RETURNING as an over-ager now the NAB League Girls has returned to an Under 18s format, Macie Gilmour is looking to be a leader for her Gippsland Power teammates. The midfielder/forward is a 2003-born talent who has chosen to return to the Power in 2022, having come through the program over the past few years and throughly enjoyed it. Speaking to Gilmour at the NAB League Girls Preseason Testing Day in December, she hoped that her experience would aid her younger teammates.

“I think understanding how it feels to come into the program really young,” Gilmour said. “Just being able to encourage them and keep them going and motivated and letting them know that they’re just doing the best job. They’ve got the best players and coaches around them to keep going, so I think just keeping them motivated and encouraging.”

Gippsland Power has endured a tough start to the season, with a 59-point loss to Greater Western Victoria Rebels, and a 135-point defeat at the hands of Dandenong Stingrays, but with so many bottom-age and Under 16s talents, the Power are all about development. For Gilmour, she earned her place in the team having come through the Wonthaggi Power and did the hard yards to slot into the Gippsland Power lineup.

“I started playing footy when I was 13 and then when I was about 15/16 I went into V/Line (Cup) and then eventually made my way up to the NAB Girls side and now top-age,” she said.

“I would say my strengths would definitely be my groundball work and the ability to read the ball outside the play.”

As for her main area of improvement, Gilmour said she hoped to build a bigger tank in order to have a greater impact through the middle, for longer.

“Definitely my endurance, being able to run out a full game, and high overhead marks, being able to hold them,” she said. “I’d like to give midfield another run, but I do like a high forward position.”

Her 2020 season, like all the NAB League Girls, was over before it had barely begun, so getting a full season in 2022 is one of her main aims for this year.

“My goals would definitely be hopefully get a full season in this year and just really try and utilise my position I have working alongside the greatest players and coaches and having mentors around us while we can,” Gilmour said.