ELLA Friend has a lot going on right now. Trying to complete her Ballarat Grammar VCE studies in lockdown is one thing, but trying not to think about the AFLW draft as well is making life quite the challenge.
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The 17-year-old from Horsham was one of the many shining lights of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels this season.
A key-position prospect with strong hands and powerful kick, Friend is touted as one of a host of big chances from the Rebels program to be selected in the AFLW draft which is to be held next week.
It's now up clubs to make their mind up on the host of talented youngsters throughout the country.
For her part, Friend has done everything she could to put her name in front of selectors.
"I started footy when I was five, it's always been a dream since I was young," she said.
"When I was younger I always had the belief that an AFLW league would come into play.
"I've been so lucky, I've been the perfect age all the way through, all the pathways just rolled in front of me.
"I never had to stop playing footy. Once I stopped playing against the boys a new girls league started, it's been perfect."
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And she's well and truly versed with football speak, having spent much of the season swinging between centre half forward and centre half back. She said she felt comfortable "in whatever position the coaches want me to play".
Friend, along with Rebels teammates Nyakoat Dojiok, Tahlia Meier and Lilli Condon lined up with the Western Bulldogs in the VFLW, a team which just missed the finals on percentage.
Rebels co-captain Chloe Leonard is still alive in the finals race, with her Geelong side scheduled for a preliminary final against Essendon when lockdown ends.
All five are being spoken about as potential draftees next Tuesday.
Friend, who schools at Ballarat Grammar, is spending the lockdown time back home in Horsham.
She said he was doing her utmost to keep her fitness up to a high level.
"I've just been trying to do stuff at home, running and skills work," she said.
"'I've been talking with the strength and conditioning coaches at the Rebels, and we've been working through some things."
She said she couldn't speak highly enough of the Rebels program.
"It was awesome, we weren't predicted to do as well as we did and now they've got a such a strong base of players coming through, it's really put the club on the map," she said.
One thing that is likely is that should she be drafted, it will most likely be to a Victorian team with the AFLW players able to nominate a preferred state. The AFLW draft is scheduled for July 27.