GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels midfielder Milly Shortal earned a late call-up to Vic Country last year, playing in the final game before earning a spot with the side in the summer hub. Also a talented basketballer, Shortal thrives on the football culture and is ready to make every post a winner in 2026.

We spoke to Shortal at the recent Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, game and goals.”

Q: Milly, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?

MS: “I started playing when I was 12 because my friend’s dad was coaching the local girl’s team so that’s when I got involved.”

Q: Were you playing any other sport growing up?

MS: “I was big on basketball.”

Q: At a high level or just locally?

MS: “I played locally and then I joined the Ballarat Miners for the rest of my junior career.”

Q: Was there any reason you started to side with football now?

MS: “I just really love the environment and the community, everyone gets around each other.”

Q: Do you watch a lot of football?

MS: “I watch a lot of the Brisbane Lions games.”

Q: Any reason? Just family?

MS: “They’re who I support, so I get around them.”

Q: Any reason you support them in particularly?

MS: “Well my dad’s dad went for Fitzroy so when Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy collided we just all jumped on board.”

Q: Are there any players you look up to or model your game on?

MS: “Probably Eilish Sheerin, she doesn’t play for Brisbane, but I really feel like a lot of her traits I see in myself so I look up to her a lot.”

Q: What are some of your strengths and improvements?

MS: “Probably explosiveness and competitiveness, and then a thing I’m still working on are my aerial craft.”

Q: What role or position do you think you’ll play?

MS: “I’ll probably fall in the midfield a lot of the time, and I might go back a bit.”

Q: What goals have you set up for the year?

MS: “My goals would be to hopefully make the Vic Country squad and play all four games. That would be really good.”