Ryan relishes “awesome” representative experience
DANDENONG midfielder Charley Ryan is one of six Stingrays included in this year’s Vic Country talent hub, and a taste of representative action in 2021 has proven to be a terrific learning tool. The 17-year-old impressed across her eight NAB League Girls outings as a bottom-ager last year, averaging 11.3 disposals and 3.8 tackles after […]
Having fun the priority for van der Vlies
FLYING wingers of European origin are often reserved for a different brand of football, but Charlotte van der Vlies is staking her claim in the Aussie code. The 18-year-old was a consistent cog in Oakleigh’s 2021 NAB League Girls premiership, finding a home on the wing and earning Under 17 Vic Metro selection. In 2022, […]
Van Loon loves “team aspect” of footy
THE female footballing pathway has come a long way since Ashleigh Van Loon started Auskick as a kid. Now, the Geelong Falcons midfielder is right in the thick of it and thriving among some of the top talent Vic Country regions have to offer. Having cut her teeth in the Falcons’ grand final making side […]
Williams leans on resources to better her footy
IRON sharpens iron, and training with the best is what has Tegan Williams upping her game heading into season 2022. The Bendigo Pioneers tall enjoyed a promising bottom-age campaign last year, making seven NAB League Girls outings and earning selection in the Vic Country Under 17 side. Her performances at both levels lead to more […]
Calder’s Santoro stands tall
SECOND efforts are the type of one-percent plays often left to the all-action small players who buzz at the feet of talls and make a menace of themselves. In that aspect, Calder Cannons‘ Claudia Santoro defies her size. While she defines her ability to never give up on the play as “standing tall”, the top-age […]
2022 SANFL Women’s feature series list
OVER the past month, Rookie Me Central has provided an insight into some of the most talented players across South Australia. Speaking to a host of players from the South Australian State Academy and some mature-age draft hopefuls, the full list of features is now complete. Below is a club-by-club list of all the features, […]
Cool customer Kustermann learning on the job
SHE may have been one of only two bottom-agers fielded in South Australia’s Under 19 side last year, but West Adelaide’s Keeley Kustermann continues to learn on the job. The promising defender has gotten comfortable being the younger one among each squad, taking the opportunity to feed off more experienced teammates along the way. “I […]
Busch looks to push past comfort zone
WINNING a club best and fairest ahead of eventual AFLW draftees and the competition leading goalkicker, as a bottom-ager, is no mean feat. That is exactly what Mia Busch did for the Eastern Ranges in 2021, but the hard-running defender is used to punching above her weight. Starting out her footballing journey in an Under […]
AFLW Pride Round means the world to queer footy fans
THIS weekend is the AFLW’s Pride Round, which sees a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community in the AFLW. Many of the AFLW players have come out this week and spoke of the significance of the round to them, but one group seemingly forgotten about is the fans themselves. The AFLW’s Pride Round is a very […]
“White line fever” guides Shepherd towards footy
INTANGIBLES are often the missing piece for budding AFLW stars, and while Dandenong Stingrays prospect Emily Shepherd has some in her locker, she’s working on others. Her reading of the play, athleticism, and ability to manufacture time on the ball are all pillars of a promising game, and aggression is another which ensured Shepherd was […]
