Northern Knight’s Rylie Wilcox can’t quite believe that she has been drafted to the Western Bulldogs.
The winger/forward was the Doggies first selection (pick 21 overall) in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft on Wednesday night.
She’s been described as classy and crafty by her new club, the midfielder or forward is known for her evasive skills, incredible speed and knowledge of the sport.
Wilcox joined the sport relatively late, having played hockey and soccer first before moving across to football in 2018.
Averaging 20 disposals, five marks and three tackles per game in the NAB League in 2022, and being named a member of the 2022 AFLW National Championships All-Australian team, it was no surprise the young gun was drafted.
The Northern Knights star played in the Under-23 All-Stars clash with the NAB AFLW Academy last month, kicking two goals and winning 14 disposals.
She also represented Carlton in the VFLW this year.
“It’s pretty surreal, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” she said about the draft.
“It was pretty nerve racking last night, just waiting there patiently for my name to get called out, but when it did I was so grateful and really excited to get things started.”
The midfielder is “keen to know all the players and get to the club and start training.”
“I’m so grateful to be going to the Western Bulldogs, I really like the club. Very excited to see how things kick off.”
AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan said Wilcox “reads the game particularly well, is clean with her ball handling and sets the game up using her great composure and vision.”
