AFLW TEAM MAY ONE DAY PAY KING’S RANSOM FOR CLAIRE
TEENAGE sensation Claire Ransom is one of four Tasmanian girls who will be put through their paces at the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft Combine with a 2km run in the state-based testing days on Wednesday.
Ransom, 18, will be tested at the Domain Athletics Track, while her Devils teammates Meghan Gaffney, Candice Belbin and Madison Brazendale will all be tested at Penguin Athletics Track.
Ransom’s form as Devils vice-captain caught the eye of AFLW clubs with Gold Coast Suns, Greater Wester Sydney and North Melbourne having already spoken to her.
“It’s really exciting to be invited to the Draft Combine,” she said. “I’m just looking forward to it now.”
Ransom has known for the past two weeks she would be tested against the lock for her running ability.
“My fitness is not too bad right now. I came back from a stress fracture injury in my foot not long along so I’m still working on it,” she said.
“But I’m feeling pretty confident about it.
“I’ve always been more of an endurance runner than a sprinter and the 2km is in between so I’m hoping I go OK.”
Like Gaffney, Belbin and Brazendale, Ransom is hoping her name gets called at the AFLW Draft.
“It would mean a lot,” she said.
“It’s something I have been pursuing for a while now so it would be amazing if it happens.”
The AFL named 106 players to test ahead of the AFLW Draft on June 29.
The reduction in testing at this year’s Combine took into consideration changes to AFLW timelines, the amount of pre-season testing conducted nationally earlier this year and state league finals being staged in the leadup to the draft.
AFL Talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan said players invited to the Draft Combine represented the next crop of AFLW stars.
“We are very excited about the high level of talent within this group of future stars of the AFLW,” Sheehan said.
“The 2022 version of the NAB AFLW Draft Combine will be shorter than those held in previous years, however the on-field performance of this group of players over the past season has provided a great indication that they will have a huge impact on the NAB AFLW competition.”