Tara Murray
Western Bulldogs young gun Rylie Wilcox has made her mark in the AFLW already earning a rising star nomination.
IIn just her third game at senior level, Wilcox registered 11 disposals and 252 metres gained to be named the Bulldogs’ best on ground in a thrilling win against Fremantle.
The 17-year-old year 12 student also slotted her first career goal midway through the second quarter, showing great composure, elite running and a classy finish.
Despite coach Nathan Burke saying after the game that he thought she deserved a nomination, Wilcox was shocked when it was announced.
“I’m pretty stoked about it,” she said. “I didn’t expect it to be honest. I just played footy, and when Monday came around, [I was like] why am I the last one,
“I’m so grateful for it.”
Wilcox said she put plenty of thought into her goal to ensure that she got the desired result she was after.
Wilcox, a former Northern Knight, was drafted to the Kennel with the Bulldogs’ first selection in the 2022 draft.
She said that she was already feeling at home in the AFLW with it being a big step up in intensity that pushes her to her limits.
Wilcox said she could have never imagined at the start of the year that she would be playing AFLW this year.
“Absolutely not at all,” she said. ”The first thing came to mind [when they brought forward the season] I thought you have to be 18 before August [and] I’m December, so I’m going to be next year.
“When it came out you had to be turning 18, I was pretty stoked about it but I was like crap school and everything, but I’m stoked about being at the Bulldogs.”
Wilcox said it had been difficult at times juggling playing footy and doing year 12, but said the school, her family and the club had been really good.
Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke said Wilcox has been “amazing” for the Bulldogs and had already exceeded expectations from when the club drafted her.
“We needed a smart winger who could play that position really well… we brought (Wilcox) in for a role –did we expect that she would play the role so well? Probably not,” he said.
“In her preseason – only training once or twice a week at times – she just forced her way into the team.”
Wilcox is averaging 13 disposals, two marks and two clearances per game.
