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 […]
Humble O’Connor learns a lot from her football opportunities
NORTHERN Knights ruck, Neve O’Connor did not think she would be a part of the TAC Cup Girls program. Nor did she think she would be selected for Vic Metro. The 18 year-old ticked both those boxes this year and is enjoying learning about Australian Rules through these opportunities. Before she played at the Knights, O’Connor was […]
Father’s influence inspired Jemma Owen’s love for Aussie Rules
BEING the daughter of a man that has played and coached over 500 games in Melbourne’s south east region is no easy feat to live up to. Throw in an uncle who is a former Victorian Football Association (VFA) player for Oakleigh, and you have one talented football family. But perhaps the most talented of […]
Passionate McLaren leads by example in football journey
PERSEVERANCE and grasping opportunities have helped Oakleigh Chargers captain, Hannah McLaren reach the highest level of her junior football career. From somewhat sulking on the sidelines at Auskick, to leading the TAC Cup Girls side out each week, McLaren is a player who has grown throughout her football journey. “I started playing Auskick,” she said. “I used […]
Country girl Caris passing on lessons from “amazing experiences”
WHEN the siren sounded at the end of last year’s Herald Sun Shield Grand Final, Ballarat Grammar’s Rene Caris joined her teammates in rejoicing the win. It was not just a one-point victory, it was the result of many years of hard work and a close bond between the players. “I first started when I moved away […]
From “definitely not” interested in footy; Woods eyes off an AFLW career
FROM never intending to play football at all let alone at the highest level, Eastern Ranges co-captain Emerson Woods has certainly changed her tune of the past couple of years, going from strength to strength. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Woods found her love for the game after a while and now her sights are […]
Jet flies high in top-age year despite injury
HAVING been involved with the Western Jets since Under 15s, the exciting Zak Butters has become a familiar face at the club and has become equally as important to the side in the same time. While his final TAC Cup year is over due to shoulder surgery post National Under 18 Championships, he will still […]
Tasmania’s Lauren Stevenson grasps last-minute opportunity with both hands
EIGHTEEN year-old, Lauren Stevenson thought she would not have the opportunity to represent the Eastern Allies in 2018. She was told by her coaches to give the younger girls a chance, which she was completely accepted. But then her coaches backflipped in the most pleasing way she could imagine. “I went and played for Tasmania against NSW/ACT […]
Raw ruck talent learns to juggle workload
FINDING diamonds in the rough are what every recruiter and talent manager looks for, and if Geelong’s VFL Women’s and Geelong Falcons’ trial days are anything to go by, they are finding plenty of future footballers. For ruck Zoe Inei, it was about swapping the round ball for it’s oblong counterpart. “I played soccer for […]
Football wins over netball convert Rendelmann
CALDER Cannons ruck Carla Rendelmann might have always seen netball as her number one sport, but when the opportunity arose to join her family in Australian Rules, she jumped at the opportunity. She has not stopped jumping since, playing a vital role in the ruck for the Cannons in the TAC Cup Girls and Vic Metro in […]
