Jodie Hicks will balance a promising cricket career with an AFL Women's chance in a bid to realise a "childhood dream" after she was drafted by the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
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The Belconnen Magpies midfielder was selected by the Giants with pick five in the AFLW draft on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old was a promising all-rounder for the ACT Meteors before being delisted this season and won a Women's Big Bash League title with the Sydney Sixers.
Hicks is hoping to play a part in the Sixers' title defence and she's gearing up for a "hectic" summer as she launches her Australian football career in the AFLW's second season.
"I'll be trying to juggle both pre-season and the WBBL season," Hicks said.
"I'll have a pretty hectic four months coming up. Hopefully not too bad, I want to be able to manage both so hopefully I can do that.
"[The Sixers and Giants] are both happy for me to play both. They've been very accepting and helpful which is nice. It would have been hard if they weren't all for it."
Originally from Hay in western New South Wales, Hicks didn't attend the AFLW draft combine but had a stellar year for the Magpies on the local scene.
Hicks kicked 40 goals in 16 games and was named in the AFL Canberra women's team of the year - but being taken at pick five was beyond her wildest dreams.
"It was very exciting. Definitely not [expecting pick five], I knew I was going to get picked up but I didn't think I was going to get picked up at pick five, which is very exciting," Hicks said.
Hicks was called into the Melbourne Demons squad for the first of two women's games as an emergency against the Western Bulldogs in 2015.
Hicks impressed selectors at an under-18 AFL national tournament in Canberra in 2013 and made the All-Australian team that year.
She will line up for the Giants alongside Gungahlin Jets midfielder Britt Tully, with the pair Canberra's only players on the Giants' books as of Wednesday.
More Canberra players could be picked up in Friday's rookie draft or free agency but transgender footballer Hannah Mouncey has already been ruled ineligible for the draft.
Former WNBL star Jess Bibby, ex-Canberra United co-captain Ellie Brush, Hannah Wallett, Ella Ross and Britt Tully all played for the Giants last season.
Talia Radan, Jenna McCormick, Rhiannon Metcalfe and Heather Anderson all won the inaugural AFLW premiership under Bec Goddard with the Adelaide Crows.
Radan and Metcalfe are the only Canberrans to have re-signed with the defending premiers as Goddard prepares to lead Adelaide's premiership defence.
Elise O'Dea is set to return for the Melbourne Demons while former Riverina player Gabriella Pound will play for Carlton.
Clubs have a primary list of 27, with another three rookie spots available. A rookie draft will be held on Friday, although some clubs have already signed some rookies.
CANBERRA PLAYERS IN AFLW
GWS Giants: Jodie Hicks (Belconnen Magpies), Britt Tully (Gungahlin Jets)
Adelaide Crows: Talia Radan (former Belconnen Magpies), Rhiannon Metcalfe (former Gungahlin Jets), Bec Goddard (coach)
Carlton Blues: Gabriella Pound (Former Riverina Lions)
Melbourne Demons: Elise O'Dea (Former Belconnen Magpies)
