TOUGH inside midfielder/forward Zoe Curry has spent plenty of time in the car over the last few years, having started her football career in New South Wales, before relocating to Victoria, and representing all of the Oakleigh Chargers, GWS Giants Academy and Allies squads.
We spoke to the National Academy member about her football journey, how she balances all her commitments, game and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Zoe, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
ZC: “I started playing footy in teh district Under 12s and I was maybe 10, so I played two years for that for Turvey Park. I was playing netball at the time and mum encouraged me to go, brothers were playing so it was just easy. Started from there, played all the way to 16s and did some rep commitments for New South Wales and moved down here (Victoria) in Year 10 so I was 15 and started playing Futures here at Oakleigh and obviously my Academy commitments through that with Giants, and I’ve just gone through that and stayed down here and progressed through the system.”
Q: What is that travel like given you do have the games with the Giants and Chargers and Allies?
ZC: “It’s a lot. I have to stay very organised, mum helps me with that. They’re very good at communication at Giants and Oakleigh, Allies and everyone in between. They keep it nice and simple for me. It can get a lot, but it’s also a really good experience to travel and see new places and play through various teams.”
Q: Getting the national champs experience and National Academy, how’s that rise been for you?
ZC: “It’s really good. Being in the Allies as an under-ager last year was a real step up for me and it really showed me what I need to get to and what I need to aspire to the level to be at to play at the highest level which has been really good for my development. Just meeting heaps of girls and heaps of new coaches has been awesome, they’ve all taught me new things.”
Q: Are you still looking to play mid-forward? Mostly mid?
ZC: “I think this year it will be a bit of mid-forward with a little bit of half-back in between. But for me it’s really about building what I’m already strong at, but really knuckling down those improvements and RFIs so I can really be the best player I can be this year.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
ZC: “I’d definitely say my inside contested work is really good. My power from the stoppage, I think I’ve got a nice long boot and my leadership are all strong qualities of mine.”
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
ZC: “Definitely that endurance side of the game where instead of me just giving out the hands, it’s my being involved in the chain of play and progressing down the field so really building that tank and using my kick effectively I’d say.”
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
ZC: “There’s a few, I’d say definitely say my older brother and my dad, but as well, Michael Mazzocchi he’s been really like a constant for me in my footy journey and then of course Ty Vickery down here, he’s really pushed me I’d say.”
Q: Which AFLW club do you support?
ZC: “I support Carlton in the men’s so I suppose I support Carlton in the women’s.”
Q: Is there a player you look up to or model your game on?
ZC: “I really like Charlie Rowbottom, I think we’re quite similar in the way we go about our games, but I also really like the work of Poppy Scholz, her ability to get around the ground and use her height and her skills is really good so that’s who I look up to.”
Q: What goals do you set for yourself this year?
ZC: “This year I think it’s to have fun and balance my footy with my school, but also just give myself and set myself up for having a really good year so knuckling down on my improvements and putting in the work behind the scenes. Using all my resources that I’m lucky enough to have, to my best ability.”
