Year 7 and 8 Girls AFL Footy

18 of our Junior Girls braved the cold on Tuesday 20th June, playing in the Upper Hume Year 7/8 Girls Australian Rules Football carnival at the Barr Reserve.

After a great training session days prior inside the Sport Stadium, the weather forecast turned ominous, an urgent early morning Compass alert went out to all players suggesting they bring snow jackets, blankets and beanies, plus jumpers and even leggings to wear under their footy gear, and sure enough by the time the ball was thrown up to start their first match at 10:00am, it was officially freezing at Zero degrees.

The girls battled hard across their 4 matches, with the highlight of their campaign a dominant 3 goal victory against Wodonga Middle Years College (3.1.19 def 0.1.1). Despite bowing down in their other 3 matches against Cathedral College, Galen College & Catholic College Wodonga, all of whom appeared to have more girls that play footy in competition, and finishing with a 1-3 record to take out 4th place, it was a terrific display of school sport by a wonderful bunch of girls.

Standout individual performers included:

Milly O’Kane was our most dominant. Our co-captain and one of the most naturally talented athletes and sportsgirls we have seen come through the school in a long time, she lined up in the Ruck with the license to follow the ball everywhere, and it was no surprise she took to the sport with ease. Tall, fit, strong, skilful and competitive, she won the ball whenever it was in her area, both initiating forward forays and getting forward to finish them off, kicking 4 goals, 3 of which were while on the run and from distance. Incredibly, she kicked all 4 of the team’s goals across the day from the ruck..an extraordinary feat so unheard of it may have never ever happened before.

Jedda Driscoll was an Absolute Gun as well. Another super fit competitor, she won the ball all day and consistently, displaying pace to burn off opponents often taking running bounces, bravery in getting in and under, and tenacity in going at the ball harder than anyone else. What stood out above all others though, was her skill. Her ability to handle the ball cleanly with sticky fingers, never fumbling, was a real highlight, as was her kicking skills. Our Rolls Royce, the smooth mover is one of the silkiest female footballers I’ve seen.

Kaity Ford was phenomenal in defence. In that first game in freezing conditions, it was Kaity, despite being just a Year 7, who was clearly our best player, repeatedly chopping off the ball and repelling Cathedral’s attacks. Her courage was unbelievable, putting her body on the line, crashing into opponents at speed, and seeming to relish the physical contact more than others. Her knack of reading the play and knowing when to come off her line and attack the ball was remarkable. Another girl (along with Milly & Jedda) with great football genetics like her older brothers.

Issy Christison was another standout. Another of our many extremely athletic, skilful and all-round sporting talents in Year 8, and an automatic selection as Co-Captain for her leadership and outstanding character, she played in the role of “tall midfielder” with license to roam. She won the ball at will and you knew if it went near her, we would end up with the ball.

Ruby O’Kane, Year 7 and younger sister of Milly, also impressed. Lining up on a Wing where she could use her speed and endurance, she got better with each game as her confidence grew, and ended up a prime mover. Her ability to gather the ball while moving at pace, and then deliver smoothly, was brilliant.

Thank you to all girls for playing and representing the school in a flawless manner. Not only did they show up on a day where some others may have pulled out due to the cold, but they went over and above with their commitment to their team, and even pestered their coach to let them dive in the mud at the end of the day.

Thanks also to the 6 helpers, and especially to Year 7 boys Clarence Lampa and Will Sayers, who volunteered to run the boundary all day. Great stuff.

BEST PLAYERS:

Milly O’Kane, Jedda Driscoll, Kaity Ford, Isabelle Christison, Ruby O’Kane.

GOAL KICKERS:

Milly O’Kane 4.

THE TEAM:

- Jud Mullins