Our Alumni Community

Joanna Lin (Class of 2019) drafted in the AFLW 2020 National Draft

Earlier this month, Joanna Lin, who graduated from Doncaster Secondary College last year, was drafted in the  AFLW 2020 National Draft at Pick 26 to the Pies. After playing her first footy game at DSC in 2017 in Interschool Sports, she loved it so much she joined Bulleen Templestowe Junior FC. 

Playing with the Oakleigh Chargers, she polled the highest votes for the club in the league's best and fairest. She is a 162cm midfielder and is known for her endurance, reliability and exceptional coverage across the ground. 

I was fortunate enough to have a chat with Joanna this week and ask her some questions about her football journey so far.  I was blown away by her friendly demeanour, positivity about her experiences this year and her optimism for the year to come. 

Did you play football at school and were there any teachers that inspired or helped support you on this path? 

I played from 2017 and onwards for Interschool Sports and it was with Mr Price as the coach and Mr Strachan as the assistant coach.  They were awesome. That was my really first experience being part of a football team. I really liked the environment and how all the girls (even though we knew each other off the field) had each other’s backs - it was like being part of another family. So, then I joined the local club Bulleen Templestowe Junior FC.  And that’s really where my love for it all started. 

Did you play football while you were at Doncaster Secondary College? 

I played from 2017 and onwards for Interschool Sports and it was with Mr Price as the coach and Mr Strachan as the assistant coach. That was my first experience being part of a football team and I loved it. I really liked the environment and how the girls all even though we knew each other off the field, we all had each other’s backs and it was like another family. So, then I joined the local club Bulleen Templestowe Junior FC.  And that’s really where my love for it all started. 

What are some of the challenges you have faced this year? 

It was very difficult having all the seasons cancelled so early on, especially seeing as I've been drafted, this year will be my last year with my mates at my basketball and football club. It definitely didn’t feel the great knowing that I had to leave it all behind without saying goodbye properly. It’s been a bit bittersweet but I'm sure when things settle down, I'll pop in and say hello to everyone.

You must be pretty excited to start training. What will a week of training for you look like? 

Preseason starts early November, so not too far away, and more intense training will commence then. Training on the field will happen Monday, Wednesday, Friday nights. I'll have a gym session on Saturday mornings and a strength session on Tuesday. I was given the opportunity to train with the Collingwood AFLW squad at the start of the year and it was pretty intense so I’m super nervous but excited to use the facilities and just get into it. I’m also studying a dual Diploma in Sports Development, Business Leadership and Management so I'll have to manage my time and find a balance between my training and study. 

What are you looking forward to most next year? 

Hopefully playing my first game if all goes well preseason. And if not, I'm just looking forward to being in the environment at such a high level.

Do you have any advice you'd like to pass onto aspiring athletes at the College? 

Probably just to work hard and stay determined. It's okay to get distracted sometimes but don't let it take away from your focus. 

And finally, is there anything else you'd like to share with the College community? 

I'd just like to say hi to all my teachers. This year's been tough. I hope you’re all doing well. Stay smiling and stay happy!

Chelsea Rohrlach

Marketing and Communications Officer