NORTHERN Knights captain, Maddy Brancatisano enjoyed her leadership role throughout the TAC Cup Girls season, as she led her side to the inaugural TAC Cup Girls Grand Final.
Her sister, Lily captained the Knights last year and now plays for Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s competition. But despite the family name, Brancatisano did not expect to be handed the captaincy this year.
“I just did not think about it (being captain), it didn’t even come to my mind,” she said. “Then I got asked, I was so flattered. “It was awesome to lead those girls.”
The Knights midfielder ultimately led her side to a near perfect record, winning against every team except the Geelong Falcons. Leading a young side, the 18 year-old was initially focused on their development, but admits that she was able to develop her leadership as well.
“Being able to lead everyone and just direct them around, it helps also my confidence too,” Brancatisano said.
This certainly showed on the field, as the 18 year-old led by example with her clean hands, fierce tackling and elite ball-use. Not only did she benefit from the captaincy, but she also benefited from bonding with her teammates. Brancatisano says there was rarely a moment that she didn’t enjoy in their company.
“I don’t think there was a session where we didn’t have fun or enjoy it,” the Knights midfielder said. “We got so close, it was like family.”
She believes that her captaincy role enabled her to showcase her own skills, which was well-recognised throughout the season. Brancatisano was named in the best four times and was rewarded with a place in the Vic Metro squad for the National AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. Amidst her TAC Cup journey, the 18 year-old admits that playing for Vic Metro never really crossed her mind.
“You don’t really think about it (playing Nationals) in TAC Cup, it’s more just about the winning and developing,” Brancatisano said. “When I got the invitation, I was rapt.”
With nationals football now on her busy plate, Brancatisano is prioritising Aussie Rules over her second love, basketball. But despite being in Year 12 this year, the Knights captain was reluctant to give up the sport she has been playing since she was a child.
“I’ve been doing it (basketball) my whole life and I’ve just grown up around it,” Brancatisano said. “I’ve never really been selected for many state things or anything so I’ve just been enjoying it and playing because I love it. “But at the moment, playing SEABL (South East Australian Basketball League), it’s such a high level so I’m rapt to be able to do that, even if I sit on the bench and play a few minutes. “Not sure if I’ll do it next year with football, but I’ll just see where that goes.”
She has a lot of football ahead of her, as she is training with Carlton’s Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s side and is about to hop on a plane to the Gold Coast to play for Vic Metro.
Even though she loves her sport, Brancatisano still has her sights set on university next year, but would love to continue to pursue her bright football career.
Howley hopping up the seaboard to chase dream
LIKE dozens of her peers, this week saw the realisation of a dream for young star Sara Howley, who was drafted to the GWS Giants in Monday night’s AFL Women’s Draft. But, the realisation of that dream has meant having another kind of realisation – a big move away from home. But, the Geelong Falcon […]
Former Oztag Aussie captain chases AFLW dream
STORIES like Brooke Bailey do not come around too often. While cross-coder journeys are nothing new, few have represented – let alone captained – their nation at international level. However for the Sydney Swans train-on and three-time East Coast Eagles premiership player, that is exactly the case. “I grew up playing Oztag since the age […]
Trending the Wright way for Tiger cub
NATIONAL Academy member Claudia Wright has had more than her fair share of setbacks over the last couple of years, missing the entire 2023 WAFLW season, and only playing one AFLW Under 18 Championships match out of a possible six. But through it all, the versatile top-ager has remained a player of interest for AFLW […]
Harrington grateful for “amazing” opportunity
QUEENSLAND AFLW Draft prospect Tara Harrington has not been lost on just how valuable the experiences have been for her over the last couple of years. Speaking to Rookie Me Central at the National Draft Combine, Harrington said despite missing the bulk of the year through injury, still felt connected thanks to assisting with the […]
Q&A: Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)
BOASTING a powerful kick and great strength, Tasmanian Mackenzie Williams is the standout AFLW Draft prospect from the Apple Isle this year. Williams has long been among the draft talents for 2024, having represented the Devils and Allies for the past three years and really shone as that intercepting and rebounding defender. However in 2024, […]
Pies’ Patterson prepared for next level
ONE of only two father-daughter prospects in this year’s AFL Women’s Draft, Violet Patterson has gone about building a nice CV leading up to next Monday’s night of nights. Tied to Collingwood thanks to her father Stephen’s 96 games in the black and white, Patterson looms as a high upside prospect with a nice balance […]
Q&A: Chloe Gaunt (Brisbane Lions Academy)
A LATE bloomer to the code as well as admittedly getting more serious about her fitness over the off-season, athletic key forward Chloe Gaunt received a AFLW National Draft Combine invite. Bursting with potential as a 182cm utility who can roll into the ruck, the raw key showed glimpses of what she is capable of […]
Q&A: Emma Juneja (Swans Academy)
HARD-RUNNING wing Emma Juneja looms as Sydney Swans Academy’s top Academy draft prospect in the December 16 AFLW Draft, having pieced together a consistent top-age season. She played across multiple competitions for the Academy, Allies and Sydney University, as well as running out for the National Academy. We spoke to Juneja at the AFLW National […]
Determined Rasheed raises own bar
THEY say that you are your own harshest critic, and that could not be more true of young gun India Rasheed. The promising top 10 talent has long caught the eye of fans and recruiters alike, with Rasheed’s snap goal in the 2022 SANFLW Grand Final sending her viral around the footballing community. Considering the […]
