Club recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers/Ashburton
Position: Forward
Height: 179cm
DOB: 18 April 2006
Strong, athletic and competitive.
With Pick 8 in the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft, the Bulldogs have selected Emma McDonald from the Oakleigh Chargers.
The talented forward was one of the highest-rated players of the 2024 draft class, with her aerial prowess and ground-level game seen as two of the youngster’s strongest assets.
McDonald’s rise to the top of the draft is only made more impressive after making the switch from the basketball courts to the football field at the beginning of 2022.
It didn’t take the 18-year-old long to make an impression at an Under-16s level, earning a spot at a representative level in the Yarra Junior Football League and eventually a spot for the Chargers.
Heading into 2024, McDonald already had an impressive resumé including two premierships with the Chargers and a championship title with Vic Metro.
McDonald’s strong aerial presence, athleticism and ability to use her body in the contest saw her kick 18 goals from 13 appearances in the Coates League, while also averaging 14.8 disposals and 4.9 marks per game.
While predominantly playing forward, McDonald also displayed her versatility moving down back for two games during the season.
What they said? – Sarah Black, AFL.com.au
“Top of the pure key forward power rankings at this draft, McDonald is a safe and reliable prospect for anyone who picks her up. A noted goalkicker at under-18 level, her overhead and contested marking is her biggest strength, and she leads strongly for the footy”
