Western Jets and Yarraville Seddon pair Sierra Grieves and Lou-Lou Field have followed the same journey through their football careers.
Both have played at Yarraville Seddon, the Jets and been part of Victoria Metro squads including this year.
On Monday night, they took the next step in their careers after being selected in the AFLW draft.
Grieves, who was earlier named as the National Championships most valuable player among other awards, was selected by Richmond at pick 11.
Grieves said it was a remarkable feeling.
“Honestly it’s great, I’m grateful for this opportunity,” she said on the draft broadcast after being invited to the draft. “Honestly it has been great and all the programs I have been in I’ve learned so many new things.
“It’s been awesome.”
Grieves told Star Weekly earlier this year that she had started to take her footy seriously after Covid having been with the Western Jets since she was 13.
“It was a bit tough at the start,” she said on the draft coverage. “I knew I wanted to play midfield and I went away and worked on it with my brother especially who was a big help.”
Grieves played her local football at Yarraville Seddon, where her family has a number of connections. She lives in Tarneit.
Grieves’ biggest inspiration on the football field has been Richmond star Monique Conti.
Like Conti, Grieves went to school at Maribyrnong Sports Academy.
It was Conti that presented Grieves with her jumper.
“I can’t believe it,” she said.
Field, who says her game is like North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney, was taken by the Blues at pick 46.
Speaking before the draft, Field said it was a dream come true to get drafted.
“It is crazy. I’ve played footy my whole life and the next level is literally just around the corner.”
Field was also a talented cricketer but her love of football saw her stick with the oval ball.
She played junior football at Werribee Districts before moving to the Eagles.
Carlton head of AFLW Ash Naulty said they were really happy to have Field join Carlton saying she was someone who has been on draft radars ever since her first Coates Talent League game three years ago.
“A prolific defender, Lou-Lou has really impressive intercept ability, but what stands out most is her football IQ and her understanding of the game. She’s played footy ever since a young age and some of the traits she has are hard to teach.
“She’s a natural leader at just 18, having captained the Jets this year. We feel like we’ve added some exciting talent to our backline and we’re really looking forward to seeing what she can achieve in Navy Blue, working under the likes of Kerryn Peterson and Mimi Hill.”
The Western Bulldogs have looked within their Victorian Football League Women’s program for one of their picks, selecting Keeley Hardingham.
The young ruck was named the VFLW rising star this year.
