MAKING her Vic Country Under 18s debut against Vic Metro over the weekend following a return from injury, Murray Bushrangers defender Madison Ibrahim is a name to remember. She has been a shining light in Murray’s team this season, and though she has not played since Round 8, had a breakthrough game.

On that day, Ibrahim had 20 touches, two marks, nine tackles and four inside 50s in Murray’s tough loss against the Calder Cannons, beating her previous best of 18 disposals. While relatively new to football and still developing some fundamentals in her game, Ibrahim has outstanding speed and overall athleticism which underpins a profile with high upside.

We spoke to her during the preseason to find out about her football journey, game and goals for the future.

Q: Madison, tell us about your footy journey?

MI: “I actually first started at school footy and one of the local coaches saw me and thought I’ll invite her down, and went to Bushies from there.”

Q: How long have you been playing?

MI: “This will be my third year of football, so not too long.”

Q: Did you grow up playing other sports?

MI: “Yes I grew up waterskiing and playing basketball mainly.”

Q: Why did you choose footy?

MI: “I enjoyed it a lot more. The atmosphere of footy was a lot less cutthroat than basketball was and it just wasn’t for me.”

Q: In terms of your role this year where do you think you’ll play for the Bushies?

MI: “Across the half-back, that’s where I played most of my footy there last year.”

Q: Any rotation into the mid or half-forward?

MI: “Possible into the mid, not forward.”

Q: In terms of your game, what are your strengths and what are you still improving on?

MI: “My speed and my groundballs are my main strengths, but my physicalness and getting the contested possessions up they’re what I need to work on.”

Q: Relative to the other girls you’re new to footy, did you grow up watching it at all? Do you support a team?

MI: “I grew up watching it all my life. I support North Melbourne, so more happy about the girls than I am about the boys at the moment.”

Q: Do you have any players you look up to and try to play life?

MI: “I definitely try and play like Jas Garner a lot. Jas Ferguson in the backline, she’s one of my role models as well.”

Q: Have you have any mentors along the way?

MI: “Definitely my parents. Keeley Skepper, she’s come down a couple of trainings, she went to Carlton two years ago so she’s been a big help.”

Q: Are you still in school or studying?

MI: “Yeah doing Year 12 this year.”

Q: Have you thought ahead if you want to study or enter the workforce, would you be prepared to do that interstate?

MI: “Yes definitely, I’d be prepared to go anywhere really.”

Q: Your goals for the year, what kind of things do you want to tick off?

MI: “Being able to play out a full game, getting drafted would obviously be my main one. I just sort of set goals as I go along.”