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 […]
Passionate Hamilton keeps up with “crazy” fast pathway to the top
FROM the freezing mornings out on icy grounds in Canberra, Alexia Hamilton has always had a passion for Australian Rules football. The pathway was not there at first, but when it came about, she grabbed it with both hands and has not let go. “As a young girl I always admired playing AFL, but there was never […]
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 […]
Keeping Tabs: Standout players from Round 20
A NUMBER of new faces were among the first-year players who impressed in their games on the weekend, continuing the season trend of readymade draftees from last year’s AFL National Draft. Hunter Clark Hunter Clark was typically calm and composed across the St.Kilda half-back line in their defeat to the Western Bulldogs. The 19 year-old […]
Fantastic Five: Memorable moments from the weekend
THRILLERS, young stars taking clutch moments, and firing up the second chance saloon, there was plenty to like about the weekend of football. Greatest AFL round of all time? That was the question being posed by the end of Saturday night, with an unprecedented round of thrillers. Five of the six games to date had […]
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 […]
Keeping Tabs: Standout performances from Round 19
AS the end of the season draws near and the Rising Star conversation heats up, some familiar races return to the Keeping Tabs list after standout performances. Jack Higgins It’s not often a first-year player that kicks arguably the greatest goal ever, but Higgins may have done just that. How a first-year player can earn […]
