Essendon VFLW and Bendigo Pioneers young gun Elizabeth Snell is reaping the rewards of her hard work.

The 19-year-old, who comes from Kyneton in regional Victoria, has recently represented Victoria Country at the NAB AFLW Under-19 National Championships while balancing playing for the VFLW Bombers and Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB League.

Snell, who has helped the Bombers’ midfield cover the loss of injured captain Georgia Nanscawen, has embraced the chance to play at VFLW level and has felt right at home at the NEC Hangar.

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“Everyone’s amazing, I’ve not had one worry. Everyone just seems to get along and obviously they’ve played together for so long but for us NAB League girls to come in and for them to adjust and us to adjust so easily, it’s just unbelievable,” Snell said.

“I feel like I’ve just blended in really well because the girls have been so welcoming to me.”

So far this season, the Bombers have had three debutants step up from the NAB League, Victoria’s premier under-19 competition, with Zali Friswell and Kasey Lennox from the Calder Cannons joining Snell at VFLW level.

Despite her light frame, Snell is enjoying the opportunity to compete against “bigger stronger bodies” and learn from fellow midfielders Courtney Ugle and Alana Barba. 

“Courtney (Ugle) is always on the field, she’s always chatting and telling me to go to this position or do that and to back myself,” Snell said. 

“Alana Barba, she’s always giving me little things to work on, and on the field she’s always telling me to do this and that so it’s really good for those two to be able to do that and help me out.”

In addition to support from her teammates, Bombers coach Brendan Major has been a big contributor to Snell’s improvement, helping her adjust to competing at the next level. 

“As Major’s been coaching me, he’s been teaching me a lot with what to work on and stuff like that,” Snell said. 

“It’s obviously gotten me used to being able to come up against different opponents and harder teams.”

Although it felt odd at first, Snell has loved the opportunity to run out alongside her NAB League opponents in Friswell and Lennox, with the three of them all performing well in the Bombers’ round seven clash with Williamstown. 

“I think it’s great being able to play with the girls that I’ve played against for a few years. It’s weird but really good,” Snell said. 

“They’ve (Friswell and Lennox) come in and stepped up and gone really well.”

As the trio continue to develop their football, Snell said her ultimate goal was to compete at the highest level, but she would be grateful for any opportunity. 

“I’d love to get drafted (to AFLW). That’s everyone’s dream I’m guessing, so hopefully by the end of this year’s draft, I’ll end up somewhere,” Snell said.

“But honestly, I don’t really mind where I play. Whether it’s at Essendon or local footy, as long as I get the opportunity to play footy then I’m stoked.” 

Snell, as well as Lennox and Friswell who are in the Vic Metro squad, will have the opportunity to impress AFLW clubs at the NAB AFLW Under-19 National Championships, which run from April 12 to May 29.

In her Vic Country games so far, Snell has established herself as a key midfielder while relishing the opportunity to be coached by former Melbourne and Geelong AFLW player Melissa Hickey.

“As a team, we all meshed really well so I was able to have trust in my teammates and they trusted me. I think I was able to just play my game of footy and just be really comfortable out there,” Snell said. 

“(Hickey) took the time to get to know us all individually and she would point out what we needed to work on. It was just amazing to have such a great coach to be able to tell me those things.”  

Snell will be looking to continue her strong form in the Bombers’ midfield when she comes up against the undefeated Collingwood in the inaugural Anzac Day clash at the NEC Hangar from 11am on Sunday.