Isabel Huntington

Huntington was an exceptional junior footballer, impressing particularly at the 2016 AFL Youth Girls National Championships. In one match she kicked five goals (including four in one quarter) and recorded 30 disposals, all in a shortened match of 12-minute quarters.

Huntington endured injury plagued teenage years, suffering a broken leg in 2015 and a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her knee in 2016 that saw her miss the entirety of the 2017 junior and state-league football season. Despite not being able to play with the side due to the injury she trained in a limited capacity that year with Melbourne University who play in the VFL Women's competition.{{cite news|last1=Olle|first1=Sarah|title=AFLW No. 1 draft prospect who’s too good to be true: Isabel Huntington is set to become a household name|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-no-1-draft-prospect-whos-too-good-to-be-true-isabel-huntington-is-set-to-become-a-household-name/news-story/17c3ae62013fa5f7f6e6fd6ee68f85db|access-date=12 February 2018|work=Fox Sports|publisher=News Corp Australia|date=8 August 2017}}

Huntington completed high school at St Michael's Grammar School in St Kilda in Melbourne's south. She was school captain there in her final year in 2017 and graduated with an ATAR of 98.10 that placed her in the top two per cent of students in the country. She has aspirations to study medicine and work as a doctor.{{cite news|last1=Sewell|first1=Eliza|title=AFLW No. 1 draft pick Isabel Huntington has her sights set on becoming a doctor|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-no-1-draft-pick-isabel-huntington-has-her-sights-set-on-becoming-a-doctor/news-story/6306a49cae4d2bcb1e8655e4008d9759?nk=b6fb24ffb8b8fd2acacae06bc9e80b29-1518428235|access-date=12 February 2018|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|date=16 December 2017}}

Huntington was drafted by the Western Bulldogs with the first overall selection in the 2017 AFL Women's draft.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/womens-afl/2017-aflw-draft-isabel-huntington-goes-at-pick-one-to-western-bulldogs-20171018-gz360j.html|title=2017 AFLW draft: Isabel Huntington goes at pick No.1 to Western Bulldogs|last=Cherney|first=Daniel|date=18 October 2017|work=The Age|location=Fairfax Media|access-date=4 February 2018}}

She made her debut in a twenty-six point win over {{AFLW|Fre}} at VU Whitten Oval in the opening round of the 2018 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-round-1-teams-named-stars-set-for-second-season/news-story/077a366efa799f0a65cbc3eba0645036|title=AFLW Round 1 teams named: Stars set for second season|last=Salemme|first=Kate|date=1 February 2018|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=4 February 2018}} The following round she played a key role in the first half of the Bulldogs' win over {{AFLW|Bri}}, including one stretch where she took consecutive contested forward-50 marks and kicked back-to-back goals in the space of a minute. Soon after though she was involved in a loose-ball chase that saw her sustain a serious knee injury and sit out the remainder of the match.{{cite news|last1=Whiting|first1=Michael|title=Match report: Dogs stay perfect against Lions|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-11/match-report-dogs-stay-perfect-against-lions|access-date=12 February 2018|work=AFL Media|publisher=Telstra Media|date=11 February 2018}} Scans later confirmed she had sustained a season ending ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.{{cite news|title=Scans confirm Huntington season over|url=http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2018-02-12/scans-confirm-huntington-season-over|access-date=12 February 2018|work=Western Bulldogs|publisher=Telstra Media|date=12 February 2018}}

Huntington suffered a sprain to her reconstructed knee in mid-December 2018, the result of which kept her out of playing for the team until round 5 of the 2019 AFL Women's season.{{cite news |last1=Black |first1=Sarah |title=Huntington to miss most of season with knee injury |url=https://womens.afl/news/15612/huntington-to-miss-most-of-season-with-knee-injury |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=25 January 2019}}{{cite web|title=Isabel Huntington: I'd go through the rehab again and again|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/isabel-huntington-i-d-go-through-the-rehab-again-and-again-20190214-p50xvb.html|date=14 February 2019|work=The Age|last1=Huntington|first1=Isabel|access-date=25 February 2021}}{{cite web|title=Match report: Dockers keep finals dream alive by edging Dogs|url=https://womens.afl/match-centre/2019/82/fre-v-wb#matchreport|date=3 March 2019|access-date=25 February 2021|last1=King|first1=Travis|work=AFL Women's Media}}

