Western Bulldogs draftee Monique Conti is no stranger to professional sport.

The 17-year-old Melbourne Boomers guard has juggled basketball and football for the past seven years and is looking forward to continuing both sports at the elite level in 2018.

Representing Australia for Basketball at both an under-17 and under-19 level, Conti has fast become a popular name in the basketball community.

In her first year with the Women’s National Basketball League, Conti was recognised as the WNBL Rookie of the Year after a stand out season with the Melbourne Boomers.

Named best on ground for her impressive performance with the Calder Cannons in their 94-point victory in Round One, Conti was an unstoppable force in the forward line, kicking three goals.

Conti shared her excitement toward joining the Bulldogs while continuing with the Melbourne Boomers in 2018.

“I’ve got a lot of support around me from the Melbourne Boomers and now the Bulldogs, so they’re both aware of my commitments with my basketball and AFLW,” Conti told the Maribyrnong Leader.

“Also, the support from my family, they want me to do both and pursue my dreams with both side of things.” 

The Year 12 student has dreamed of playing football professionally since she first picked up a footy at 10 years old.

“I started football when I was about 10 years old and from there I always wanted to play AFL, but could never do it.  Now there is a pathway… and I’m standing here being drafted to an AFLW club.  It was a dream all along to play WNBL and AFLW at the highest level.”

Monique Conti was the Club’s second selection at overall pick 4 at the 2017 NAB AFLW Draft, last Wednesday.