When Ella Wood was chosen by Richmond in Tuesday’s NAB AFL Women’s Draft, she became the first ever player from Ararat to be selected in the AFLW draft.
The 18-year-old was taken by the Tigers with pick 31 following a breakthrough season with the GWV Rebels, where she was named in the team’s best in five of seven matches.
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Her impressive form in the NAB League Girls earnt her the chance to prove herself in the VFLW for the Western Bulldogs, where she relished the opportunity to take her game to the next level.
Now, as an AFLW Tiger, she’ll be taking it one step further.
“I’m super, super stoked to be a part of the Richmond Football Club and very excited to get out there and begin this journey,” Wood said.
“I couldn’t believe it (getting drafted to Richmond), it felt like a dream.”
For a lifelong Richmond supporter, pulling on a Tigers guernsey holds special significance to Wood.
“To be able to run out in the colours and be with all the girls, I’m super excited,” she said.
Wood offers versatility and skills in spades. The hard-running midfielder is clever with ball in hand and has a penetrating left-foot kick.
“I’m able to play anywhere on the ground and willing to do whatever it is the coach wants me to do,” Wood said.
As she looks towards her debut season in the Yellow and Black, Wood can’t wait to play alongside two Tigers she faced up against during this year’s VFLW season, Katie Brennan and Monique Conti.
“Katie Brennan is a big one. I did play against her in one of the VFLW games and she was one of the standouts so I’m very excited to get to play with her, as well as Monique Conti,” she said.
She expects her time in the VFLW to assist her in settling into AFLW level.
“Playing with the Bulldogs really developed me as an individual and I think that’s really benefitted the way I play as well,” she said.
“I’m so super excited to see how Richmond go about it and see how I can go next season.
“If I can get a game Round 1, that’d be great.”
Wood said it was “unbelievable” that herself and fellow Rebels teammates Sophie Molan and Nekaela Butler, all ended up at Tigerland through the 2019 draft.
“We’ve gone through football together with Rebels, nationals and even our local club as well. So, I’m super excited to see where this goes,” she said.
