HAVING come from a multitude of different sporting backgrounds, South Adelaide Women’s Ella Besley is looking forward to her footy in 2022. The Panthers midfielder is a hard running midfielder who has been honing her craft in the juniors. Now that South Adelaide has a number of midfield opportunities for younger players, Besley is keen to grab an opportunity she gets with both hands.

“I’ve got a bit of a basketball and netball background as well as surf, so I’ve come from there and all the fitness kind of stuff,” Besley said. “I just saw the boys playing and wanted to give it a go. “This is my fourth season, played Under 17s and then went straight up form there.”

Playing on a wing the last few seasons, Besley has her sights set on going back to her original role of onball, as well as resting forward. Her greatest strength and improvement are all related back to her running.

“Probably my running (is my main strength),” Besley said. “I do run a lot, I’m like a bit of a border collie. “I can’t sprint very well, but we work with it. “You’d think on the wing I’d be good at the sprinting!”

Though not overly confident in her sprinting, Besley has proven enough over her junior career to earn a call-up to the South Australian State Academy. Having not had a similar experience in previous years, the invitation was uncharted territory for the teenager.

“(It’s pretty cool actually,” Besley said. “I haven’t been in a State Academy before just because of random reasons, so this is my first State Academy which is pretty cool.”

Besley looks up to Panthers teammate and vice-captain Nicole Campbell in midfield. Campbell’s work rate is what stands out to the 17-year-old who would love the opportunity to run out alongside her.

As for her goals in 2022, Besley understands what her top-age year means. Though entering the senior program for the first time, she still holds her ultimate goal in mind.

“Like most girls I guess, draft year,” Besley said. “You’re looking towards that, working hard to get into the draft.”