Ellie coming home with a new dream
FOUR years after leaving Tasmania for Victoria to pursue her soccer dream, Ellie Gavalas will return home in 2020 ready to showcase her talents in another code.
The Hobart-born and bred talent yesterday became the state’s highest ever AFLW draft selection when North Melbourne took the budding midfield star with its 10th selection. It capped a meteoric rise for the 23-year-old, who left Olympia Warriors in 2015 for Heidelberg United and only made the switch to AFL at the start of last year.
However her natural ability shone through in her debut season in the VFLW with the Western Bulldogs, where she was crowned the club’s best and fairest while also earning selection in AFL Victoria’s VFLW Team of the Year.
“I don’t know if it can be quantified, but it is crazy to think that this time two years ago I was just finishing up a soccer season,” Gavalas told the Mercury. “This time last year I was looking to try and get on a VFL list, it is pretty cool to think I’m now on an AFL list.
“[This year] was beyond my wildest dreams, I have had an awesome year at the Bulldogs and couldn’t thank them enough for the support they have given me. I’m definitely happy with the year, it has been a massive shock.”
Gavalas said while soccer has always been in her blood — she played the world game from age six — she had a love of footy and would often kick the Sherrin with her dad and brother.
A move to Marcellin Old Collegians in the Victorian
Amateur Football Association fuelled the passion and she hasn’t look back, and will now get to play in front of family and friends with the Roos’ partnership with Tasmania.
“I was going to change [sports] the year before but I ended up staying with soccer … once I picked up the footy at training I was happy with that.
“It is unbelievable, I can’t believe I will be playing with North Melbourne, who is affiliated with Hobart where I grew up and spent the first 18 years of my life.”
Gavalas was one of three Tasmanians who joined the Roos on draft day, with Launceston duo Mia King (49) and Abbey Green (79) also earning a crack at the big time.
For Green, it completes her transformation from former basketballer who underwent a knee reconstruction in 2015 and was told she might never return to top-flight sport.
“It was a long wait but it was worth it, I was over the moon when my name got called out,” said Green, who had to wait until North’s final pick to learn her fate.
“I had an ACL reconstruction and didn’t think I would play sport again, so to make it to the AFLW is phenomenal for me.”
ANOTHER draft is done and three more Tasmanians will be playing footy at the highest level. North Melbourne spearhead Ben Brown (centre) yesterday celebrated with Mia King (pick 49, left) and Ellie Gavalas (pick 10, right) after they were selected by the Kangaroos at the AFLW draft in Melbourne. The other Tasmanian selected was Abbey Green (pick 79), who also went to North Melbourne.