JUST one month ago, Katie Lynch was furiously barracking for Richmond as the Tigers took on Collingwood in an AFL preliminary final.
And on Tuesday she was selected by the club that eliminated her own, taken with pick No.11 in the NAB AFL Women’s Draft.
"I'm a big fan of the 'Tiges', which is a bit funny seeing what happened in the (AFL) prelim," Lynch said.
"I was initially disappointed I wasn't at the match, but once it finished (Collingwood defeated Richmond by 39 points), I was so glad I wasn't.
"It's funny, because you sit there going for your Tiges, and then next minute, you're a Collingwood player and you don't know what you're going to do with yourself.
"I think I've got a bit of black and white blood in me now."
The 18-year-old is one of the new generation of females who have been playing football constantly since starting as a child without having to stop due to lack of opportunity.
Lynch started Auskick at Canterbury in Melbourne's east, progressed to junior level at Camberwell Sharks with boys, and then moved to Kew Rovers youth girls' team when she was 15.
"I fractured my right ankle in 2016 and it was quite a long-term injury," Lynch said.
"I did it playing for Kew in a final, then got some medical advice and the fracture didn't appear on the scans, so I played in the Grand Final two weeks later and that probably didn't help my recovery.
"I ended up getting it operated on in late 2016, which took me out of the 2017 TAC Cup season and playing for Vic Metro, but I was able to get back to club footy halfway through the year."
The now fully-fit Lynch played with the Oakleigh Chargers in this year's under-18 TAC Cup competition and impressed for Metro in the NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships, rotating between the midfield and up forward.
At 179cm, Lynch will be one of the AFLW’s tallest midfielders – if not the tallest.
"I love the midfield because you can do whatever you like, really," she said with a laugh.
The year 12 Carey Grammar student is about to embark on her exams, but is feeling comfortable at the prospect of joining Collingwood, having played two games for the club's VFLW side this year.
She's also looking forward to the prospect of playing at Victoria Park, Collingwood’s former home, where the AFLW Magpies will be playing home games in 2019.
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"I had no idea where I was going, didn't even have a range. I was just sitting there waiting for my name," Lynch said.
"When it was 11, I was pretty shocked. I went up on stage and I couldn't really believe it. I'm super grateful Collingwood picked me up.
"I actually had my first VFLW game against the Northern Territory Thunder at Victoria Park, so I know what the ground's about.
"I also played a few junior games here, but it's so exciting to come back here, especially with the club's history."
