stay as calm as possible.
“I think it’s an exciting time for all of us getting around each other,” she said.
“It’s pretty exciting. I’m pretty stoked and seeing all the clubs progress since it first started.
“The culture it brings, it brings the community together.
“I’m so excited to see what the future holds for me and hopefully I get picked up and the best is yet to come.”
For Plummer, this year has been the highlight of her footballing career so far.
She was part of the Northern Knights side for a third straight year. Playing in seven games, she averaged 13 possessions a game, up from 12 last season.
Her performances would be enough to see her selected in the Vic Metro squad for the under-18 national championships.
“I thought I did quite well and played off the wing a bit at the start and I was able to use my run and carry,” she said of the Knights.
“Then through Vic Metro games I got to run off half back. I got to utilise my skills and my good clean skills with my kicking.
“That was really awesome.”
Plummer said she loved the opportunity to test herself in different possessions, saying she loved the challenge of both spots.
She said in her draft year it was key to show as much of her game as she could.
“I’m always willing to try different positions,” she said.
“I thought I adapted really well through the backline and wing. I hope I showed the clubs I’m not just a one position player.”
Since the NAB League season came to an end, Plummer has still been keeping busy on the footy field.
She played three games for Carlton’s VFLW side. Plummer said it was another experience she enjoyed.
“I have loved playing there,” she said. “The girls are so lovely and welcomed me with open arms.
“I couldn’t ask for any more from the club and thought I performed pretty well. I thought I handled playing against the bigger bodies in the VFLW as I had played seniors for Diamo [Diamond Creek] and I was already used to playing with bigger bodies.”
Plummer was among those that tested at the AFLW draft combine, with players this year just running a two-kilometre time trial.
She said it was another opportunity to show the hard work that she had done.
“I’ve got nothing to lose,” she said.
“This year has been one of the biggest highlights of my Knights and football career.”
The AFLW draft is on June 29.
