A MOVE into the South Adelaide midfield helped youngster Brooke Boileau with her game and confidence to-boot, setting the top-ager up for a big season in 2023. The bottom-ager made the initial South Australian Under 18s Academy last season, but unfortunately missed out on the final cut. Instead of worrying about the setback, Boileau began building her midfield craft for the Panthers.

In the 2022 season, Boileau averaged 9.1 disposals, 1.1 marks, 3.5 tackles and 1.2 inside 50s, booting four goals in her 11 games. After initially starting forward, Boileau began to play more of a midfielder/forward role and use her strong frame to apply pressure to opposition midfielders at the coalface. Having come through local football with the goal of playing AFL Women’s, Boileau was pleased to get those midfield minutes.

“I started playing footy about four seasons ago with Mt Compass Football Club,” Boileau said. About two seasons in, I got picked up by South and this will be my third season. “My ultimate goal is to be a midfielder. I was a bit of a forward and then worked my way in, so hopefully i stick in there this year.”

Back in the South Australian Academy for 2023, Boileau is hoping to make the final cut this time, with the state having tasted success last season, winning its inaugural AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. Though Boileau missed out last season, she hopes to make the team and run out in the tri-colours against the best in the country.

“I think I’ve improved with everything,” Boileau said. “This year I feel like I’m more confident in myself, so that will be a big step for me. “(I’ll) keep working hard and I’m going to be trialling for state program so I need to get into that, that’s really the goal. Then hopefully wherever that takes me.”

Boileau said her mother had the greatest influence on her career, describing her as “inspiring” and very supportive of her footballing journey. On the field, the forward-midfielder looks up to a talented Crows midfielder.

“I love watching Anne Hatchard and the way she plays footy,” Boileau said. “Really inspiring and I’d love to play like that one day.”

In 2023, Boileau said she is looking to improve “all the fundamentals” in her game, but was particularly honing in on getting penetration with her kicking.

“I feel like I’m pretty good hunting for the ball, pretty aggressive when tackling,” she said. “I’d like to stick those ones, but I’ll try to improve everything this year. I’d want to get more powerful with my legs with kicking, that’s the main one.”

Now with the season just over a month away and the Panthers hosting grand finalists Sturt on February 18 in a twilight clash, Boileau is looking forward to getting stuck into it.

“I’m really looking forward to this season, I’ve been working pretty hard and I’m just really excited,” she said.