The Western Bulldogs have selected Northern Knights winger/forward Rylie Wilcox with their first selection (pick 21 overall) in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft.

The 17-year-old is a classy and crafty small midfielder or forward, who is known for her evasive skills, decision-making, blistering speed and footy smarts.

She averaged 20 disposals, five marks and three tackles per game in the NAB League in 2022, and was a member of the 2022 AFLW National Championships All-Australian team.

Wilcox is a late bloomer in women’s football, having played soccer and hockey growing up before trying her hand at football in 2018.

She played a strong role in the Under 23 All-Stars clash with the NAB AFLW Academy in May, kicking two goals and winning 14 disposals, and also represented Carlton in the VFLW this year.

Here’s AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan’s assessment of Wilcox:
Small forward/midfielder who reads the game particularly well, is clean with her ball handling and sets the game up using her great composure and vision. Has elite agility and is able to step through congestion and find space to give herself time to execute her skills with precision. Averaged 16 disposals, 4.3 inside 50s and three marks for Vic Metro winning All-Australian selection. Topped off her year being amongst the All-Stars best against the Australian U18 team at Punt Road recently having 14 disposals and kicking two goals.

Here’s what the 2022 AFLW Rookie Me Draft Guide had to say about Wilcox:
At 158cm, Rylie Wilcox has proven size to be no real barrier throughout her top-age campaign, thundering up draft boards to become one of the top Metro talents in Victoria.
Likened to new Essendon AFLW recruit Georgia Gee, the clever winger/forward offers a terrific turn of speed on the outside and is no stranger to hitting the scoreboard when rolling forward.
A key factor which sets Wilcox apart is her work rate. Playing in a NAB League region which finished bottom of its pool, she put in many a shift to help keep the Knights competitive.
While not afraid to have a crack, she wore a few scars, particularly with a rib injury which kept her sidelined. In the Under 18 National Championships, she was freed up on the wing and tore up the outer with that patented speed, giving good indication as to where she may be best suited at the next level.
Wilcox also featured up forward and hit the scoreboard with regularity towards the back-end of the season. Turning out for Vic Metro, the Under 23 All Stars and in Carlton’s VFLW side, she was good for at least a goal per game and found many avenues to the big sticks.
In addition to her speed and agility, Wilcox boasts another trait typical of small talents - smarts. Her decision making and spacial awareness are high level, and she is hardly fazed by the chaos of contested footy - despite her outside ability.
Overall, with top notch skills and exciting athletic traits, Wilcox is a player which every AFLW club will want and need.
The level of footy IQ and speed-endurance combination she offers loom as desirable assets to any club looking for a difference maker within the top 15 Victorian picks.

Rylie Wilcox profile
DOB: 03/12/2004
Height: 158cm
Position: Wing/Small forward
Former club: Northern Knights/Vic Metro