Mouncey awaiting draft call

THE AFL is set to make a historic ruling on whether a transgender player can take part in the AFL Women’s competition.

Former national men’s handball player Hannah Mouncey has nominated for Wednesday’s draft and is waiting to find out whether she will be eligible to be recruited.

The 27-year-old was part of the national handball side that competed to qualify for the Rio Olympics before undergoing hormone treatment.

At 190cm and 100kg, Mouncey has spent the past season playing in the ruck for Canberra’s Ainslie Tricolours, having been given approval to play in the women’s league. She has previously been found to be well within the testosterone limits permitted by the International Olympic Committee that the AFL has adopted for transgender athletes.

“I know that I am different, not necessarily in a good way or bad way,” Mouncey told the ABC’s Outer Sanctum podcast last month.

“People have said ‘with how big you are you’ll probably hold back a bit so you don’t hurt anyone’ and I’m like, ‘well no, I’m not going to hold back, that defeats the whole purpose’.

“I had my ribs broken in my last game so I know they can hit me as hard as I can hit them and do damage.”

Mouncey acknowledged she would inevitably face scrutiny but was prepared for any potential backlash.