After last week’s AFL curtain raiser game at the Eagles vs Essendon game, we asked some of the girls about their experience.

ELLIE LEE, Year 12

What is your favourite thing about playing AFL?
I love getting a little bit rough with my opponent, winning contests, kicking goals and working as a team to win a game. Above everything, I love the adrenaline and the power I feel with the ball. For me, football is my passion, and one I intend to explore as much as I can, and the ultimate goal is AFL Women’s.

What was one thing you took away from your training session with Drew Petrie last week?
Drew Petrie gave us lots of really important tips about handballing and kicking, but the most important thing I took away from my session was to be confident during the game at the stadium and not let the nerves get to you. I normally get stressed before a game, however, I felt excited and ready to go on Thursday, even with around 15-20,000 people watching.

How did you feel about the opportunity to play at Optus Stadium?
I was so excited. The whole experience was incredible; the ground, being around AFL players that you watch on TV, especially in the new Optus Stadium. I felt proud to wear an Eagles jersey and ready to take on the Perth College girls.

What was the best thing about the experience?
The best part of the experience for me was playing the game. I remember at halftime looking around the stadium at the number of people there. It felt like a dream. This game was a huge opportunity for me and it meant a lot to the whole team.

 

ROISIN WALSH, Year 12

What is your favourite thing about playing AFL?
My favourite thing about playing AFL is playing as a team, you can’t win a game unless you all work together. Every member is essential to winning a game and I loved working as a team to come away with a win. The best thing about AFL is being able to go out onto the field and be proud to be a female who plays AFL. Female footballers aren’t as recognised as men so it is amazing to support females and to support the game I love. I hope that one day I can help promote AFLW and we can all play as an equal.

What was one thing you took away from your training session with Drew Petrie last week?
You always have to depend on each other, you can’t play AFL if you don’t work together. At the training session I learnt how to work with my team. I had never played with those girls before so it was great to get out there and learn how to work as a team and get to know each other’s strengths. Drew Petrie taught me that there is a reason there are 18 of us on the field, he said that they are always there to support and all win together, it’s not an individual sport and you all win and lose together.

How did you feel about the opportunity to play at Optus Stadium?
This was the best experience of my life, I loved every part of it. I had such a big build up of adrenaline. It would have to be one of the best experiences of my life. Getting to experience the new stadium and its facilities, being able to play on the same stage where the top AFL players have played was unreal.

What was the best thing about the experience?
I loved the atmosphere that the stadium had, I knew that around 20,000 people were watching our game. I loved the experience of having a training session with a former AFL player and having my family and friends there to support me was one of the best things.

 

GIORGIA PALTRIDGE, Year 10

What is your favourite thing about playing AFL?
Having grown up with AFL I’ve always loved the game, and I love being a part of a team of girls where we all just have a blast and enjoy the game! It makes training and the actual games heaps of fun.

What was one thing you took away from your training session with Drew Petrie last week?
I learnt so much from Drew but one of the best things was how important it is to always pay close attention to your coach, and listen to everything he says.

How did you feel about the opportunity to play at Optus Stadium?
Being just the water girl and not playing, I was more excited than anything else to have a chance to participate in this amazing experience. I was so grateful for the opportunity even if I wasn’t playing and I was eager to have fun and represent Santa Maria.

What was the best thing about the experience?
The best thing about being at Optus with the boarders’ team was definitely being on the big screen and watching as people starting to come into the stadium. It was a surreal experience to be on a pitch where members of all AFL teams had played and to be watched by hundreds of people.

 

EMILY CLEAVER, Year 10

What is your favourite thing about playing AFL?
My favourite thing about playing footy is definitely how exciting the game is and how team orientated it is.

What was one thing you took away from your training session with Drew Petrie last week?
Last week, Drew Petrie taught me small aspects of my kicking that could be modified to improve that aspect of my game. He also taught us all how valuable teamwork is.

How did you feel about the opportunity to play at Optus Stadium?
Unfortunately, I did not get to play as I am a day girl, but I was offered the amazing opportunity to be the team’s runner and help our coach and Drew out on the day.

What was the best thing about the experience?
Being on the Optus field, and of course, watching the Eagles game after ours!

Click here to view all the photos from the game.