It was a nervous wait on October 12 in the Tomkins household when the AFL conducted the draft of thousands of hopefuls that nominated for the draft. Sitting in front of the broadcast with mother Debbie. Tonka's dreams were realised when her name was read out as pick #96, one of only ten NSW aspirants to obtain a spot on the Giants list.
After a 20-year soccer career in which she represented Australia in indoor soccer, played in the W-League with a stint with the Wanderers along with Premier Division for the strong Marconi club, 30-year-old Tomkins came down and watched the Ramettes play a game at Greygums and was immediately hooked.
In 2015, Tonka juggled soccer and football commitments along with AFL, often rushing from one game to another. Despite playing just ten games for the Ramettes, she won the prestigious Penrith Rams "Best first year player" award which encompassed both men's, women's and Under 19's grades. Tonka was a part of the grand final outfit that fell just three points short of victory, playing a starring role with ferocious defence and an amazing goal on the run from 55 metres out.
This year she trialled for the AFL academy, impressing in Canberra trials along with her team-mates, Nat Camilleri, Nikki Perrett, Kate Easthope and Emma Nolan. A run in the exhibition match for the Giants against the Swans at the SCG was followed up by state selection where she travelled to South Australia, playing at the iconic Adelaide Oval.
With another season for the Ramettes along with a game in Premier Division for the Auburn Giants under the club’s MOU with that team, along with her representative duties, her skills improved rapidly. Despite a lack of club games, Renee finished equal third in the Sydney AFL James Medal best and fairest count, alongside two time medallist and team-mate, Nikki "Killa" Perrett.
Tomkins becomes the first ever current player to be drafted by the AFL. She joins a list of Rams player's consisting of Earl Shaw (Drafted by the Swans in 2005 but since de-listed) and Michael Hartley (Current Essendon Defender - 19 games in 2016)
The Penrith Rams, along with the entire community and in fact, State of NSW will be counting down the days until the star from Cranebrook dons the orange and black in the National League.
Pick 96, GWS Giants: Renee Tomkins (Penrith, NSW)
Age: 30
Position: Defender
Another key defender picked up the Giants, Renee Tomkins comes up from Sydney’s Division One competition. She is renowned for her skills and ball use out of defence, as well as her athelticism, making her hard to beat one out. Forming an important defensive pairing with Kristy De Pellegrini to take on the competition’s best forwards, GWS will look to Tomkins to be a steady hand in defence.
Courtesy of girlsplayfooty.com
Last Modified on 18/10/2017 11:22