Jaide Britton’s AFLW journey hasn’t come without hard work and determination.

After missing out on getting an invitation to the WA draft combine in 2021, Britton became one of the most improved players in the country over the last 12 months.

Britton produced a massive season at Peel Thunder and captained the WA under 19s squad.

The 19-year-old’s hard work paid dividends, warranting a call up to the 2022 WA State-based combine and taking out the two-kilometre time trial, getting herself onto club radars.

The damaging winger was draft pick seven in the WA draft and pick 47 overall in the national draft.

Showcasing her endurance and work rate, she was a sure signing by West Coast Eagles but, for Britton, being drafted still hasn’t sunk in.

“It still feels quite surreal,” Britton said.

“I think once we start playing it will start to feel a bit more real, but it still feels like a happy little fairytale.”

Britton first picked up a footy five years ago when her friend asked her to fill in for a game in her local league.

While juggling three sports, she quickly advanced to the WAFLW after playing one year of local footy.

“I didn’t know there was much footy to be honest, I came from a basketball background,” Britton said. 

“I was playing footy Friday night, netball Saturday morning and basketball on Sunday for two years.

“I thought if I really want to try to be good at this, I need to focus all my energy on one thing, so I gave up netball and basketball.”

With four weeks to go until round one, Britton is looking forward to her first AFLW season and playing with some of her biggest inspirations.

“I look up to Emma Swanson quite a bit - even more now being around her,” Britton said.

“I think she’s a great role model in so many ways. She is someone that I really look up to and try to follow in her steps a little bit at the moment.

“I’m also really excited to play with all the new draftees as well. I have played against a lot of them, so it’ll be a cool dynamic to play on the same team.”