By ADEM SARICAOGLU
MADELINE Keryk was at the MCG on Wednesday night attending the inaugural and historic AFL women’s draft.
However the 18-year-old St Albans Spurs star wasn’t expecting to be given a chance to play on the hallowed turf for an AFL club.
Keryk, who recently co-captained Vic Metro to victory in the national Youth Girls championships, was selected by Melbourne with pick 21.
“I was stunned – I can’t even believe it now,” Keryk said afterward, overlooking the MCG’s playing surface.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity and I wasn’t even expecting to get selected let alone at 21, so it’s a huge honour. I can’t even believe it.
“I can’t even … contemplate it. It’d be like playing for an AFL club. It’s as close as you’re ever going to (get), it’s too much to think about.”
Both Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs took part in the selection meeting and will play in the first officially-sanctioned AFL women’s game in a curtain-raiser at the MCG on 29 June.
Fifty of the country’s finest footballers were snapped up as both clubs took turns selecting their squads of 25, with Victorian Daisy Pearce going at number one for the Demons.
Keryk said it’s going to be a huge occasion for women’s footy.
“There’s so many talented girls and I even know other talented girls who didn’t even get the opportunity, so I suppose it’s going to be absolutely insane – the standard of footy out there,” Keryk said.“Hopefully I can get a kick and do my part for the team, so we’ll see how we go.
“It’s an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime, so you’ve got to try and make the most of it.”
However Keryk won’t be the only Spur taking the field in late June.
Melbourne used its very next pick (23) on experienced 31-year-old midfielder and Spurs captain Bree White.
Though White has enjoyed a successful career and played on the big stage before, she admitted she wasn’t expecting to hear her name called.
“It’s definitely an honour,” White said.“When you’ve grown up playing football you never imagined something like this would ever happen in women’s football, especially for someone like me.
“I’m getting to the latter stage of my career so it’s really exciting that the opportunity has come about.”
White’s expecting the game to be of the highest standard she’s ever experienced.
“I’ve played on the MCG before in the Vic Country-Vic Metro game, but for the talent that will be out there, it will definitely be a much bigger occasion.”
