PORT ADELAIDE draftee Sachi Syme certainly isn’t the first female footballer to make the switch from another sport.

Growing in Coffin Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, Syme was a talented country netballer before she made the transition into football.

Speaking with Port Lincoln’s 5CC radio on Tuesday, the mid-forward reflected on how her netball experience set her up for success in footy.

“I played a heap of netball for Boston (Netball Club) when I used to live over in Lincoln, (but) not a lot of footy that’s for sure,” she said.

“I played A-Grade (netball) at a very young age which was awesome, so I always thought I’d go on to play lots of netball, but when the opportunities started coming through with footy, I took them and that has worked for me.

“I’d say I definitely (grew) a heap of confidence being thrown around (at A-Grade level) and being exposed to bigger bodies definitely taught me a heap on and off the court.”

The 17-year-old is the youngest player on Port Adelaide’s list, but the confident teenager has already slotted into the group well.

Syme was an integral part of South Australia’s winning under-18 national championships campaign in April and has also enjoyed two successful years for Norwood in the SANFLW.

“This year was definitely a huge one for me,” Syme said.

“I won the rising star award (for Norwood) last year and the bunch of girls that I was playing with just made it a great experience. This year was awesome, it was fast paced but I’m very grateful for it.”

As one of South Australia’s top picks, Syme was flown to Melbourne to attend the NAB AFLW Draft in person, along with close members of her family.

The Port Next Generation Academy graduate was excitedly supported by her Wilderness boarding house mates from afar when she was chosen as South Australia’s third draft pick.

As expected, the following few days were a whirlwind and a challenge for Syme to get her head around.

“It’s totally a blur, this is my first day of rest basically and back to training tonight,” she said.

“I’m slowly, slowly taking it all in but it's a been a whole experience and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Looking to the season ahead, Syme is particularly excited about the historic first Showdown on Friday 30 September at Adelaide Oval.

“It’s going to be a good one and I know all the South Aussies are going to love it and I’m really, really looking forward to it,” she said.

“(We’re) not going to be scared of anyone that we come up against. I think it’s going to be a really tough season for us obviously, but I think it’s going to be a good one.”