AFTER getting a taste for Vic Country football last year, GWV Rebels‘ ruck Kalani Scoullar is keen for more. The talented teenager was able to step up for the Under 19s Country side in her bottom-age year, making a number of friends to hold her in good stead for the upcoming 2022 season. Named in the Vic Country hub, Scoullar looks destined to lead the ruck division both there, and at her Rebels, which is something she loves doing.

“It’s good. I love footy, I don’t mind doing it all year round, it’s good to be back with the Rebels,” Scoullar said. “This year I’ll try and play a bit more forward, because I’m not really experienced there. “I love the ruck because it’s just where I do my job best, and I love giving my midfielders first touch of the ball.”

Scoullar’s journey began like so many others, playing in the boys’ competition before boarding in Ballarat and then eventually earning a place in the NAB League Girls pathway with the Rebels.

“I started playing with my brother at Under 14s because I live in a really small town, so we’re always short on numbers,” Scoullar said. “So just jumped in with the boys, then went to boarding school in Ballarat, and got picked up by the Rebels, had a season with them last year and it was really good.”

Scoullar then stepped up for Vic Country off the back of a superb season through the ruck for the Rebels, an experience she describes as “great”.

“I’ve just made lifelong friendships between that team,” Scoullar said. “We went really well and won all of our games. Great team, great experience.”

Earning her place in the Vic Country hub for 2022, Scoullar took part in the educational camps held at Tullamarine as way of getting to know everyone ahead of the season.

“That was a really good experience,” Scoullar said. “It was good to get to know all the girls as it was a new group coming through, so it was just good to meet everyone, learn and see the coaches and just have a great experience down at The Hanger which was really nice.”

On an individual level, Scoullar said her strength and aerial ability was what held her in high regards, whilst she was hoping to improve her marking.

“I really want to have that (marking) as a really strong suit and be known for that as a tall person, and really work on moving my feet and getting really set up around the ball,” she said.

“Definitely my brute strength (is a strength), being a big girl I’m able to use my body to get the ball. “Also my impact up in the air, especially my ruck craft, to give my midfielders first touch and first hit of the game.”

Fast forward 12 months, and Scoullar has her sights set on rising even higher with her football.

“Hopefully I get drafted to a club and just be an integral part of that team, do my role and make an impact,” she said.