More young footballing stars have emerged out of the Outer East, with four local girls picked in the 2024 AFLW Draft held on Monday 16 December 2024.
Olinda Ferny-Creek Junior Grace Belloni, former Kilsyth junior Georgie Brisbane, former Monbulk junior Georgia Knight and Moroolbark junior Grace Baba were all among the talented collection of players set to realise their AFLW dream ahead of next season.
Grace Belloni was the highest draft pick of the local crop, with the inside midfielder/forward hybrid taken by the Essendon Bombers with Pick 9 after 120 games, 108 goals and 19 times featuring in the best players for her local club.
The Essendon Football Club said in a statement that Belloni was long touted as one of the standouts in a stacked talent pool this year.
At 174cm tall, Belloni transitioned from a key forward prospect to become a full-time midfielder with the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League, averaging 20 disposals per game and establishing herself as one of the most consistent players in her class,” it reads.
“Her goalkicking capability has also showed no signs of slowing with her role change, having booted seven goals from three games with Vic Metro in the National Championships.”
Her local club couldn’t hold back their excitement on social media, with a post on the Olinda Ferny Creek Football Netball Club Facebook page to supporters having said that their ‘hearts are so full knowing how hard Grace has worked to get to this exact moment’.
“We’ve been so proud to watch her grow up at this club and flourish into the beautiful athlete and person she has become. She continues to lead and set an example for future generations, and we can’t wait to see the continual growth she’ll achieve at this level,” the post reads.
“An inspiration to all. Although we’re sad to see Grace leave our playing field, we’ll always be there to provide our true Bloods support through thick and thin.”
Former Kilsyth Cougar Georgie Brisbane, who also spent time during her juniors with Blackburn and North Ringwood, is headed west to Fremantle having been taken with Pick 14.
Fremantle’s profile on Brisbane describes her as a forward who has also spent time on the wing and who showcased her talent over two standout years with the Eastern Ranges, including vice captaining and captaining the side in consecutive Coates Talent League Girls Grand Finals.
“Known for her athleticism and work rate, she averaged 11 disposals, three marks, and kicked 21 goals over two seasons, with a standout five-goal performance for Vic Metro against the Allies,” it reads.
“Brisbane possesses outstanding aerial ability, with strong hands and a great competitive nature, the young tall forward is not afraid to put her body on the line at ground level to win the ball for her team.”
At Pick 26, the Collingwood Magpies selected ‘crafty and damaging forward’ Georgia Knight.
The Vic Metro and All Australian bagged an impressive 27 goals from 16 games across the Coates league season, finishing runner up in the goal kicking for 2024.
Knight, who also spent some time playing for Vermont in the Eastern Football Netball League in her junior years, said the emotions of being drafted were ‘unreal’ in an interview with her new club, with current Magpie and Knight’s former gym partner Michaela Cann helping welcome her to the club.
“Seriously I can’t explain my emotions, I thought I’d be able to put them into words but I can’t put anything into words, I’m definitely ecstatic,” she said.
“I used to do gym with her (Cann), she’s massive and I want to be like her so I think the advice she gave is keep going at it and the results will come,”
“I want to play, I want to meet all the coaches and the girls, I can’t wait to get started, to learn about how you guys work and what your club is like. I came for everything, I just want to take it all with both hands and just get started.”
The last new local talent set to grace the AFLW stage is Grace Baba from Moroolbark who was taken by Hawthorn with Pick 28.
A profile by her new club said the ‘athletic defender’ featured for Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League across 2023 and 2024, notably starring in the 2023 Grand Final as a bottom-age player and in 2024 she earned a place in the Marsh AFL National Academy.
“Her 2024 campaign was briefly interrupted by injury before returning for the final Marsh AFL National Championships game representing Vic Metro. She finished the season strongly for Eastern Ranges, picking up 21 disposals in the qualifying final and was among her team’s best in the Grand Final loss,” the profile reads.
“In addition to a background in soccer and hockey, Baba’s Draft Combine results saw her ranked first in the running vertical jump with a result of 67cm, whilst finishing in third overall in the 2km time trial with 7:46.”
