Singleton's Molly Thomas and former Rooster Alex Neyland have been drafted by the Sydney Swans in the AFLW draft.
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The 18-year-olds created history as the first players from the Singleton Roosters and Upper Hunter to be drafted in either the AFLW or AFL.
Members of the club gathered to watch the live telecast draft and broke out in wild cheers when Neyland's and then Thomas' name were announced.
The pair had played together as juniors at Singleton and in school and competition representative teams in AFL and other sports such as touch football..
Utility Neyland, who played with Singleton juniors and Cardiff Hawks seniors before moving to Sydney to play with the Sydney Swans Academy in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, was taken at pick six after the Swans matched Collingwood's bid.
Midfielder Thomas, who played with the Roosters and was a member of the Swans Academy for four years, was taken at pick 47.
The Swans said Thomas is a smart left-footer from the Sydney Swans Academy.
"She has a great balance of offensive and defensive impact, and her clean hands in traffic are a standout," the club said on its website.
She was part of the Top-End Program, which comprised the best Under 18 AFLW talent in New South Wales.
Neyland is a 178cm utility from the Swans Academy and a two-time recipient of the Basil Sellers Scholarship, which provides support for recipients in their overall development.
"Whether it is flying through the air or laying bone-crunching tackle at ground level, Neyland is an all-round threat with enormous upside," the Swans said of Neyland, who grew up in Singleton.
Representing the Swans Academy in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, she averaged 19 disposals, four marks, 6.5 tackles, four inside 50s and booted three goals across four games.
At the national championships representing the Allies, Neyland started forward but then was quickly thrown back and remained there, a role she grew up playing throughout her junior career at the Roosters.
She averaged 11 disposals, 1.5 marks, 5.5 tackles and 2.3 rebound 50s across the four games at the championships.
Alex Neyland and Molly Thomas timeline
2019 -
Alex Neyland and Molly Thomas help guide St Catherine's to the Paul Kelly Cup on August 6 after defeating after defeating Lindsay Park 3.1 (19) to 2.1 (13) in the final.
The school side trailed by six points at halftime before securing the win as parents and staff watched on at Sydney's Spotless Stadium - becoming the first school north of Sydney to secure the title.
The side celebrated nine consecutive wins in total after defeating Singleton Heights, Biddabah, Tomaree, Dudley as well as Bishop Druitt College, St John the Baptist - Woy Woy and Wilkins in the pool stage before knocking off Trinity College in the semi final.
"It's just a fantastic feeling to win, I feel so proud of each and every girl out there today," St Catherine's Catholic College coach Patrick Fitzgerald said.
Two members, Molly Thomas and Alex Neyland, then won the NSW PSSA girls touch football title later in the month thanks to a 2-0 win in the final against Sydney North in Mudgee.
2020 -
Both Alex Neyland and Molly Thomas feature in the Singleton Roosters' Youth Girls 13 side.
The team, coached by Alex Tigani, celebrates 11 straight wins including a memorable 10.17 (77) to 0.1 (1) grand final win against Cardiff.
Molly Thomas is named as best on ground in the grand final.
2021 -
Both Alex Neyland and Molly Thomas feature in the Singleton Roosters' Youth Girls 15 side.
Despite having the youngest list, the Singleton Roosters finish on top of the table with a 11-1 record when the season is cancelled in August due to the lockdown.
Alex Neyland was absent from the side's only defeat.
Both girls also represent the undefeated Hunter representative side at Warners Bay and Teralba.
2022 -
Both Alex Neyland and Molly Thomas feature in the Singleton Roosters' Youth Girls 15 side.
The team, coached by Alex Tigani, celebrates 13 straight wins including a memorable 6.3 (39) to 1.0 (6) grand final win against Cardiff.
Alex Neyland is named as best on ground in the grand final (on her birthday) and wins the side's best and fairest.
Both girls also represent the undefeated Hunter representative side in Central Coast and Coffs Harbour.
Both girls also travel to Lavington near Albury for the School Sport Australia 15 & Under Australian Football Championships.
2023 -
Molly Thomas advances to the Singleton Roosterettes women's side in 2023 under the coaching of club president Nadene McBride.
She continues to play after the tragic passing of McBride and several teammates in June, recording 29 disposals in the comeback game on July 15 and then wins the Roosterette's best and fairest award named after the late Kyah McBride and Tori Cowburn.
Alex Neyland, who was unable to play this season due to injury, receives the Basil Sellars scholarship as part of the Sydney Swans academy.
2024 -
Molly Thomas stars for the Sydney Swans academy side in Blacktown, Melbourne and Brisbane.
At club level, Molly Thomas also wins her second consecutive best and fairest award for the Singleton Roosterettes under coach Jackson Channon.
2025 -
Both Alex Neyland, returning from injury, and Molly Thomas star for the Sydney Swans academy side in Blacktown, Melbourne and Brisbane.
They both make the Allies side which is a representative line-up for NSW, ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
In her only available club appearance for the Singleton Roosterettes on August 9, Molly Thomas records 44 disposals and kicks five goals.
On Monday, December 15 both girls make history as Singleton's first AFL draftees.