The 2020 AFL Women's season was a successful one for Huntington, winning many accolades and rapidly improving as she switched to the Bulldogs' back line. She had her best game for the season in the 3rd round, where the Bulldogs suffered a 21 point loss to {{AFLW|Car}}. In that game, she collected 15 disposals, 7 marks, which was her career record at that point, and 4 tackles.{{cite web|title=Western Bulldogs vs Carlton - Player Stats|url=https://australianfootball.com/game/view/126142|work=Australian Football|access-date=25 February 2021}} She received a 2020 AFL Women's Rising Star nomination in the last round of the home and away season,{{cite web|title=Key Dog, emerging Giant rewarded with Rising Star nominations|url=https://womens.afl/news/49333/key-dog-emerging-giant-rewarded-with-rising-star-nominations|last1=Canil|first1=Jourdan|date=17 March 2020|access-date=25 February 2021|work=AFL Women's Media}} after collecting 15 disposals, 6 marks and 2 tackles in the {{AFLW|WB}}' 15 point loss to {{AFLW|Fre}}.{{cite web|title=Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle - Player Stats|url=https://australianfootball.com/game/view/126166|work=Australian Football|access-date=25 February 2021}} She finished the season as the Bulldogs' leading mark taker, with a total of 24 over her 5 games that season.{{cite web|title=Western Bulldogs|url=https://australianfootball.com/clubs/stats/Western+Bulldogs+WFC/2848/2020|work=Australian Football|access-date=25 February 2021}} She also finished equal 1st in the league for contested marks and 2nd for intercept marks.{{cite web|title=Back or forward? Izzy's just happy to be back in the hunt|url=https://womens.afl/news/54670/back-or-forward-izzy-s-just-happy-to-be-back-in-the-hunt|date=21 December 2020|last1=Whiting|first1=Michael|access-date=25 February 2021|work=AFL Women's Media}} She won the prestigious AFL Women's Rising Star award at the conclusion of the season,{{cite web|title=Bulldogs' Huntington wins AFLW Rising Star|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/bulldogs-huntington-wins-aflw-rising-star-c-1003918|last1=Harrington|first1=Anna|work=Seven News|access-date=25 February 2021|date=28 April 2020}}{{cite web|title=Huntington the latest star to rise|url=https://thewomensgame.com/news/huntington-the-latest-star-to-rise-547374|last1=McNerney|first1=Elly|work=The Women's Game|access-date=25 February 2021|date=29 April 2020}} receiving a total of 34 votes, 4 ahead of second-placed Caitlin Greiser.{{cite web|title=Star Dog bounces back from injuries to claim Rising Star award|url=https://womens.afl/news/50206/star-dog-bounces-back-from-injuries-to-claim-rising-star-award|work=AFL Women's Media|date=28 April 2020|access-date=25 February 2021|last1=McGowan|first1=Marc}} The win made her the Bulldogs' first ever Rising Star winner.{{cite web|title=Huntington becomes Bulldogs’ first ever Rising Star|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/587760/huntington-becomes-bulldogs-first-ever-rising-star|last1=McGowan|first1=Marc|work=Western Bulldogs Media|access-date=25 February 2021|date=28 April 2020}} She also won her maiden All-Australian blazer, being placed on the half back line.{{cite web|title=Reigning club champion Izzy Huntington says uncertainty surrounding AFLW season not affecting Western Bulldogs|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/reigning-club-champion-izzy-huntington-says-uncertainty-surrounding-aflw-season-not-affecting-western-bulldogs/news-story/bb14c1b2d328820e1c4b50ff07ae4405|work=Herald Sun|last1=Walsh|first1=Liz|access-date=25 February 2021|date=5 January 2021}}{{cite web|title=AFLW: Huntington becomes an All-Australian|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/587520/aflw-huntington-becomes-an-all-australian|date=27 April 2020|work=Western Bulldogs Media|access-date=25 February 2021}} She also won the team's best and fairest award,, with a total of 44 votes, 3 ahead of second-placed Ellie Blackburn.{{cite web|title=Huntington crowned Bulldogs AFLW Best and Fairest|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/588396/huntington-crowned-bulldogs-aflw-best-and-fairest|date=30 April 2020|work=Western Bulldogs Media|access-date=25 February 2021}}{{cite web|title=Best and fairest wrap-up: Who won your club's awards?|url=https://womens.afl/news/50116/best-and-fairest-wrap-up-who-won-your-club-s-awards-|work=AFL Women's Media|access-date=25 February 2021|date=31 August 2020}}

