Tigers Magarey Medallist Luke Partington inspires his sister Shae-Lea to give footy a go
“I lost my drive and passion for sport after dad passed away but he kept at it, worked hard”. The sister of Tigers star Luke Partington is making her mark on the game – spurred on by her brother.
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Shae-Lea Partington has idolised her older brother Luke since they were young.
She watched on with pride last year as the Glenelg midfielder claimed the SANFL Magarey Medal before helping the Tigers break a three-decade premiership drought.
Luke, 23, was her backbone when their father Brian died in a mining accident in Roxby Downs in 2015.
Now he is inspiring Shae-Lea to take up football again.
The 19-year-old is not only part of SMOSH West Lakes’ division one Adelaide Footy League women’s team, but she has a starring role.
“I lost my drive and passion for sport after dad passed away but he (Luke) kept at it, worked hard, never dropped his head,” Shae-Lea said.
“I think that’s what inspires me most about Luke.
“I am starting to get that drive and eagerness to improve and aim high.
“Also seeing the joy Luke had after the Tigers’ 33-year premiership drought.
“That’s the one thing I missed most about sport was making lifelong friendships and memories with teammates.”
The Glengowrie teenager, who owns her own personal training business, Partington Performance, remembers playing backyard footy with her dad, Luke and her other brother Mitchell in Roxby Downs.
Luke’s passion for Aussie rules ignited the same feelings within Shae-Lea.
She moved to Adelaide a year after her father died and featured with Immanuel College’s girls’ teams, as well as Glenelg’s under-18 side before hanging up the boots until this season.
The winger has another big name in her corner with two-times Adelaide Crows AFLW premiership player Erin Phillips encouraging her to join SMOSH.
Phillips’ dad Greg is coach of the Lions’ women’s team and the AFLW star convinced Shae-Lea to join the team.
SMOSH is undefeated after two matches this season but face a big challenge in what is being billed as the grand final preview when they play fellow undefeated team Payneham Norwood Union this Saturday night.
“I’ve known Erin since I was about 13,” She-Lea said.
“She’s been a really good mentor for me.
“Having Greg Phillips as coach is a big thing.
“I’m loving having Greg coach as that’s something I’ve missed in sport, having a coach that builds your confidence.
“I’m absolutely loving the vibe at SMOSH and hopefully Luke can watch me play in a grand final this year.”
Luke was drafted to West Coast from Norwood at the 2015 AFL national draft but only managed six games at the top level before being delisted at the end of 2018.
He opted to join the Tigers instead of returning to Norwood and enjoyed a stellar year in the SANFL in 2019, averaging almost 30 possessions to lead Glenelg to a premiership.
Luke was proud of Shae-Lea for having the courage to play football again.
“It’s great that I can try and motivate her to play footy,” