Seventeen women’s draft hopefuls will tonight become Western Bulldogs players at the third AFL Women’s Draft at Etihad Stadium.

With 268 players nominated for the women’s draft, 34 players will have their AFL dreams become a reality, as both the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Football Club look to complete their playing lists ahead of the two scheduled exhibition matches later this season.

Both matches will be played as curtain raisers to the AFL fixtures scheduled between the two clubs on Sunday 24 May and Sunday 16 August.

In accordance with the competition rules, both Melbourne and the Bulldogs have retained six players from their 2014 women’s playing list, with the remainder going back into the pool of draft hopefuls.

Newly appointed Western Bulldogs women’s team coach Craig Starcevich has retained Katie Brennan, Stephanie Chiocci, Moanna Hope, Emma Kearney, Darcy Vescio and 2014 captain Aasta O’Connor on his list for the 2015 fixtures.

Starcevich has been attending trial matches around the country in recent weeks to assess his options ahead of tonight’s draft.

Each team will make 17 selections, with the Dogs holding the number one pick. Melbourne has had the first pick in the AFL Women’s Draft the past two years.

This year marks 100 years since the first recorded women’s football match.

Supporters can live stream tonight’s AFL Women’s Draft by clicking here from 7:00pm AEST,  event or follow @westernbulldogs on Twitter for live updates from the draft room at Etihad Stadium.