One of football’s greatest lineages will open another chapter on Tuesday if the name ‘Danielle Ponter’ is called out at the AFLW National Draft.
Ponter is the niece of Essendon legend Michael Long and cousin of recently retired four-time premiership Hawk Cyril Rioli, and is almost certainly going to be picked up by Adelaide in the draft.
Playing with St Mary’s in Darwin, Ponter has won her league best and fairest six years in a row, basically every season since she debuted as an 11-year-old in the under-16s competition.
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"We were born into footy and grew up every day with a football in our hands,” Ponter told the AFL website.
“It wasn't forced upon us – it was by choice.
"Every opportunity we got to muck around with a football, we did."
Ponter stands 171cm, not a tall player even in the women’s comp, but plays in a key forward position due to her athleticism.
"I don't mind playing centre half-forward, not being tucked away but in the middle of everything," she said.
"Overhead marks and my kicking are probably my strengths. I don't mind a little sneaky goal or stepping around a few people.”
Ponter headed south to Victoria this year and played for Essendon in the VFLW, kicking six goals in her six matches and impressing all who saw her perform.
"It was a big move, but I had a lot of support from my family to help me get here in the first place and house me," the 18-year-old said, admitting it wasn’t just the standard of football that tested her resolve.
"Coming from NTFL Women's and straight into VFLW at such a young age was exciting, and also a bit overwhelming.
"The winter was horrible, it just kept getting colder and colder. There was a game at Craigieburn (an outer-Melbourne suburb) against Casey when it was just pouring with rain and so cold.
"The cold gets into your bones.
"Footy can be a bit too much sometimes, but then again, it's brought me to Melbourne and it's definitely brought me happiness."
Ponter has nominated for the South Australian section of the draft, meaning the Crows will get access to her if they choose, a move that seems almost certain.
"Adelaide really likes some of her ‘X-factor’ traits," AFLW talent manager Aasta O’Connor told AFL.com.au.
"She's always been the best player in the Territory, so it was good for her to move down south for a little while and learn what it's like to be an elite athlete.
"The things she can do with a footy are phenomenal. I don't know if I've seen any other young player like her.
The AFLW draft kicks off at 11.45am on Tuesday.