Hawthorn AFLW draftee Mattea Breed was just heading in for a regular gym session with her SANFLW team, North Adelaide when she received the opportunity of a lifetime.
Her strength and conditioning coach had initially turned the TV on to see if Roosters teammate Katelyn Pope’s name would get read out by Port Adelaide at Pick 2 during the AFLW Season Eight supplementary draft.
Instead, it was Breed’s name that came first at Pick 4 (Pope would be drafted by Port Adelaide later on at Pick 12), prompting a reaction to remember for the talented utility.
“We thought we would go out (onto the track) and get ready when all of a sudden, my name was called out at number four,” Breed said.
“It was a bit of a surprise and very surreal, I couldn’t really believe it.
“I nearly vomited on the floor!”
After avoiding letting her emotions literally spill out, Breed was straight onto the phone with her new coach, Bec Goddard.
Where’s the best place to be on draft night? 🤔
— Hawthorn FC AFLW (@hawthornaflw) April 5, 2023
The gym! 💪
Check out Mattea Breed’s priceless draft reaction 😂 pic.twitter.com/NjWFLnfzd1
“The first call I got was from Bec,” Breed recounted.
“I had a chat with her and was just trying to process it all.
“Then I called my Dad, he was already bawling his eyes out on the phone, super excited.
“After that, I called Mum and had a chat with her.
“Then I called my coach from North Adelaide and told her I couldn’t play anymore so she was a bit devastated, but she was obviously super excited for me.
“Then I went home and watched a replay of Married At First Sight - the final episode!”
Breed’s footy journey began in Darwin, where she spent most of her career with the Darwin Buffaloes before going on to play for Southern Districts, whom she won a premiership with.
During that season, the 21-year-old had moved to Adelaide and was travelling back and forth between the two states, playing for the Crocs and Norwood in the SANFLW.
After spending two seasons at the Redlegs, Breed took a year off SANFLW footy before lacing up the boots with North Adelaide - the team which she was drafted from.
Now in the brown and gold, Breed hopes to impress fans with her aerial ability and hunger at the contest.
“I’ve got a good overhead mark which is a good attribute to have as a forward,” she said.
“In the midfield, I’m super physical, I like to play pretty tough and strong so I think that’ll hopefully bring an element of excitement for the fans.
“Hopefully they enjoy seeing a bit of biff!”
