It was a long day for Tasmanian twins, Chloe and Libby Haines, but their patience paid off when toward the back-end of the AFL Women's Draft on Tuesday, their names were called out by the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos.

Chloe was announced first at pick 53, and Libby at 56.

“It feels great as we didn’t really know if it would happen, as nothing was set until today,’’ Chloe told the Examiner.
 
“I woke up this morning really nervous, and watching a few of my friends get picked, I was then getting excited for them and nervous for myself.

“Once my name got picked out I was just hoping that Libby’s was next, which is how it went, but it was long wait. I want to have a good season, so I want to get into it (pre-season) and hope for no injuries.”

Playing for Burnie's Tasmanian State League Women's side, the former basketball playing pair was originally identified by North Melbourne through it's highly successful Next Generation Academy a few years ago.
 
“We know that we have to put in the hard work pretty much from now. We will take a couple of days to let this all sink in and then just get straight into it,’’  Libby said.

“I was bit nervous watching, as we were thinking we that I had to be the next pick (at 56) or else we might not have both been picked, and once Chloe got picked, it became more stressful for me. 

“We wanted at least one of us to be picked up by pick 53 to make it more likely we would both go, but it was still stressful.”

Available exclusively to North Melbourne due to a unique zoning arrangement, the twins are delighted to be able to stay together.

“Just being together every step of the way has been great and we will be able to continue that as well,’’ Chloe said.

“Two years ago we would never have thought we would even be thinking about the draft, let alone where we are now,’’ Libby said.

“It is pretty amazing.”

It was just as amazing for their mum, Janine Spinks.

“I am just so proud of them and so happy that it all went the way it did,’’ she said from the family home in Wynyard.

“I wasn’t expecting that they would both go in the same round, and, of course, I had my tears in my eyes.

“We’re not sure yet whether they will have to move to Launceston, as that is where we think the team’s training will be based, but even if they do that is only a couple of hours away, which is nothing.”
 
The recruitment of the Haines twins and Nicole Bresnehan, sees eight Tasmanians playing for the Kangaroos.