In a history making, inaugural National Women’s League AFL Draft, Sydney University Women’s AFL Club star trio, Nicola Barr, Erin McKinnon and Stephanie Walker were all picked by the Greater Western Sydney Giants (GWS) for the 2017 season.
The live-broadcast event saw speedy-midfielder Barr, bestowed the honour of Number One pick in the 145 strong women’s player draft. The last twelve months has been meteoric for Barr who claimed the 2016 Mostyn Medal, awarded to the Women’s Premier Division best and fairest. Fellow Sydney University Bomber, Sera Kaukiono finished in third place. Barr was named the 2015 AFL Sydney Women’s Rising Star.
Barr, 20 years old, is studying a medical science degree at the University of Sydney. Joining Barr at GWS will be 189 cm Ruck, McKinnon who enjoyed a dominant 2016 season, making the All Australian side. As hard as it is to believe, McKinnon began sitting her first HSC exam, English, the day after she was picked- up by GWS in the Draft. The third Bomber’s GWS selection was 161cm Midfielder, Walker. While encountering injury trouble in 2016, pocket–rocket Walker is a dynamic player always looking to attack. All three blue and gold legends were instrumental in taking the Bombers to the 2016 grand final only to go down to the University of NSW Eastern Suburbs Stingrays.
The talented trio cannot stop smiling about this enormous opportunity to play in the first ever National AFL Women’s League, due to start February 2017. The eight teams competing are GWS Giants; Brisbane Lions; Carlton; Fremantle; Collingwood; Western Bulldogs; Adelaide and Melbourne. Each team will have a top roster of twenty-five players.
It is a massive compliment for the Sydney University Women’s AFL Club programme and Women’s AFL in NSW that Barr was Number One Draft pick and will start the next phase of her sporting journey at GWS with two Bomber teammates. All three players have earned progression to the big stage through their dedication and silky skills.
SUSF extends our warmest congratulations to Nicola, Erin and Stephanie and we look forward with excitement to following your AFL careers.
