By Lance Jenkinson
By Lance Jenkinson and Tara Murray
Elisabeth Georgostathis has made history, becoming the first Western Jets player taken at an AFL Women’s draft.
Georgostathis was not the only Jets players selected on draft day with a further two current listed players and a former graduate making it four in all from the western suburbs club.
Being selected with pick nine by the Western Bulldogs has capped a remarkable top-age year for Georgostathis.
The midfielder captained the Jets in the NAB League and featured for the Bulldogs in their run to the VFL Women’s grand final.
Georgostathis is proud of her link with the Jets and honoured to be the first player taken in the AFLW draft from the club.
“It’s a great honour,” she said.
“The Western Jets have helped me so much over the last four years.
“I’m just so grateful for them and all the development over the years.”
Georgostathis is relatively new to football compared with many of the other top players selected at the 2020 AFLW draft.
The 18-year-old’s sporting journey began in netball, but she gravitated towards football over the past five years.
“I did netball for about eight years, but I just found that wasn’t my sport with no contact,” she said.
“I like the physicality, so football was more my sport.”
Georgostathis was one of the most hard-at-it youngsters on the Western Jets list.
She averaged four tackles to go with her 20 disposals per game, which saw her named in the NAB League team of the year.
The Western Bulldogs are a perfect landing spot for Georgostathis.
A western suburbs local, she will be spared a big petrol bill and she is already familiar with the kennel.
“I don’t have to travel too far, which is good,” Georgostathis said.
“I know most of the girls from playing VFL with them.
“It’s really good, especially this year coming into VFL, I was really nervous but all the AFL and VFL girls included me, encouraged me and supported me through every step.
“I’m really grateful for them and really excited for next year.”
Georgostathis will never forget the moment she heard her name called out by the Western Bulldogs.
“It’s so surreal,” she said.
“I can’t believe I just got drafted to the Bulldogs.
“I’m so happy, I can’t explain the feeling.”
Isabella Grant is another Western Jets player who landed at the Western Bulldogs.
Grant, a strong marking forward who also made the NAB League team of the year, became a Bulldog under the father-daughter rule.
Cleo Saxon-Jones was selected by Richmond with pick 58.
The former Jet taken was Sharnie Whiting, a mature-aged recruit who played with Williamstown in the VFLW and was taken with pick 36 by Carlton.
