South’s Czenya Cavouras is the SANFLW Player of the Week after claiming a game-high 29 possessions in round three

Three years after first picking up a footy and two seasons after winning the SFL women’s best and fairest, South Adelaide’s Czenya Cavouras is the SANFLW Player of the Week.

South's Czenya Cavouras’ performance against West Adelaide in round three earned her the SANFLW Player of the Week. Picture: Nick Hook

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A little nudge from a few players’ partners, her brothers and her now-husband was all Czenya Cavouras needed to begin her football career with Flagstaff Hill three years ago.

The talented middle-distance runner and wife of Flaggies’ three-time premiership captain Michael Shearer required less motivation to shine on the field, winning the Southern Football League women’s best and fairest in her inaugural year.

Now Cavouras has reached even bigger heights, becoming an integral cog in South Adelaide’s SANFLW team.

South’s Czenya Cavouras breaks away during the Panthers’ round two SANFLW match against Norwood. Picture: Nick Hook

The 26-year-old midfielder tops the SANFLW’s disposal count after three rounds with 63.

She gathered 29 touches in South’s 16-point win over West Adelaide at Richmond on Friday night, leading to her being named the league’s player of the week.

“Both my brothers, Zak and Kobe, and my husband, who was my fiance at the time, all played at Flaggies,” Cavouras says.

“I didn’t really consider playing footy until the option arose.

“There was a lot of pressure from the club to join.

“It was a case of everyone elbowing each other and saying to me ‘you should be involved’.

“All the wives and girlfriends got on board very quickly.

“My mum (Catherine) played as well and my two sister-in-laws.

“My dad was the team manger and Michael (Shearer) did the goal umpiring, so it was a real family affair.”

Czenya Cavouras with her husband, Flagstaff Hill three-time premiership player and two-time Mail Medallist Michael Shearer. Picture: AAP /Dean Martin

Cavouras, who won the 2017 and 2018 Camden Classic 400m women’s race, joined the Panthers halfway through last season after the summer athletics season ended.

She went on to feature in four minor rounds and the grand final win against Norwood.

Cavouras did not compete in athletics this summer but kept herself fit and believed that contributed to her strong form with South Adelaide.

“The running and sprinting components of the game is my strength,” she says.

“My kicking team didn’t come along as quickly as I wanted it to but I think it’s improving.

“I know Michael is really excited about me playing footy and I try to play a similar role to him.

Czenya Cavouras with her mother Catherine after she won the SFL women’s best and fairest and her mother, who was 45 at the time, claimed second place. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

“I obviously don’t have the command of the game all the time nor the skills he has but I do try to use his approach to the game to help me with my own.”

Cavouras has switched from Flagstaff to Adelaide Footy League women’s division one team Christies Beach and will line up with the Saints once the SANFLW season finishes in mid-May.

South Adelaide hosts North Adelaide on March 15, after league-wide bye due to the Adelaide Cup long weekend.