'It's a dream come true': Isabella Simmons reflects on an ;amazing' week after being selected in AFLW 2020 draft

The 18-year-old said when her name was called out on Tuesday night, she jumped around her living room screaming.

Simmons was made to wait until the almost the end of the selection process, her name read out at pick 48 for the Melbourne Football Club, out of a possible 61 draftees on the night.

Over 600 players had nominated for the draft.

CLICK HERE TO READ WHAT ISABELLA HAD TO SAY BEFORE THE DRAFT

Simmons said it was a long night waiting for her name to be called.

"There are so many talented girls out there and all vying for a spot at a club," she said.

"If I didn't get picked up I would be pretty upset but it would make me push harder and try harder.

"But to get picked up is a pretty cool feeling."

Simmons said the thought that she was now an AFLW player hadn't sunk in.

"It doesn't seem like it's real - it's pretty remarkable and incredible that I've gone all the way and have now been drafted," she said.

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"All the sacrifices I've made along the way. I just love football and always put every opportunity I had to play first.

"I remember I would play a game on a Saturday and friends would be catching up that night and I couldn't go because I would be too stuffed.

"Sacrifices, not just from me but from my Mum and family have paid off - and I'm grateful for those who helped me along the way. It's a celebration for all those people."

Simmons said she was grateful to have the opportunities in football throughout her career.

"Starting in female football at Ararat Storm was a great first stepping stone and set me up for the future," she said.

"My first coach in girls football Krystal Cameron has reached out and congratulated me which was a great feeling. I've had so many messages of support and well wishes it's hard to thank everyone.

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"I really enjoyed my early footy days and the girls were really supportive of me. We won a couple of premierships as well - it was a really good start to my football journey."

The tall midfielder/forward said she contributes part of her running style of football to her previous success in little athletics.

"I was pretty competitive and loved my time competing at little aths," she said.

"I went to regional and state competitions multiple times.

"I've always had that natural ability and my Mum was really good at athletics when she was at school and my age.

RELATED: Simmons secures AFLW draft combine invitation

"Doing athletics at such a young age I think it really helped set me up for a football career - not that I knew that then."

Simmons said when she got to about the age of 12, she decided to move into a team sport.

"The competition started to wear off and girls were dropping off so there weren't as many athletes around," she said.

"I was playing netball at the same time as athletics.

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"I took up basketball that led into football and the rest they say is history."

Simmons said she met with the Melbourne football club via a Zoom meeting where she was introduced and officially welcomed by the club.

"I can't wait to get started and get to training with the girls," she said.

"But obviously I have school and exams for a few more weeks and the club has told me they understand school is first.

"I'm hoping to get to a few training sessions as soon as I can.

"It's all moving pretty fast. I didn't get much sleep Tuesday night because I just lied there thinking about it all night."

Simmons was selected by Melbourne alongside fellow Greater Western Victorian Rebels player Maggie Caris.

"To got to Melbourne with a familiar face in Maggie is exciting," she said.

"I'm keen to be her teammate again."

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