IT HAS been a big week for one of the newest Dees Molly O’Hehir, who had her dream realised on Monday night at the 2024 AFL Women’s Draft.

Speaking the morning after the draft, the excitement on her face and the emotion in her voice were clear for all to see.

“I haven’t gotten over it, definitely. It’s going to take a while to actually let it sink in, but yeah, I’m so stoked to be in the Dees,” she said.

Being drafted by Melbourne is going to mean a big move for the young Western Australian, who is the only non-Victorian the Dees drafted. Understandably, it has brought a mixture of emotions.

“It’s obviously quite daunting coming over to the other side of the country, but also really, really exciting and I think I’ll definitely get a lot of growth out of it, so I’m really, really pumped,” O’Hehir explained.

Although she had been considered one of the top prospects for a while, it was only in the last few weeks that O’Hehir was a genuine chance to be picked as high as the top three. However, the young star did not particularly read much into the media chatter.

“There’s been a few things sent around about it, but I just tried not to read into it too much because obviously I’d spoken to Melbourne a few times, but also I’d spoken to a few other clubs too, so it was really unknown for me,” she said. “I just wanted to have a good surprise on the night.”

O’Hehir is a utility, with the ability to play off half-back or through the midfield.

The 18-year-old believes she is more likely to play in defence, but is also looking forward to the possibility of playing through midfield.

“I think they do really enjoy me off the half-back, but I think they probably would enjoy some time on the ball too,” O’Hehir explained.

“I’d love to just kind of get in and play a game first, but I think definitely would love some midfield time too.”

With this in mind, she has seen the work of some of the defenders she now calls teammates, and likes elements of their games that fit really well with how she likes to go about it.

“I love the transition of the half-back from those girls, and I think they’re fast on transition and like to break lines like me, so I actually kind of really enjoy playing with them,” O’Hehir said.

Her love of defending stems from her background on the netball court.

“I was playing netball growing up and I always was playing like goal defence and goalkeeper so I think I’ve always just had that kind of defensive mindset in me,” O’Hehir said. “But I think also I’m really competitive and I love defending and love tackling so I think that kind of fit in well as a half-backer who can run but also loves tackling too.”