Tara Murray
Northern Knights star Jess Fitzgerald still can’t believe that she was taken at pick two in the AFLW draft by the Western Bulldogs.
The star midfielder was left stunned after the Bulldogs called out her name, just minutes after her best friend Ellie McKenzie was taken at pick one by Richmond.
McKenzie said it was an incredible 10 minutes.
“I was up and screaming [when McKenzie was drafted] and I quickly sent her a text as I knew that she would be bombarded with messages,” she said.
“I honestly didn’t hear my name called out, as I was thinking how good it was for her.
“We were listening and I was just caught up in my thoughts a little bit and my name got read out and we all jumped up.
“I think we were all in a little bit of disbelief, it was really cool.”
The excitement continued when another Knight, Alyssa Bannan was taken at pick five by Melbourne, the third pick among Victorian clubs.
Fitzgerald will know a few familiar faces when she heads down to the Bulldogs, with three Knights players drafted to the Bulldogs last year, including number one pick Gabby Newton.
“They’re all pretty excited for me to join them and I’m excited too.”
Fitzgerald joined her new teammates on a Zoom call the night of the draft, while many of her teammates had been in touch with her.
She didn’t have long to celebrate, having to sit her year 12 GAT the following day.
The car ride to the school was an exciting one, with Fitzgerald giving McKenzie a ride to school that day.
The two were the Knights co-captains this season.
“Her mum couldn’t take her there so she was like, do you mind giving me lift,” she said.
“We got a little picture with our guernseys and holding them up and we didn’t stop taking the whole way there, we were so excited.
“We haven’t spoken about what positions we would go, but had spoken about how cool it would be to both get picked.
“We’re both living out our dreams which is pretty cool.”
Fitzgerald said she was looking forward to starting training and getting to know her teammates.
She said she has no expectations heading into next year.
“I’m not too sure about the schedule,” she said.
“I honestly have no idea and I have no expectations. I just know I’ve been welcomed pretty well and I already feel part of it.
“I’m just really excited.”
Bulldogs’ AFLW head of list management and recruiting Mick Sandry said they had been watching Fitzgerald closely for the past couple of years.
“She is composed with the football and is elite by foot. She is known for her ability to break open packs and exit stoppages.
“Jess has elite football IQ, is a hard working midfielder, and she has been noted by teammates for her on-field leadership, so we are looking forward to what Jess can bring to our group.”
