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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Unsatisfied Brown determined to improve
MAKING Vic Metro for the second consecutive year, named among Sandringham Dragons’ bests on multiple occasions and called up to play for Southern Saints in the VFL Women’s, the talented Eleanor Brown was not satisfied with her TAC Cup season. She described her individual TAC Cup Girls season as “disappointing”, clearly showing that the onus […]
Love of the game inspires De Angelis to chase AFLW dream
LAST year, Eastern Ranges midfielder, Gabriella De Angelis used football as a method of stress relief to calm her nerves. Now, the 17 year-old has instilled the belief in herself to try and achieve her ultimate goal, thanks to her love of the sport. “I do (have my sights set on AFLW),” she said. “Since about […]
Lynch overcomes it all to achieve her Nationals goal
OAKLEIGH Chargers midfielder, Katie Lynch has been riddled with injuries since 2015, but has battled through to take her place in Vic Metro’s Under 18 Championships side. She only managed four games during the TAC Cup Girls season, but still earned a plane ticket to the Gold Coast for the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. Lynch says […]
