Collier, 19, was taken by the Bulldogs with pick #9 in Wednesday’s mini-draft, one of only ten selections made.
An All-Australian at Youth Girls level two years ago, the hard-nosed utility has worked incredibly hard to put herself in the frame for draft selection.
An impressive showing as one of five NSW/ACT products invited to play a screening match with Victoria Country earlier in the year put Collier in the crosshairs of Bulldogs head coach Craig Starcevich, and the former Collingwood premiership star was compelled to pull the trigger on her selection after a standout game for NSW/ACT against Starcevich’s Queensland side on Sunday.
A tough and uncompromising competitior, Collier consistently plays above her size, gathering plenty of contested ball, and racking up high tackle numbers.
Adding to Collier’s appeal as a footballer is her versatility.
She is as comfortable in the clinches as an inside midfielder as she is rebounding from a half-back flank, putting her speed and raking right boot to good use.
AFL NSW/ACT Female Programs Manager Libby Sadler praised Collier’s work ethic.
“Being drafted is fantastic recognition of Maddy's hard work and talent, this year in particular she has been very professional and committed to her football, and this is just reward for that effort," Sadler said.
"The opportunity for Maddy to be exposed to the environment and facilities of a professional AFL club is invaluable, and I have no doubt she will prosper as a result of spending time in such an elite environment.
"Maddy's selection is one example of the great things to come in female football from the NSW/ACT region, with participation on the rise, and more talent than ever coming through club football and progressing through the ranks."
Collier will join another NSW/ACT product in Bulldogs colours, with Canberra’s Heather Anderson retained in the side after an impressive first exhibition game at the MCG in May.
The Bulldogs were edged by eight points in that match, and they’ll be looking to even the ledger in the second and final exhibition match, to be played on August 16 at Etihad Stadium.
The match will be held as the curtain-raiser to the round 20 Western Bulldogs-Melbourne AFL game, and televised live on Channel 7 and 7Mate, for the first time.
2015 AFL women's mini-draft: all selections
1. Western Bulldogs
Brianna Davey (St Kilda, VIC)
2. Melbourne
Brittany Bonnici (St Kilda, VIC)
3. Western Bulldogs
Tahlia Randall (Nambour-Maroochydore, QLD)
4. Melbourne
Sabrina Frederick-Traub (South Fremantle, WA)
5. Western Bulldogs
Caitlyn Edwards (East Fremantle, WA)
6. Melbourne
Tiarna Ernst (Diamond Creek, VIC)
7. Western Bulldogs
Emma Humphries (Burnie Dockers, TAS)
8. Melbourne
Jenna Bruton (St Kilda, VIC)
9. Western Bulldogs
Maddy Collier (UNSW/ES, NSW/ACT)
10. Melbourne
Jessica Dal Pos (Darebin, VIC)
Last Modified on 22/07/2015 15:17
