After being announced as North Melbourne's pick 56 selection of the AFLW draft, Ella Maurer was swamped by Old Scotch clubmates.
Watching the draft at the NTCA Ground clubrooms, the 19-year-old Kangaroo became the first player from the NTFAW competition drafted to the national league.
"Just having all the girls there was great and I knew that either way that it was going to go, whether it was I got drafted or didn't, that they were going to support me," she said.
"But to have them all there for that moment was amazing.
"I'm proud and honoured to be able to show other girls that are playing at this level that they can make it as far as they want to."
Taking part in netball, athletics and touch football, Maurer's main love was dancing, juggling commitments with football until the hobby became the passion.
She joined a group of friends at North Launceston's junior program, catching the eye of Dean Smith, who would get her into the seniors when the Bombers joined the TSLW in 2019.
"Ella was one straight away that we wanted in the side," he said.
"As I said to her myself, a lot of players have the talent, I've come across a lot of players across the years that have the talent, but without actually doing the work and putting in the work ... she's been brilliant with that.
"There's been a lot of players that want to go there but just don't do the work."
Smith has since joined Old Scotch as an assistant coach under Deb Reynolds, encouraging the former Port Dalrymple and Launceston College student to join due to the club's culture.
Describing her selection as "massive" for the NTFAW, Smith knows his protegee is ready for the highest level.
"To lose the TSLW, I was very disappointed when that all fell over, and we support that this needs to be the pathway now.
"For Ella, yes she was in the system with the Devils, but to have the year she's had this year and the representative series that she had, being second in the votes only to Emma Humphries who has played AFL, it clearly shows that she was ready."
Her "immensely proud and excited" father, Brett, spoke highly of his daughter's commitment to any cause.
"Whether it be just school or netball, athletics and then football, she's just always given 100 per cent," he said.
"I think she's always had that desire and belief in herself, and we've believed in her as well. For it to happen so soon has been a shock."
Playing his football career with George Town, Brett, a passionate Richmond supporter, said he wouldn't have any issues switching allegiances to the Kangaroos.
"North's connection with Tasmania and the women's support they've had, like Ella's Tassie Devils experience has all revolved around North Melbourne.
"They've been incredible in this state so we have followed the North Melbourne women pretty closely."
Fellow Tasmanians Perri King and Meagan Kiely also got picked up in the draft.
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
