Former Jindera junior Emma Mackie’s punt to return to football has paid huge dividends with the midfielder being drafted by AFLW club Western Bulldogs.
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Mackie, who retired from elite cycling in 2012, was snapped up with pick 27 after winning Box Hill’s best and fairest earlier this month.
“It can’t explain what it feels like,” Mackie, 33, said.
“It’s crazy.
“I’m off to Whitten Oval now and my head is just spinning.”
Mackie played under-14s and 17s at Jindera with her brother and Albury star, Joel, before turning to cycling and securing contracts with overseas teams.
She represented Australia at the 2009 UCI Road World Championships.
“I’ve always loved being involved in elite sport and when the AFL Women’s competition came in I thought I’d give it a crack,” she said.
“I had played for the Port Colts which was more of a fun, social competition and decided to try out with Box Hill Hawks.
“I made the list and it went from there.
“I’ve loved it with Box Hill and can’t wait for AFLW to start.”
Mackie and Kristy Stratton (Collingwood) were the only Box Hill players drafted.
“I gave myself a 50-50 chance,” she said.
“There were a few Chinese whispers about and you hear things during the season with scouts always coming around.
“Even though I won the best and fairest last week and was quite happy with my season, I’m a bit older than most of the girls and you don’t know what some clubs are looking for.”
