SALE City veteran Holly Whitford has been drafted as a rookie for Collingwood’s AFLW team.
The news was a shock for 18-year-old Whitford, a massive Collingwood fan.
“When they called me up, I thought I was in a dream,” she said.
Whitford has been playing for Cranbourne in the VFLW, impressing scouts across the season and at the national competition in Queensland.
Whitford said she planning on doing everything she can to make sure she’s the first pick for the seniors list.
“If someone’s put on the long-term injury list, then I need to be promoted to the senior list in order to play,” she said.
“I’m still doing full training, with full access and everything else, the same as all the other girls, there’s just a slightly different chance of playing – that doesn’t bother me, because I’m just going to train the house down.”
An added highlight is best mate Darcy Guttridge, a stand-out player from Traralgon, also being drafted to the Magpies.
“She’s a Collingwood supporter as well, so we said it’d be a dream come true for both of us to be drafted to our favourite club,” she said.
“Little did we know, it would actually come true — two best friends from Gippsland going to the same club, and we’re both supporters.”
Whitford will soon move to the city to begin training four times a week, before the season begins in February.
She described meeting the team as almost overwhelming.
“It’s so weird, two weeks ago I’d be looking at these girls like they’re my idols, and now they’re my teammates,” she said.
“I met Moana Hope the other day, and Eddie McGuire — he’s not much taller than me, we were just in the stadium and he walked in, he shook my hand, I thought ‘this is ridiculous’.”
Her dad Bill is an even bigger Collingwood fan than she is, and mentioned Melbourne was also gunning for her.
“I’m just very proud, it’s made my day,” he said, after his phone stopped playing the Collingwood theme song.
Whitford hoped to still support Sale City, especially as it builds its first youth girls team.
“I’m so happy they’re finally playing teams down here,” she said.
“I’ll be at the meet and greet for that, answering questions about the pathways for girls.
“I’d love to see two Sale City teams down here, I’m going to help them out as much as I can because they’ve done so much for me over the years, it’s time to give back.”
To get involved in Sale City’s new under 18 squad, head to the meet and greet at the Lakeside Bowls Club on Thursday, November 9 from 5pm.
Whitford’s advice is simple for any girls looking to play footy.
“Don’t stop, don’t give up — if you want it, go get it.”
