Several Hawthorn VFLW prospects are in contention to find new homes ahead of the AFLW Draft on Tuesday night.

Hawthorn has cultivated a prosperous women’s football program over the past five years, highlighted by the club’s VFLW premiership success in 2018 and eight players being drafted by other AFLW teams.

It comes as Hawthorn submitted its bid for an AFLW licence earlier this month, which would see the club join the competition in Season Seven, commencing at the end of 2022.

The AFL is expected to inform clubs of its decision regarding the AFLW licenses following a Commission meeting next week.

Here is a look at some of the Hawks brightest prospects:

Young key forward duo sign on

Ashanti Bush

Hailing from Beswick, a small Indigenous community about 80km from Katherine in the Northern Territory, Bush enjoyed a short stint with Hawthorn in the VFLW this year, playing a handful of matches late in the season.

The 18-year-old, who has been touted to join the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW draft, has found her feet as a dangerous forward.

From the Next Generation Academy, Bush was selected in the 2021 NAB AFLW Academy Squad, with coaches labelling her as “highly talented”.

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My culture - Ashanti Bush

Hear the amazing cultural path of Ashanti Bush's family and the memories and experiences she goes to for connection to country.

Keeley Sherar

Known for her athleticism and blistering turn of pace, Sherar was a crucial part of the Eastern Ranges midfield with her impressive ball winning around the ground and work around stoppages.

She was played largely on the half-forward flank during the NAB AFLW U19 Championships with Victoria Metro.
 
After the Eastern Ranges bowed out in the preliminary final, the 17-year-old went on to represent Hawthorn in the VFLW for their final four matches of the season.
 

Cadhla Schmidli

Also hailing from the Eastern Ranges, Schmidli put on the brown and gold for the first time in VFLW's Round 13 this year.

A driving force in defence with an aerial presence, the 18-year-old was offered an invitation to the AFLW Draft Combine and featured in the Victoria Metro U19s team.

Read more about Hawthorn's VFLW side here

Grace McRae

The 19-year-old from West Creek near Wonthaggi was invited to the AFLW combine draft last year, but ultimately a lack of exposure due to the cancelled 2020 season was to her detriment. 

McRae is a relatively new convert to footy, exploding into the NAB AFLW competition in 2019 after making the switch from netball and basketball.

With a striking ability to tally clearances while pushing back hard to help the defence, the former Gippsland Power captain joined the VFLW Hawks this season.

Other possibilities:

  • Bridget Deed
  • Eloise Chaston
  • Izzy Khoury
  • Dom Carbone
  • Jenna Richardson
  • Tamara Luke
  • Kristy Stratton

 

Players will be tuning in from around the country tonight to find out if they've been successful in their quest to join an AFLW list.

The draft will be streamed live on the womens.afl website from 6.45pm, stay tuned for coverage on Hawthorn’s social media channels and website.