Football culture wins over Denby Taylor
DESCRIBED as “Dad’s only son”, Denby Taylor has forged her own sporting pathway after growing up balancing both football and netball. Taylor said he father was a “footy nut” and could not be prouder that the Geelong Falcons star had followed football. “I’d probably say my dad has been the biggest influence,” she said. “I […]
Prespakis overcomes initial pressure for impressive top-age year
THERE are plenty of talented players who have followed the Youth Girls pathways, but the name Madison Prespakis is one that has been frequently mentioned within the pathways. With accolades that include TAC Cup Girls Best and Fairest, two-time Vic Metro Most Valuable Player, joint overall Most Valuable Player at the National Under 18 Championships and […]
Webber rises to success against the odds
AS a youngster who loved to watch her brother play football, Nikia Webber asked her dad if she could do the same. He was against the idea because he perceived football as a masculine sport at the time. But after persistence from a young Webber, she got the opportunity to kick a footy around in a […]
Prespakis, Morrison look to future after sharing TAC Cup Girls Best and Fairest
WHEREVER one of Madison Prespakis and Nina Morrison goes, the other seems to follow, with the duo backing up their AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships Most Valuable Player (MVP) award by being crowned dual winners of the TAC Cup Girls Best and Fairest. Prespakis has long been touted as one of the best Under-18 female footballers while Morrison […]
Butler leads by example
USING her experience to lead by example has been a cornerstone of Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels captain Lauren Butler’s game this season. While Butler said her skills and decision making are among her personal strengths on the field, she has been working hard to use her experience over years of football to guide her […]
Cann powers home with remarkable improvement
IF there is one player in the TAC Cup Girls competition who has come from the back of the pack to storm home in the final straight, it is Eastern Ranges’ Mikala Cann. Having starred as a sprinter, and enjoyed playing basketball, Cann decided to try her hand at football once her friends were taking […]
Consistent Connor continues to make the most of his TAC Cup journey
WHEN he missed out on getting the call-up to Vic Metro, Connor Thar was admittedly “pretty shattered”. But instead of worry about the things outside of his control, Thar buckled down in the TAC Cup and became the most prominent ball winner in the competition. The Western Jets midfielder has racked up 412 disposals at […]
Bate kicking goals at all levels
HOLLY Bate has never really listened to popular opinion. If she had, she might never have joined Prahran and kick-started a football career that would see her take out the TAC Cup Girls Leading Goalkicker Award in her top-age year. Looking back, Bate is glad she took the chance on running around with the boys. “Well […]
Walmsley grabs opportunity with both hands
IT was no surprise that Geelong Falcons’ Sophie Walmsley took to Australian Rules without much work, having already rowed, played local netball and school soccer. “It started last year, I was playing netball with Newtown & Chilwell and I was in Year 12 and the girls that were playing footy on Sunday just said ‘come have a […]
Lifelong footballer Szigeti edges closer to AFLW dream
WHEN Lauren Szigeti ran out on a football field for the first time, there was no elite pathway for women in Australian Rules. Unlike many contemporaries, the fact there was no national competition did not douse her desire to get the best out of herself. In fact, she grabbed every opportunity she could, playing all […]
