IDENTICAL twins Sarah and Jess Hosking were "over the moon" to be drafted to an AFL club, but that they'll both be playing for Carlton in next year's NAB AFL Women's League makes their story even better.
Sarah was drafted with pick No.19, while Jess, who hurt her knee halfway through this season, was taken at pick 78.
"It's surreal," Sarah told AFL.com.au.
"We're absolutely over the moon to be playing together next season."
• Who went where? Check out all the picks from the 2016 NAB AFL Women's Draft
The Hosking family – Dad Mark and brother Andy – were both in the audience at Wednesday's draft to witness Sarah and Jess have their dreams realised.
Mum Terri could not be there in the draft room in Melbourne, as she had business in Perth, but was hooked up to a link on Skype and proudly watched both of her daughters be drafted.
"It's the best thing ever and it's better that we've gone together," Jess said.
Jess (left) and Sarah Hosking at Wednesday's NAB AFL Women's Draft. Picture: Ben Guthrie, AFL Media
Both talented netballers, the sisters, 20, tried out at the AFL's National Female Talent search in December 2015 after a friend tagged Sarah in a Facebook post.
They lined up together for the Seaford Tigerettes in the inaugural 2016 VFL women's competition.
Tough midfielder Sarah performed strongly, winning the VFL women's Rising Star award in her first season of football.
Jess's promising season was ended after she ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee.
"We've played netball since we were 10, but we always wanted to play footy," Jess said.
"The seasons always clashed but it got to the point where we were ready to give footy a crack when the female competition was starting to kick on."
Both girls were added to the women's development academy following the Talent Search, and are delighted they made the move.
"For as long as we can remember we had a footy in our hands and (have been) going out in the spare lot for kick-to-kick next to our house," Sarah said.
"Now that we've got the opportunity to play and there's a career out of it, it's incredible."
Want more NAB AFL Women's Draft news?
• The first ever women's draft as it happened
• Giants take pacy Barr with top pick
• Who went where? Check out all the picks from the 2016 NAB AFL Women's Draft
