MELBOURNE has boosted its list at Wednesday night’s 2022 NAB AFLW Draft, welcoming three new players to the club.

The Demons headed into the night with four picks – No.44, No.49, No.72 and No.79. During the draft, the club used their first three picks to select Maeve Chaplin, Samantha Johnson and Georgia Gall, before passing on their final selection. 

Melbourne’s AFLW List Manager Todd Patterson said the club was pleased with the final outcome of the night, adding a number of talented players to the group. 

“It’s always an exciting opportunity to bring some more players into the AFLW system and we were able to reward some players who really deserve it," Patterson told Melbourne Media.

"They’ll add to our competitiveness heading into season seven, so we’re really excited with the outcome and I think we’ve got a good blend of different positions and personalities."

Chaplin's selection kick-started the night, chosen with pick No.44. She is a welcome addition to the team having spent time on the list during last season.

The 19-year-old began her journey with Melbourne at the start of 2022, signing on late into the pre-season, with an injury to former Demon Issy Simmons creating an opening on the side’s list.

Chaplin was unfortunately delisted at the end of May during the AFLW’s sign and trade period, but continued to make an impressive impact at VFLW playing for the Casey Demons.

“It’s fantastic to bring Maeve back on to the list,” Patterson said.

“She had an interrupted preparation for last season, with a head knock and starting late in the pre-season.

“So, it’s great for her to get another opportunity especially after performing strongly for Casey in the VFLW.”

Melbourne then used their pick No.49 to select Samantha Johnson, the Casey Demons’ 2022 skipper.

Johnson is a much-loved individual at the Casey Demons and is considered one of their most tenacious midfielders.

“It’s a great story for the Casey Demons program, they’ve put in a lot of work and so has Sammie herself,” Patterson said.  

“She’s an absolute competitor, she can play midfield or defence and she’s going to give it everything.

“We were really proud to be able call her name out and provide her a really special moment.”

The club’s final pick of the night was used to draft Georgia Gall, who joins the AFLW as a cross-code talent, coming over from the Melbourne Stars list in the WBBL.

The 17-year-old was a talented junior footballer and standing at 180cm tall, will be an exciting prospect coming out of Geelong Grammar.

“We think she can play multiple areas of the ground; she has played football as a junior albeit limited, but after catching up with her and trialling her, she’s a terrific young woman,” Patterson said.

“We know that she’ll be fast-tracked in our program and she’s a really exiting proposition for us.”