It was revealed that Huntington had signed a contract extension with the club on 16 June 2021, after playing every game possible for the club that season.{{cite web|title=25 Bulldogs locked in for AFLW 6.0|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/959491/25-bulldogs-locked-in-for-aflw-6-0|date=16 June 2021|access-date=17 June 2021}} Huntington achieved selection in Champion Data's 2021 AFLW All-Star stats team, after leading the league for average contested marks in the 2021 AFL Women's season, totalling 2.3 a game.{{cite web|title=All-Star stats team: Shock leaders, lone Lion makes the cut|url=https://womens.afl/news/72761/all-star-stats-team-shock-leaders-lone-lion-makes-the-cut|work=womens.afl|access-date=19 June 2021|date=19 June 2021|last1=Black|first1=Sarah}}

In the first round of 2022 AFL Women's season 6, Huntington suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and at the end of the season was traded to Greater Western Sydney in exchange for two draft picks.{{cite web|url=https://www.gwsgiants.com.au/news/1144794/izzy-s-in|title=Izzy’s In|publisher=Telstra|work=Greater Western Sydney Giants|date=7 June 2022}}

Huntington is a cousin of Essendon AFL player Will Setterfield.{{cite news|last1=Sewell|first1=Eliza|title=Isabel Huntington could be snapped up Western Bulldogs or Collingwood in AFLW draft|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/isabel-huntington-could-be-snapped-up-western-bulldogs-or-collingwood-in-aflw-draft/news-story/a3caa99f9f9c1fd2d895d60b1a237751|access-date=6 March 2018|work=News.com.au|agency=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|date=12 October 2017}} She studied a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne.{{cite web|title=The Rising Star of Isabel Huntington|work=St Michael's Grammar School|access-date=25 February 2021|url=https://www.stmichaels.vic.edu.au/community/news/the-rising-star-of-isabel-huntington/?doing_wp_cron=1614236751.1546618938446044921875|date=18 June 2020}}

:Statistics are correct to the end of the 2021 season.{{cite web|title=Isabel Huntington - Player Stats By Season|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/isabel%2Bhuntington/20151|work=Australian Football|accessdate=25 February 2021}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFLW player statistics start}}

|- style="background-color: #eaeaea"

| scope=row style="text-align:center" | 2018 || {{AFLW|WB}}

| 9 || 2 || 2 || 0 || 11 || 3 || 14 || 8 || 2 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 5.5 || 1.5 || 7.0 || 4.0 || 1.0 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFLW|WB}}

| 4 || 3 || 2 || 1 || 10 || 6 || 16 || 7 || 7 || 0.7 || 0.3 || 3.3 || 2.0 || 5.3 || 2.3 || 2.3 || 0

|- style="background-color: #eaeaea"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2020

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFLW|WB}}

| 4 || 5 || 1 || 1 || 49 || 16 || 65 || 24 || 13 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 9.8 || 3.2 || 13.0 || 4.8 || 2.6 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2021

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFLW|WB}}

| 4 || 9 || 12 || 9 || 52 || 27 || 79 || 40 || 6 || 1.3 || 1.0 || 5.8 || 3.0 || 8.8 || 4.4 || 0.7 || 2

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 19

! 17

! 11

! 122

! 52

! 174

! 79

! 28

! 0.9

! 0.6

! 6.4

! 2.7

! 9.2

! 4.2

! 1.5

! 2

|}

{{reflist}}

{{commonscat}}

• {{Wbplayer}}
• {{AustralianFootball|ref=Isabel%2BHuntington/20151}}

{{GWS Giants AFL Women's player squad}}

{{2020 AFL Women's Rising Star nominees}}

{{AFL Women's Rising Star winners}}

{{Western Bulldogs best and fairest (AFL Women's)}}

{{2020 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}

{{Western Bulldogs leading goalkickers}}

{{AFL women's number one draft picks}}

{{2017 AFL Women's draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Huntington, Isabel}}

Category:1999 births

Category:Living people

Category:Western Bulldogs (AFLW) players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)

Category:Melbourne University Football Club (VFLW) players

Category:University of Melbourne alumni

Category:People educated at St Michael's Grammar School