FOOTBALL has always been a big part of AFLW Draft hopeful Ellie Veerhuis‘ life. The New South Wales native rose through the ranks from starting out as a youngster in Woollongong, and eventually representing the Allies at this year’s AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships.

“I have two older brothers who grew up playing footy since they were really young, my dad’s played since he was really young. They’ve been a really big influence for me,” Veerhuis said at the 2024 AFLW State Draft Combine.

The top-age talent earned an invite to the combine off the back of some strong form for both the Allies, and earlier, Sydney Swans Academy in the Coates Talent League. Also a member of the UNSW-ES Bulldogs in AFL Sydney, Veerhuis played in the Under 22 Summer Series and VFLW for the Sydney Swans, before heading back to her AFL South Coast where she represented her junior club Figtree Saints.

Playing alongside fellow Swans Academy and Allies members such as Amelia Martin and Gabby Eaton, Veerhuis tasted premiership success in that league, as the Saints easily defeated Woollongong Lions by 50 points. While many might find representing six different clubs in a season daunting, Veerhuis has taken in in her stride.

“It’s been really good actually because each team obviously have different coaches and it’s been a really good way for me to develop my footy as well and getting different connections with different people in footy,” Veerhuis said.

“I think the adjustment’s been fine. “There’s been a few familiar people in the teams I’ve been across of the girls which has been really good. “Playing different teams has just been a really good way for me to develop my footy as well.”

Veerhuis grew up playing midfield like most aspiring AFL or AFLW footballers, though rising through the ranks at the Swans Academy and Allies, she utilised her speed off half-back. However when Tasmanian duo Lucy Thompson and Sophie Strong both went down with injuries, the top-ager got her chance on-ball and she took it with both hands.

“I guess as a child I grew up playing midfield, so it wasn’t anything not familiar,” Veerhuis said. “I’ve obviously been given the opportunity to play half-back which has been really good and developing there, but when I was thrown in the midfield it was like I was just really grateful, it was just a really good opportunity I can see what I can do in that position.”

The Swans Academy member sees her strengths as not only her speed, but her attack on the ball and pressure acts, while she is still developing her physical strength and size, as well as continuing to improve her fitness in order to play an even bigger role throughout four quarters.

Veerhuis followed her family in supporting Essendon through the men’s competition, however naturally due to her ties with Sydney in the AFLW, the New South Wales local has switched out the black for white in the women’s.

“They (Swans) have been an extremely big support for me and developing my footy on my footy journey so I’m really grateful for them,” Veerhuis said. “I’ve definitely been involved quite a bit and more so in the last couple of years, especially when playing in Coates [Talent League] and been involved with the AFLW side, participating in some training which has been a really good opportunity.”

Like many of her peers, Veerhuis looks up to Richmond star Monique Conti at the top level due to her similar athletic traits and the way she uses her speed and agility at the contest, as well as Sydney’s Brenna Tarrant for her defensive work and game understanding behind the ball.

While she does have ties to the Swans Academy, Veerhuis understands the nature of a national draft, and said she would have no qualms relocating in order to chase her AFLW dream.

“I’m 100 per cent all for the AFLW dream,” she said. “That’s something I really want to do, so if that means moving interstate, then that’s something that I’ve definitely come to terms with and I’m happy to do.”