CENTRAL District defender Madison Lane has not lost the passion to play at the top level, and is fiercely working away at anything that can help her achieve her goal. Having come through the junior pathways for the tri-colours at the AFL Women’s Under 16 and Under 19 Championships – including a captaincy gig – Lane has steadily improved year on year, going from a small forward to a rebounding defender, and now she has another role in mind for season 2023.

“My last year’s role in defence was good, I think I’m starting to get the hang of it and smashing that role and understanding my position but we’ll see this year I might switch up the position and see how we go, try something else out,” Lane said. “Hopefully I can have a look into midfield this year and understand that role. I guess move on to becoming a better player all around the ground.”

Central District is coming off its best season in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s yet, and despite finishing sixth, was competitive in far more games. Lane said she has noticed the evolution of the club over the years she had been there, and how the determination had only grown.

“Our club was this year as well I think as well is becoming such a big part and our culture’s changing,” Lane said. “Everyone in the team is on the same level and everyone’s striving to be the best player they can be for the team so it’s really good and so exciting this season.”

Unfortunately a 1-4 start to the season forced the Bulldogs to play catchup, before stunning the previously undefeated Sturt in Round 6. Central District went on to win four games in the final seven rounds, but fell a win and percentage short of the top four.

“I think that (slow start) affected us last year in our end score,” Lane said. “I think our record in the past few years has us starting off slow and ending on a high, but hopefully that we can be more consistent throughout and start on a high and still end on a high.”

Central District will look a lot different inside 50 this coming season, with some taller talents returning to the fray including Katelyn Rosenzweig and potentially 2021 league leading goalkicker Chantel Reynolds. The Bulldogs will be minus Georgia McKee (anterior cruciate ligament injury), but have the next batch of young guns coming through the program. Lane highlighted the Barossa region as a goldmine of talent.

“They’re just amazing players and it’s so exciting to see how young these players are coming through and still reaching the level that everyone else is at,” Lane said. “Obviously there’s some things they need to work on, but 100 per cent to see these girls come through at such a young age is so exciting for this competition.”

From an experience standpoint, Lane was excited to run out alongside North Adelaide premiership top-ager, Elaine Grigg. The Bulldogs defender also said she was keen to see further development from current Central players such as fellow leadership group member, Laitiah Huynh who she tipped to produce a breakout year.

“Our new player Griggy, she’s a superstar,” Lane said. “I’m so excited to see her take the field in our colours. Obviously we’ve got our leader Shelby (Smith), she’s amazing too. She not only does all the things that she says, she also pushes us to do them. There’s a few more, Tiah (Huynh) she’s a really good wing, this year I think is going to bring out the best of her games in our past five years in SANFL.”

Lane said the community at Elizabeth is always supportive of the players, but said she was “sick” of getting commiseration messages when it came to the regular season ending, and wanted more congratulations, through the Bulldogs making finals.

“The whole group of players that we have this year is just outstanding I think everyone is ready to hit that finals I think,” she said. “All of us are sick of hearing ‘oh good luck, try and get there this year’ or ‘you’re almost, you’re close to getting to finals’ but not close enough. Hopefully this year we can hear everyone say ‘well done on finals’.”

Lane is leaving no stone unturned in her bid to reach the AFL Women’s, with her desire still at “100 per cent” to make it there.

“I think this year’s probably I’ve improved more and this year I want that top position to reach AFL,” Lane said. “I’m very determined to get there so hopefully that my season is injury free so I can get to that level, that would be great.”

The defender soon-to-be midfielder said she was more than happy to look interstate if it meant getting her chance, and wanted to maximise the possibility of clubs outside Adelaide and Port Adelaide keeping tabs on her.

“As much as I love South Australia, I’m happy to reach out to other clubs and see where I can get and I’m just really looking for the experience, wanting to reach out to that top level,” Lane said. “I’m really not too fussed on where I end up, I’m just wanting to get to that level.”

In 2023, Lane is looking to improve her confidence around the ground and look to take the game on more. Though a reliable and accountable defender, Lane has the athletic traits to do a lot of damage with ball-in-hand and admitted in the past the “safe” option was to ensure she did not turn the ball over, but a move into the midfield could see her bursting from stoppages going forward.

Over the preseason, the 19-year-old is working hard on improving her power and strength across the ground in a bid to be as prepared as she can be for the upcoming SANFL Women’s season.

“We have got a new strength and conditioning coach and we’re looking at different programs this year,” Lane said. “I think even doing our IDP before trainings, make sure I’m getting there early to work on those things that I’m not as strong in and I need strength in.

“Working on those every week and then talking to the coaches, discussing how I can improve and then obviously implementing my strength and conditioning to make sure that I’m powerful and strong and speedy.”