AFTER missing out on successive Vic Metro programs over the last few seasons, the hunger and desire to reach the top level was something that never went away for Oakleigh Chargers top-ager Abbey Vicino. The talented midfielder who identified adding extra strings to her bow was the key to being a point of difference for selectors, showed she could match it with the best at the national carnival.

One of a number of AFLW State Combine invitees following a breakout year in a new role, Vicino said she had always had the passion to go as far as she could in the code since joining the sport.

“I started playing footy I think I was about 11,” she said. “Played for the Ashy (Ashburton) Redbacks and I was originally in track and field but footy was just something fun on the side. Then I realised it was my calling at that point.”

Vicino would trial at the Chargers, earn a spot on the talented list, and then do everything she could to make a Metro squad through her underage seasons, except it did not happen. However, the 18-year-old now looks back at that time as a blessing, rather than a curse, while making it all more the satisfying to be named in Metro’s final squad for the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships.

“I think not making it as a 16 and then not getting a trial as a 17, not making the Metro hub and then making it finally in the middle of the year was probably the best thing for me,” she said.

“I was able to use it as motivation that I knew what I had to do, and what I had to work on so I definitely think it was the best thing for me and I was very grateful for the experience when it did come round.”

With an abundance of talented midfielders across the six metropolitan regions, Vicino made the move to become a two-way high-forward. A natural tackling machine who is clean by hand and has some eye-catching quick hands, she quickly adapted to the new role.

“It was really good,” Vicino said of the positional shift. “Moved out of the midfield to play high half-forward and I’ve loved it. I really enjoyed it, I think the way we play at Oakleigh is super fast and based around a lot around work rate and it really helped me slot in well, and it was nice to hit the scoreboard and get some reward for effort.”

Work rate is something that comes naturally to the former track-and-fielder who described it among her strengths with her agility and handballing vision. Knowing she needs to further develop her aerial one-on-one work despite it not being a player of 158cm’s “shtick”, Vicino sets herself the goal of at least halving each contest.

The “through and through” Collingwood supporter has enjoyed plenty of premiership success of late, seeing the men’s team salute last year, either side of back-to-back Oakleigh flags at Coates Talent League Girls level. Vicino described the experience of winning consecutive flags as “amazing” and the journey has been “really special”.

“The first one was complete euphoria and was just really exciting because I think we did go in as underdogs all season coming off our 2022 which wasn’t amazing, so 2023 was so euphoric, and then I think this year being favourites it was just a relief we got the job done,” Vicino said. “But just an unreal experience with an unreal group of girls, unreal coaches.”

As for her own game, Vicino looks to replicate the work of Richmond superstar Monique Conti, bearing some similar two-way traits and “energy” around the football.

“I do love the way Mon Conti goes about it,” Vicino said. “Her dash through the midfield is really exciting to me. Obviously truing to replicate that up forward as much as possible. Her energy up around the footy is pretty elite.”

Following the combine, Vicino will now keep working towards the 2024 AFLW Draft coming up in December as she is one of many draft prospects hoping to hear her name read out on draft night.