BOTTOM-AGE young gun Marie Polimeno has worked hard to earn a spot in Western Australia’s Under 18s setup for the upcoming AFL Women’s National Championships. The South Fremantle defender came into the year hoping to act like a sponge and learn all she could through the summer squad, building on her deficiencies and eventually making the final team which she has done.
We spoke to Polimeno at the Western Australia Preseason Combine about her experiences, inspirations and what she hopes to tick off for the year ahead.
Q: Marie, give us a bit of a rundown into your football journey to where you are now?
MP: “Well I started footy playing in Under 12s when I was in Year 3 so about eight or nine. Played junior footy up until Year 8 and then I went down to South Freo and played pretty much two seasons in Rogers Cup and then was lucky enough to play the last two games of the season just gone with the League squad. I also played in the 16s state team and training with the 18s summer squad now.”
Q: How’s it been going through the pathway and getting that experience?
MP: “Yeah really exciting. Especially because when I started I was pretty much the smallest on the team. Didn’t really know what was going on, and then to be able to develop so much through the programs that I’ve been put through and be able to be a bit stronger now and grow a bit to be able to play to the best I can, really fortunate.”
Q: You’ve played alongside your sister too?
MP: “Yeah Annalie my older sister I got to play last year with through Rogers and also when I went up to League.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
MP: “Maybe like my composure playing backline. Probably coming out of that and also playing quite an attacking role off half-back.
Q: What are you looking to improve on?
MP: “A bit more of my strength to be able to not being the one being pushed around, but more being the one doing the pushing. Just being more physical and strong. And a bit more explosive, so like speed as well.”
Q: What role do you anticipate you’ll play this year?
MP: “Probably still off the half-back. To just keep playing that role, especially because I feel like I’ve gotten pretty good at and it’s the strongest position I could play to, to be bale to play off there again would just be great to keep helping out the team and do my role.”
Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?
MP: “Freo.”
Q: Is there a particular reason you went that way?
MP: “Just family. My mum and dad both grew up in Freo, so just supporting that team alongside them as well.”
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
MP: “My older sister Annalie. She was the reason I started playing so probably her, and being able to play with her especially has brought out more confidence in me.”
Q: Who’s someone you look up to at the elite level?
MP: “In Freo, Emma O’Driscoll. I feel like similar position and also with some of the development squads I’ve played through or trained with, she’s been there, so she’s pretty influential as well, so her.”
Q: Making the summer squad this year, what’s that been like and your experiences through that?
MP: “Really tough. Especially the big names and the really high skill level coming through. It’s been really good to push myself, but just really excited and such a big opportunity and something great to be a part of.”
Q: Just finally, what goals do you set for yourself this year?
MP: “Hopefully play more League footy and be able to work on those improvements like getting stronger and just being more explosive and damaging. But being able to hopefully make the 18s squad for the championships is something that I’d be working towards.”
