IT must be nice to earn recognition at state level in multiple sporting codes. Tahlia Meier knows that feeling, having done so in both cricket and football, and has made up her mind in 2022 as to which path to travel. Cricket’s loss is football’s gain this time around, with the midfielder-forward returning to the GWV Rebels for another NAB League Girls campaign.

The diminutive ball winner often juggled the two commitments and saw them overlap at times, but had to make a more definitive choice as women’s footballing seasons were pushed forward right into the heart of cricket season this year. Putting her decision down to a “love” for Australia’s game, Meier has hit the ground running as an over-age prospect.

“I started out playing cricket originally and football was there to keep fit during the off-season,” Meier said. “I transferred over to footy and haven’t really looked back. “I love footy more than cricket.

“It was four days a week down in Melbourne for cricket, then I’d be missing all my preseason for footy so the first couple of rounds they’d put me down in the forward pocket because I was a bit rusty.

“I guess the difference between footy and cricket is that footy is so much more fun. “It’s more team driven, whereas cricket is really individual and in footy, your day isn’t over if you make one mistake.”

The 18-year-old represented Vic Country in last year’s Under 19 National Championships, and also turned out thrice for the Western Bulldogs’ VFLW outfit. After being overlooked at the draft, the “opportunity” of NAB League football remained, and Meier has shifted to North Melbourne ahead of more potential state league exposure.

“I feel like there’s better opportunity (in the NAB League), more people watching,” she said. “I’m just not rushing it, I’m looking at getting a good season under my belt.

“(Playing VFLW in 2021) was incredible. To see how fit and strong and the difference in the pace of the game compared to NAB League, it just shows you where you need to get to if you want to make it.

“Now I’m training every Saturday with North (Melbourne). “Bumping shoulders with Emma Kearney and Jasmine Garner – you can’t get a better preseason really.”

A couple of Meier’s preseason goals surrounded fitness and starting her new campaign well, given she had previously had her football preparation eaten up by cricket commitments. With three NAB League rounds down, Meier’s plan to play midfield has come to fruition and her speed and smarts have proven handy around the ball.

The 153cm talent is averaging 15.7 disposals and two inside 50s so far, with her and the Rebels’ next challenge coming on Saturday with a home ground clash against the Western Jets to open Round 4.