Olivia Barber itching to meet new and former teammates at Geelong

The Lavington footballer was taken with pick 21 in the AFLW draft on Tuesday and is excited to join former Murray Bushrangers teammates Becky Webster and Millie Brown at Kardinia Park.

It's been an incredible transition for Barber from NBL1 club Albury-Wodonga Bandits as a talented basketballer and also a stint as an Ovens and Murray netballer to the highest level of women's football.

"I don't even know how to explain it," she said after being selected by Geelong.

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"In previous years I would have known who I was going to be selected by, but with everything happening I didn't really have an idea.

"It is a draft and it all depends on what the clubs are feeling on the night to be honest.

"I knew a few were interested, but I wasn't certain or guaranteed to be getting picked up by a club.

"It was a bit like Christmas, it was a big surprise and I'm really stoked with the outcome."

Barber revealed there were some added nerves given she didn't even get one full game of football in this year after being concussed in the Bushies' season opener against Oakleigh Chargers back in March, before COVID-19 intervened.

"It was very different this year and I didn't get to do the combine either. I only got to run the two-kilometre time trial," she added.

"It's hard to explain because I'm still very overwhelmed with what's happened and how it's all happened.

"I can't wait to get out there and play professional sport and be a professional athlete, which I've been striving towards for a long time now. It's going to be great fun."

Webster was selected by the Cats in the 2018 draft, while Brown, who captained the Bushrangers last year, was the club's very first father-daughter selection, with her father, Paul, playing 84 games for Geelong in his nine seasons at AFL level.

"My first year I played alongside Becky and Millie and last year it was just Millie," Barber said.

"I'm stoked to be playing with them.

"I've gotten messages from just about every player at Geelong and a few of the boys as well."

Barber is itching to get an opportunity to perform at AFLW level in any position, but believes her strongest asset is playing as a forward.

She is set to commence pre-season training with the Cats on November 4, two days after her final HSC exam.

"I have to finish my HSC exams first and will look to move down there. They start on October 20 and finish on November 2, so it's going to be pretty hectic," Barber added.

Murray Bushrangers talent manager Mick Wilson has been pleased with the success of the girls program, which has produced an AFLW drafted player every year since 2017.

"It's a good achievement to see girls living in southern NSW and country Victoria go on and play at the highest level," he added.