FROM doing cartwheels around the field having fun with an opponent to hoping to crack into South Australia’s state side, top-age Rooster Macy Philpott has enjoyed her journey through football. The North Adelaide prospect is a tall, developing talent who is yet to crack through for a League game but has set that as one of her goals for the season.

We spoke to Philpott at the South Australian Preseason Testing Day about how she got into football, who she looks up to, and what goals she set for 2025.

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

MP: “Well my brother played when he was little and I always watched him and then my dad got me into it because I obviously played netball from five years-old. I got into it at like nine or 10 and then I started playing in Under 12s at Walkerville. That’s my first ever memory, I remember I was doing cartwheels on the over because me and my opponent were mucking around because we were like nine.”

Q: Any reason you chose footy over netball?

MP: “I just enjoy it more.”

Q: Have you had any mentors along the way to help with your footy?

MP: “Just my coaches I think along the way, all of them have helped me differently.”

Q: In terms of your preseason, how’s that been and what’s the experience with the summer squad?

MP: “That was really good. I enjoyed preseason and the summer squad preseason three-day camp, I enjoyed that. The preseason’s been really hard, we’ve been doing lots of running.”

Q: Can you describe yourself as a player?

MP: “I think I’m an aerial player, definitely jumping and marking.”

Q: Are you still looking to improve on anything?

MP: “I think like groundballs and one of my things I need to work on is just being more aggressive to get the ball because sometimes I just hold back when I need to get in there and get it.”

Q: Do you watch a lot of footy, who do you support?

MP: “Yes I do, and Port Power.”

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

MP: “I love Matilda Scholz, I love how she plays. I think she’s definitely one who I love to watch and learn to play like.”

Q: Lastly what are you goals for the season?

MP: “Obviously I want to try and make the state squad, and along with that I’d love to debut for League as I haven’t debut yet. They’re my main two goals I’ve got.”