Hawthorn has had a successful day at the 2019 AFLW draft, with seven of its VFLW players drafted to senior lists. 

The Hawks boasted the largest draft export of any of the VFLW clubs.

Hawthorn’s best and fairest recipient Rosie Dillon was the first player to be selected in today’s draft, with the 23-year-old picked up by St Kilda with pick 24. 

Young gun Laura McClelland, who spent most of the year playing for affiliated club Eastern Ranges, was selected by Richmond with pick 25.

Captain Tamara Luke was chosen with pick 33 and will be joining Dillon at St Kilda, with Serena Gibbs heading to Carlton with pick 44 and Jordan Membrey going to Collingwood via pick 74.

Both Talia Radan and Chantella Perera were selected with picks 92 and 101 and will be travelling to expansion club West Coast Eagles. 

Football Operations and Strategy Manager Rob McCartney says the draft result is a testament to the professional program Hawthorn has created.

“We’re so excited for all the girls drafted to AFLW clubs today,” McCartney said.

“It’s a fantastic result for each individual, and a great reflection of our program here at Hawthorn.

“While we’re hopeful the Hawks will have our own AFLW team in the near future, our goal in the meantime has been to create an elite environment that mirrors an AFLW program.

“We want them to be able to come to Hawthorn, fast track their development within our professional environment, before hopefully being picked up by an AFLW club.

“We wish Rosie, Laura, Tamara, Serena, Jordan, Talia and Chantella all the best for the 2020 AFLW season.”

The pool of seven draftees was the largest in Hawthorn’s history of women’s football, with the players joining the likes of Jayde Van Dyk, Mikala Cann, Emerson Woods, Kristy Stratton and Emma Mackie who all developed through Hawthorn’s ranks before joining AFLW clubs.