Top pick’s shock visitor

It was an interesting way to find out, says Bulldog Huntington

ISABEL Huntington is good at keeping secrets.

The AFLW’s No.1 draft pick was shocked when there was a knock at the door on Tuesday night and Western Bulldogs coach Paul Groves was standing there.

Groves delivered the news the Bulldogs would be taking the 18-year-old rising star with the first pick.

Then Huntington had to keep a lid on it.

“I had to put on my acting skills a bit for this morning, but we got there in the end and it’s just nice to be able to celebrate with everyone now,” she said.

“I had a knock at the door and opened it up to a group of Paul Groves, Mick Sandry, Chris Grant and about four cameras, so I wasn’t expecting that. It was an interesting way of finding out, it was very exciting.”

Huntington endured a broken leg in 2015 and missed all of this season after injuring her ACL last year, so the lid was off yesterday, with the 180cm forward, who can play in the midfield or down back, celebrating the occasion.

“I’m just more and more hungry for it and I can’t wait to get into it,” she said. “I’m pretty honoured that they picked me that highly. I would say there’s a degree of pressure always with the No.1 draft pick — but I think once you get into the club it shakes off a bit and I’ll be fine hopefully.”

Today, it is back to school where the St Michaels Grammar school captain will graduate before starting her Year 12 exams in two weeks.

The Bulldogs were the big winners on draft day, securing Huntington and WNBL Melbourne Boomers point guard Monique Conti. Conti will bolster a Dogs midfield alongside fellow Whitten Oval draftee, impressive VFLW onballer Jenna Bruton.

Melbourne sprung a surprise by taking forward Eden Zanker as Victoria’s fourth pick. It was expected defender Darcy Guttridge would be selected before Zanker, but the Magpies were thrilled she slipped to the fifth Victorian pick, where they swooped.

Collingwood also secured classy forward Chloe Molloy and Collingwood netballer Ash Brazill.

The Demons landed former WNBL Boomer Tegan Cunningham.

Carlton had traded away several of its picks during the exchange period so had to wait until selection six of the Victorian talent where they opted for Georgie Gee. They also drafted Bridie Kennedy with their final pick. Kennedy was highly rated ahead of the draft after shining at the combine with the Blues thrilled she was available so late.

After the draft, the Bulldogs signed 19-year-old West Australian defender Rachel Ashley as a free agent.

“Rachel is a versatile defender who excels at intercept marking and rebounding,” Groves said. “She has the ability to play tall and will provide us with another quality option in our back half.”