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.
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 […]
