AFLW Draft: Top WA draft pick Molly O’Hehir ‘grateful’ for challenges after being selected by Melbourne Demons

Western Australia’s top draft pick Molly O’Hehir says she’s grateful for the challenges faced this year, believing they helped her become a better person and player as she realised her AFLW dream. The South Fremantle product pipped highly-touted prospect Zippy Fish to be the first West Australian taken in the AFLW draft on Monday, selected by Melbourne with pick 3. It was a selection the Demons landed through the trade period, snaring O’Hehir after a bid on academy product Havana Harris was matched by Gold Coast with pick 2. The 179cm utility was “lost for words” after being presented with the iconic red and blue jumper by her new captain Kate Hore. “I can’t stop shaking, to be honest... and so, so excited,” O’Hehir told The West Australian. It was a challenging year for the 18-year-old, who battled illness through the national championships campaign for WA - the biggest stage for hopefuls in their draft year. O’Hehir admits while it was frustrating at the time, she learned a lot about herself through that period. “The challenges away make you a better person and instil perseverance in you,” she said. “It helped me become a better player and person as well. Although they are annoying at times, I’m really grateful for them as well.” O’Hehir rapidly rose up the order late in the year with a strong national combine, impressing recruiters with both her physical prowess and through the interview process. Along with strong leadership qualities, the tall utility also proved her versatility with a strong aerial ability coupled with explosive speed and super competitive nature. That combination had recruiters scrambling at the draft’s pointy end, with her potential an exciting prospect for AFLW clubs. From outside the top 10, O’Hehir had soared to be a predicted top-five selection before leapfrogging Fish, who had widely been considered the state’s top prospect for more than 12 months, to be a top-three pick. The Demons had also been linked to Fish, with the East Fremantle star taken by Sydney with pick five. The 18-year-old had helped 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. O’Hehir and Fish were two of six West Australians taken in 2024, with Fremantle pulling off a surprise selection with Indi Strom - the younger sister of star ruck Mim - with their final selection (51). Claremont utility Claudia Wright was the third Sandgroper taken in the first round, selected by Brisbane with pick 16. Swan Districts midfielder Lily Paterson was taken by Port Adelaide with pick 19, while East Fremantle defender Taya Chambers made her way to Essendon with pick 30. Highly-touted Victorian midfielder Ash Centra was taken with the coveted No.1 pick by Collingwood before Gold Coast matched Melbourne’s bid for Harris. After the Demons selected O’Hehir, Greater Western Sydney took Sara Howley with pick 4, paving the way for the Swans, who snared Fish ahead of Carlton. The Blues then took Poppy Scholz with pick 6 before the Eagles landed Lucia Painter with their opening selection, pick 7 and Fremantle selected Georgie Brisbane with their first pick (14).