Soccer convert “fell in love” with Aussie rules
DESPITE playing soccer most of her life, it was evident to Marianna Anthony that Australian rules football was where she needed to be, and specifically in the AFL Women’s. After speaking about her heartbreak of missing out on an initial list spot with Essendon, to her short trip to North Melbourne and now landing on […]
Hore and Hanks to take “opportunity” left by Daisy’s departure
IT is never easy to replace a club legend on or off the field, especially one universally respected as Daisy Pearce. However that is exactly what new Melbourne AFLW captain Kate Hore and vice-captain Tyla Hanks will look to do in Season 8 and beyond following the retirement of one of footy’s legends. When Melbourne […]
From “heartbroken” to “heartwarming”, Anthony’s rollercoaster ride to the top
HEARTBROKEN. It was the word then Essendon VFL Women’s talent Marianna Anthony used to describe the emotions when overlooked for an inaugural list spot at the Bombers. Having been at the club for a number of years and worked her way up from being a soccer convert to a key player in the ‘red sash’, […]
Power seeing benefits from extended off-season
LAST year’s quick turnaround between AFL Women’s seasons six and seven were tricky on all clubs, but for the four expansion sides in particular, getting a cohesive group together and formulating a gameplan with the full list was extremely difficult. For Port Adelaide, more than half of the inaugural list was yet to undergo an […]
Versatile Milne enjoying social side of footy
HAVING ticked off all three areas of the football field in terms of playing positions, Queensland utility Ebony Milne “knows what’s going on” wherever she plays. Having come through a more traditional pathway after not initially falling in love with the game, the Brisbane Lions Academy member said she has loved making new friends and […]
Magpies “thrilled” for grand final opportunity
IT might seem like a lifetime ago, but the 2019 VFL Women’s premiership is only two seasons back from a trophy perspective. While Essendon won the flag in 2022, the Magpies reached the decider in 2021 to face Geelong, before it was called off due to a Victorian lockdown. A year earlier, the season was […]
“No failure” for Borough as they prepare for maiden grand final
PORT Melbourne VFL Women’s coach Sean Buncle has made it clear has team is in it to win it when it comes to Sunday’s grand final, but maintains the premiership decider against Collingwood is a “great opportunity” that his playing group will enjoy. The Borough went down to the Magpies three weeks ago by grand […]
Smith “itching” to return after “hard days”
ST KILDA young gun Tyanna Smith admits the last 18 months have been “pretty tough”. After a breakout debut season in 2021, the teenager’s football world came crashing down when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury at training. “It’s pretty prominent in my brain to be honest, I remember everything about it,” Smith […]
Pisano wastes little time in return season
TALENTED small forward Alyssia Pisano has no trouble finding the big sticks, and given her form this year, one might forget that most of her bottom-age season was wiped out with injury. A frustrating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last March put the AFLW Academy’s year on ice after 10 goals in five games, but […]
Grassenis sets sights on carnival impact
AFTER missing her first 2023 AFLW Under 18 Championships match due to an ankle injury, West Perth utility Liliana Grassenis is hoping for a bit more luck when the Sandgropers conclude their national carnival next month. Unfortunately for the top-ager, an ankle ligament sprain – something that has become commonplace but not serious for her […]
