Ham ticks off goal with “nice surprise”
THOUGH it was a goal for her top-age year, Montana Ham said being invited into the AFL Women’s Academy was a “nice surprise”. Not having any inclination as to whether or not she had made it after a couple of strong seasons at the Western Jets, Ham said it was an honour to be named […]
Geelong Falcons primed for big 2022
AFTER an impressive 2021 NAB League Girls season on all fronts, the Geelong Falcons Girls are raring to go into 2022. Five players landed on AFL Women’s lists over the off-season, which followed on from the side reaching the grand final. Though they fell short on the day, they had a memorable year, which also […]
PODCAST | Game Sense – Episode 4
THE fourth episode of GAME SENSE is out now. The latest Australian rules football podcast hosted by Rookie Me Central Chief Editor Peter Williams teaming up with women’s football analyst Alyce Collett features interviews from two rising NAB League Girls stars, as well as wrapping up Round 1 of the AFL Women’s and previewing a […]
Gooley enjoys footy focus
BEING able to fully concentrate on her next move purely in the moment helps Astrid Gooley enjoy Australian rules football more than anything else. The talented Woodville-West Torrens Women’s forward has been playing the sport throughout her high school days, and said the aspect of it that she enjoyed the most was when she was […]
Di Donato “really excited” for season
AFTER a breakout 2021 NAB League Girls season, Bendigo Pioneers Girls Octavia Di Donato cannot wait to get stuck back into the action. The talented utility had a huge off-season, being named not only in the Vic Country hub, but also as a member of the AFL Women’s Academy. “It’s been really exciting for me,” […]
Knights excited for Futures
AFTER an interrupted last couple of years be it in-season or off-season, Northern Knights Girls Talent Operations Lead Nat Grindal is excited for the future. Not only for the immediate future and hope that 2022 will bring about less interruptions, but also the new Futures squad at the club, welcoming almost 50 new faces into […]
Walker thrives on team atmosphere
HAVING come from a basketball and netball background, Sturt Women’s youngster Tahlia Walker has loved the atmosphere that comes with playing footy. Though the teenager has fond memories of those codes, it is what she found by joining Aussie rules that really made her fall in love with her new sport. “I played basketball and […]
Van Dyke excited by Falcons’ youth
HAVING risen through the Geelong Falcons Girls pathway herself, Mia Van Dyke knows what to look for when it comes to talent. The versatile tall utility can play anywhere on the football field, and after reaching the 2021 NAB League Grand Final – and falling one win short of a premiership – she is excited […]
Gippsland Power prepared for early start
IT might be a shorter turnaround than usual, but Gippsland Power Girls Gameday Operations Coordinator Chelsea Caple is excited about the possibilities. The Power were spread out across their satellite programs prior to Christmas as a way of minimising travel ahead of what is always a hefty schedule for the south east Victorian NAB League […]
Ellis aiming to be her best self
SOUTH Australian State Under 18s Academy member Jemma Ellis just wants to become the best possible player she can be. The South Adelaide Women’s talent was recently included in the Academy and is looking to have more of an impact at senior level in 2022. Her football journey started not that long ago, and she […]
Bushrangers balance shorter preseason
BALANCE has been the key for the Murray Bushrangers Girls side according to assistant coach Mario de Santa-ana. Speaking to Rookie Me Central at the NAB League Girls Preseason Testing Day, de Santa-ana said the coaching staff had sought advice from the high performance experts in order to deal with the shorter turnarounds between seasons. […]
Determined Dakota “hated footy” now thriving
ACUTELY aware of where her strengths and improvements lay, Central District Women’s youngster Dakota Williams has a future plan. The South Australian State Under 18s Academy member has a unique personality with brutal honesty about what she has, and what she wants in her future. While so many her age are still weighing up their […]
