The GWS Giants will turn to two of Canberra's most influential female athletes to boost their bid to win the inaugural Women's AFL title after luring Jess Bibby and Ellie Brush into a code swap.
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It can be revealed WNBL games record holder and former Canberra Capitals skipper Bibby will join inaugural Canberra United captain Brush as the Giants' two allocated pre-draft signings.
It's a massive moment for the capital's sporting landscape as ACT Labor prepares to make an announcement on its women's sport policy on Monday.
Bibby defied the odds to play 394 WNBL games after being told she would never play sport again when she injured her back when she was just 23 years old.
But at 37 she will buy her first pair of football boots and swap the basketball court for an Australian football field as she joins the much-hyped Women's AFL competition.
Bibby retired from Capitals duties at the start of the year but the chance to play another sport convinced the Carlton tragic to have a crack at Australian football.
Bibby also warned traditional women's sports needed to lift their game in administration and professionalism as the AFL and new netball league raise the bar for female athletes.
She impressed Giants coaches with her testing results and then played her first game two weeks ago.
"I certainly wasn't expecting it ... I wanted to give it my best shot because I didn't want to wonder 'what if'," Bibby said.
"For all the girls who have grown up watching footy but never had an opportunity to play, this is wonderful.
"I loved every second of basketball and had an amazing 20 years. But I've hung up one pair of boots and now I'm going to have to go shopping for footy boots."
The Giants are considering playing some women's AFL games in Canberra as well as having their new netball team playing national competition fixtures in the capital.
Bibby and Brush are eligible to sign contracts before the draft because they qualify under a rookie system of players who have never played Australian football before.
The Giants have the No.1 pick in the draft on October 12 with eight teams to play in the competition starting in February.
Brush has just finished a soccer season in the United States with Houston and will return to Canberra to play for United in the 2016-17 W-League campaign as well as juggling GWS duties.
Canberra United defender Catherine Brown also trialled with the Giants but dislocated her kneecap in the final session. Bibby said Brown's injury meant she was starting her Giants stint with a "heavy heart".
The fact Bibby can play at all is amazing after a back injury almost ended her sporting career 14 years ago.
She spent $40,000 on surgery to give herself a chance and spent six months in a brace as she learnt how to walk again.
But remarkably Bibby says being tackled, leaping for marks and kicking goals has put less strain on her back than basketball.
"My feet were actually sorer than my back because I've never worn footy boots," Bibby laughed.
"I would be lying if I didn't think, 'Oh God, what if your back goes now'. But playing that trial game ... it was only my feet that were sore. I'm confident that I can do it and my body will be healthy."
Women's AFL players will be paid a minimum of $5000 per season and marquee players can earn up to $25,000.
Bibby, who runs her own coffee business, Shot Clock, said the emergence of the AFL was a leap forward for female athletes and rival sports needed to be on watch for players switching careers.
"There is an amateur hour in some other sports and the Giants straight off the bat have a massive tick. So I think other sports will be having a look."
