Nickname:

Grace Egan, Gr-Eg, Greg.

It didn’t take Egan long to get pinned with the nickname Greg, but once she got it there was no going back.

Draft day recap:

Egan would have been the most relaxed players in the room on draft day, the former Murray Bushranger and Richmond VFLW product already a Blue before the day began.

With the Blues eager to secure the talented midfielder, Egan was selected more than a month before the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Draft with Carlton’s pick No.13 as part of the AFLW Academy bidding process.

Swapping the yellow and black for the Navy Blue proved the steal of the of the trade and draft period, but it was a moment the youngster will never forget.

“I was just bawling my eyes out to be honest,” Egan said.

“I just wanted to tell my Dad because he’s just my No.1 supporter. I Facetimed him because I wanted him to see me bawling, and he’s like ‘Why are you crying? What’s going on?’”

First appearance:

Egan wasted no time in establishing herself as one of the competition’s best up and coming midfielders, making her debut in the Navy Blue in the 2020 season opener.

The pressure was on for the newcomer from the first bounce - the nerves of a first AFLW appearance made all the more intense facing a Richmond side fielded primarily by her former VFLW teammates.

Eager to show the Tigers what they missed out on, the midfielder collected 11 disposals and six tackles against her former side.

From there, any opening nerves disappeared and the first-year Blue went on to play the remaining seven matches of the season.

Make sure to follow @carltonfc_w on Instagram for more from the team

Best performance:

There was plenty to play for when the Blues made their way to Adelaide to face the reigning premiers and their 2019 Grand Final opponent.

In a match that started out in the Crows favour, it was the youngsters that stood up to make sure the Blues redeemed themselves – Egan at the forefront of that group.

Taking the game into her own hands, Egan proved the difference with 18 disposals, six marks and four tackles. 

It was a performance that would not go unnoticed as the 19 year old earned a 2020 NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination.

Best moment on social:

The Blues love to get around a Rising Star nomination at Ikon Park, and Egan’s was no different.

But the sneaky look at the camera before Harf’s announcement suggested the midfielder was quietly confident with her chances.