Jayde Van Dyk

Jayde Van Dyk (born 28 March 1996) is an Australian rules footballer playing for St Kilda in the AFL Women's (AFLW). A defender who played with Hawthorn in the VFL Women's (VFLW), she was drafted by Carlton with the twenty-first selection in the 2018 AFLW draft. Van Dyk debuted in the opening round of the 2019 season and played in the 2019 AFL Women's Grand Final.

Jayde Van Dyk
Van Dyk with Carlton in March 2019
Personal information
Date of birth	(1996-03-28) 28 March 1996 (age 29)
Original team(s)	Hawthorn (VFLW)
Draft	No. 21, 2018 AFLW draft
Debut	Round 1, 2019, Carlton vs. North Melbourne, at North Hobart Oval
Height	168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Club information
Current club	St Kilda
Number	36
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2019–2020	Carlton	10 (0)
2021–	St Kilda	20 (0)
Total		30 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of the S7 (2022) season.
Career highlights
Debbie Lee Medal (VFLW Rising Star): 2018
Source: AustralianFootball.com

Early career

Van Dyk played for her local club in Chirnside Park, Victoria. She trained with Carlton as injury cover during their inaugural AFLW season in 2017, which she cited as the point when she first sought to play professional football.^[1] Van Dyk joined Hawthorn's VFLW team, where she wore number 36,^[2] and played in their 2018 premiership. She won the 2018 Debbie Lee Medal as the best young player in the VFLW, Hawthorn's best and fairest, and was named in the VFLW Team of the Year in defence.^[1][3] Ahead of the 2018 AFLW draft, Van Dyk was predicted to be the first mature-age player selected.^[4]

AFLW career

Van Dyk was drafted by Carlton with the twenty-first pick in the 2018 AFLW draft, their third selection.^[3] She debuted in the opening round of the 2019 season: a loss to North Melbourne at North Hobart Oval.^[5] Van Dyk appreciated leadership shown by her experienced teammates, citing Brianna Davey, Kerryn Harrington, Tayla Harris, Gabriella Pound, and Darcy Vescio as examples.^[6] She played nine games in her first season, including the preliminary final and grand final.^[7] It was revealed Van Dyk had signed on with the Saints for two more years on 30 June 2021, tying her to the club until the end of the 2022/2023 season.^[8]