CHLOE Leonard was one of the shining lights of the GWV Rebels' run to the preliminary final this season, but she insists her hopes for the AFLW National Draft next week lie with her teammates.
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Leonard, who has been playing at Geelong's VFLW team since the conclusion of the Rebels season isn't holding out too much hope of being drafted into the AFLW, but she's confident a host of her teammates will get through to clubs on July 27.
"I think Ella Friend should go well," she said. "Her contested marking sets her apart from the other girls.
"Just the way she comes through the packs from the other girls, it's her aerial ability, kicking and footy smarts.
"Nike (Nyakoat Dojiok) is also in the academy, so hopefully she gets picked up as well, her athleticism is outstanding.
"Then you've got Tahlia Meier who was invited to the combine, and then there is Lilli Condon who was incredibly unlucky to miss out.
"Lilli has been playing with the Bulldogs and she is an awesome player, I'd love so much to see her name called out."
Possessing outstanding leadership, Leonard, from Glenlyon was an obvious co-captain at the Rebels this year.
And despite running around with the Geelong VFLW side as they go deep into their own finals campaign, she personally doesn't hold out huge hopes of hearing her own name called.
"To be honest, I'm not really sure, I was very happy with how we went at the Rebels this year, my focus has been on them, and we had a very good season," she said.
"(Being co-captain) was good, we have such a great group of girls in the team.
"There was a good spread of older girls and younger girls, it should be very exciting for the group going forward." The Cats were due to play Essendon in the VFLW preliminary final at the weekend, but the game was called off due to the latest lockdown.
She said she had been training alongside many of the Cats AFLW stars.
"I get a bit starstruck out there, it's so great to be able to work with them," she said, "I hope I can keep up most of the time."
Studying to be a secondary teacher, Leonard said she would continue playing football no matter what happens next weeks.
"I play footy because I love it, not to get drafted," she said. "I'm playing a bit at Geelong at the moment, hopefully I can keep getting a game and we'll just have to wait and see.
"Hopefully I can get a chance to come back with them again next year.
"It's great learning from those girls, the bigger bodies, training at the higher levels, it's incredible."