MADDIE Boyd says she was “overwhelmed” when she was drafted by Melbourne with its 15^th pick in the recent AFL Women’s Draft – No.120 overall.

Boyd said it was tough sitting through so many picks before hearing her name called out.

“It was an anxious wait,” she told Melbourne TV.  

“The doubts started to creep in after a while, but when my name got called [out], I was rapt and over the moon.”

Boyd’s football journey started in primary school, when she played with the boys’ team.

“I was their ruck and then worked my way up through Youth Girls in the local teams down there,” she said.

“I started at Youth Girls, when I was 16, so I’ve been playing since then competitively.

“I now play a couple of roles – ruck and forward, so I’d like to think I’m versatile.”

Boyd said couldn’t wait to be part of the inaugural AFL Women’s league next year.

“It’s just the beginning,” she said.

“It’s what we do from here on in – making the most of the opportunities and embracing this elite environment and seeing how good we can become.

“Ever since it (the AFL Women’s) got announced that it was happening – that’s when I thought I want to do this and I’ve been working at it ever since.”