BARISTA Gabby Colvin was making coffees at work when her name was read out with pick No.77 in the AFLW Draft.

Three hours later, she was out on the track with her teammates and making a strong first impression.

The bubbly, passionate character was quick to pull on the red and blue and couldn’t be happier to finally be called an AFLW player.

“It’s so crazy, I can’t believe it – I’m over the moon,” Colvin told Melbourne Media.

“I can’t sit still. It’s so good. I’m so excited.”

Colvin joined a number of the Melbourne players at AAMI Park on Tuesday, familiarising herself with her new teammates and new home.

But fortunately for the 175cm defender, she already has a strong connection with a portion of the side.

“I know a couple of the girls … from Darebin Falcons so I’m pretty excited to get on track with them,” Colvin said.

“They’re like family to me, I’ve really enjoyed it there and I’ve learnt so much.

“They’ve got a great culture and I’ve heard that Melbourne has very similar values and the same kind of culture, so I’m excited to get down here and give it a crack.”

The 28-year-old has had to earn her chance the hard way, playing the past three years with Darebin in the VFLW.

While she had hoped her opportunity would come earlier, an ACL injury prior to the inaugural AFLW Draft proved to be a major setback.

“I really struggled with that, but it made me stronger and I really got my body into better shape,” she said.

“I decided to really give it a crack the next couple of years and put in a bit of hard work.”

Colvin’s efforts have paid dividends, as the Demons decided to give her an opportunity at the top level.

And despite being older than some of her fellow draftees, Colvin is confident her age won’t hold her back.

“I don’t act my age, I act like an 18-year-old maturity-wise, so hopefully my body can do the same and hopefully my best years are still ahead of me,” she said.

The mature aged recruit is expected to have an immediate impact for her new club and is set to provide plenty of versatility for Melbourne in defence next season.