WIMMERA products Rene Caris and Georgia Clarke are one step closer to making their AFLW dream a reality, being selected to participate in the draft combine later this year.
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Caris, originally of the Horsham Saints, and Clarke (Ararat Storm) were selected in the 36-girl group to test their skills and fitness at Melbourne in October this year.
It is the first draft combine for Caris and Clarke.
Caris said the news was a “big surprise” for her.
“I was really shocked. I was not expecting it at all,” she said. “It has been exciting to have a good crack at footy this year.”
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The pair are currently plying their trade in the VFLW, gaining crucial experience to put them in good stead for a call up to the nation’s top women’s football competition. Clarke has played three games for Geelong while Caris managed to crack her way into Carlton’s best team in the last two weeks, among the best in both of her two matches.
Caris said she has enjoyed the opportunity to play on women older than her.
“I have always played in under-18 competitions so it has been a good experience playing on women,” she said.
“The whole experience has been amazing. The people I have around me at Carlton have been so good. The facilities and coaches have allowed me to learn so much.”
The 36 players, were nominated by the 10 AFLW clubs after the completion of the AFLW under-18 championships on the Gold Coast earlier this year.
Caris and Clarke were impressive in those championships, earning selection in the All-Australian squad.
The combine will be held at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on October 2 and 3.
The draft is set to run four weeks after the combine, with a date yet to be confirmed.
“It will be a good opportunity to show my skills and hopefully impress some AFL clubs,” Caris said.
Clarke said she is not getting too caught up in the excitement of the combine.
“It is a good opportunity but I still have to work hard and put my best foot forward at the combine,” she said.
“There are no guarantees but it is a good chance to push your case and meet with clubs.”
With two sides entering the AFLW competition in 2019 (Geelong and North Melbourne), there are more opportunities for young girls to be drafted into the competition.
Players must nominate what state they wish to play in, with Caris and Clarke having the option to stay in Victoria if they wish.
