A FORTNIGHT after being selected in the 2023 AFLW Supplementary Draft, Madeline Hendrie has officially arrived at IKON Park. 

The New South Wales native was selected at pick No.9, having been on the Western Bulldogs’ VFLW list but yet to play a game. 

At home in Sydney when she was selected, Hendrie admitted it all feels more real now that she’s at the home of the Carlton Football Club.

“It’s very surreal – I can’t quite believe it,” Hendrie said. 

“Uni brought me down to earth [after being selected]. I wasn’t up with the fairies for too long, but walking back in here today, I’m right back up.” 

Playing her junior footy with the Swans Academy, the 20-year-old also had the chance to train on with the inaugural Sydney AFLW side. 

As well as playing with her university team, Hendrie had delivered some quality football at representative level that made her stand out to recruiters.

“The Swans Academy was really good – I was a train on in their inaugural season which was a great thing to be a part of,” she said.

“Playing in the premier division for my university was also a great experience.”

The 180cm ruck, who can also play up forward, has a background in athletics – unsurprisingly, her talents lie in high jump and track running. 

Referencing her late growth spurt as a key factor behind her biggest strength, Hendrie made the switch to football as soon as the option became available to her. 

“I grew relatively late: I used to be pretty short so I grew up playing centre in netball and doing the 100m sprints,” she said.  

“When I sprouted and grew, my athleticism stayed with me, so that’s why I have the combination of speed with the height. High jump obviously helped me in the ruck, and then I made the switch when I was 16, when [women’s football] became available in Sydney.” 

Eager to learn from the likes of All-Australian ruck Brea Moody and developing ruck partner Jess Good, Hendrie hopes to spend as much time as possible absorbing information from the duo. 

Loving to be in amongst the action, Hendrie doesn’t mind what position she plays — as long as she’s providing an option for her team.

“I just met ‘Moods’ and she seems like a great girl . . . I’m pretty excited to shadow them, I’m going to annoy them and just be a pest!

“I love taking marks and being a part of it, so wherever the ball is, I’m happy to be.”