CALDER Cannons top-ager Maddison Albrecht is a tenacious utility who can play both through the middle and up forward, and impressed as a bottom-ager last year. She averaged 14.9 disposals and 4.9 tackles throughout 14 games, becoming a regular component of the Cannons’ midfield while pumping the ball inside 50 on average 3.5 times per game and kicking seven goals for the season.
Though Albrecht missed the Cannons’ first few games, she return to face the Geelong Falcons yesterday, with Calder taking it up to the Falcons but getting overrun in the last term. Albrecht had the nine disposals, two tackles, one inside 50 and two rebound 50s in the match.
We spoke to the Calder talent at the Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day.
Q: Maddison, tell us about your football journey, how you got started and into the Cannons?
MA: “Well my football journey at Craigieburn Football Club because my older brother played there and my dad and my family had been playing my whole lives as well. I got invited to the EDFL representative squad and went onto the Essendon Daniher squad where I then got an invite to Cannons and that’s where I started trialling and I made it, and I’ve been playing there since.
Q: Did you watch a lot of footy growing up?
MA: “My dad played when he was younger and all four of my siblings played as well. I’m the second youngest.”
Q: Do you support a club at the top level?
MA: “I support the Essendon the Football Club.”
Q: Are there any players you look up and aspire to be like?
MA: “In the AFLW I’d probably say Georgie Prespakis because she’s really explosive with her football and gets all those clearances but in the AFL it used to be ‘Tippa’ (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti) because of the speed he used in the forwardline.”
Q: Is that a similar role you anticipate playing with the Cannons this year?
MA: “That’s exactly what I want to do. Quick forward.”
Q: What do you see as your strengths and improvements?
MA: “My best asset would be my speed alongside my forward pressure, something I think I need to work on a little bit more is kicking under pressure and kicking on the run.
Q: What goals do you have for the year?
MA: “My goal would be to make Vic Metro, but we’ll see what happens.”
