A Jimboomba Redback is poised to win a race against the clock to be fit for the Gold Coast Suns Academy in the AFL off-season.
Jes Draper injured an ankle in the final stages the under-17 girls season, but said she would be fit for academy training which is due to start soon, ahead of the single match they will play against their Brisbane Lions counterparts.
"My ankle is slowly getting better but is still bruised, sore and swollen," she said.
"I sprained it by landing on an opposition's foot after attempting to spoil the ball."
She joins Josii Hargreaves in the under-18s academy. Monet Broughton-Ferris, Ruby Mann and Jayla Hargreaves will play in the 16s.
Ashleigh Hodges, Dakota Ivanisevic and Teagan Dare are in the 15s.
Owen Maguire is in the 14s boys, and Ila Streeter is in the 14s girls.
Draper said her selection in the academy team capped off a good year personally.
"I believe I had a great season this year and selection in the academy definitely ended it on a high note," she said.
"We started off with a bang to the season but unfortunately missed out on finals due to injuries.
"However, we won our final game of the season so I guess we ended well for how we fared."
She was thrilled to get a chance to show selectors how well she played at the academy.
"I feel stoked to have been selected for the academy game. It's a very special experience and I'm super happy to have the opportunity," Draper said.
It is not the first time Draper has been picked. She played in the 16s academy last year.
Draper, who plays centre half back or centre half forward, said she had professional aspirations.
"I do dream to get drafted and play professionally one day," she said.
"My team is the Gold Coast Suns."
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