Molly O’Hehir has pipped highly-touted prospect Zippy Fish to be the first West Australian taken in the 2024 AFLW draft.

The South Fremantle defender was snared by Melbourne with pick 3, a selection the Demons landed through the trade period.

O’Hehir was presented with the iconic red and blue jumper by her new captain Kate Hore.

“I’m so stoked. I’m in shock, to be honest,” O’Hehir said. “I couldn’t be happier to go to the Dees.”

After battling illness through the national championships, O’Hehir rapidly rose up the order late in the year with a strong showing at the national combine, with clubs encouraged by the 18-year-old’s potential.

However, Melbourne’s list boss Todd Patterson said the club had their eyes on her long before that given her exceptional leadership qualities, breakaway speed and super competitive nature.

“Molly’s a player we targeted from the start of the year,” Patterson said.

“She’s super competitive, an elite athlete and one of the most compelling personality profiles I’ve come across in my time doing it.

“So, we feel really fortunate to welcome Molly and her family to us coming from South Fremantle.”

The Demons had also been linked to Fish, with the East Fremantle star taken by Sydney with pick five.

The 18-year-old had been the most hyped prospect in WA for the past two years after helping guide the Sharks to a WAFLW flag in 2023, claiming the Lou Knitter Medal for best on ground in the grand final.

She also broke the WAFLW record for most disposals in a game with a lazy 39 touches earlier this year.

Ash Centra was taken with the coveted No.1 pick by Collingwood before Gold Coast matched a bid from the Demons on academy product Havana Harris with pick 2.

Melbourne then selected O’Hehir, before Greater Western Sydney took Sara Howley with pick 4 and the Swans snared Fish ahead of Carlton, who took Poppy Scholz with pick 6.

The Eagles took Lucia Painter with pick 7, while Fremantle took Georgie Brisbane with their first-round selection (pick 14).

Claremont utility Claudia Wright was selected by Brisbane with pick 16, while Swan Districts midfielder Lily Paterson was taken by Port Adelaide with pick 19.

East Fremantle defender Taya Chambers made her way to Essendon with pick 30 before Fremantle pulled off a surprise selection with Indi Strom - the younger sister of star ruck Mim - with their final selection (51).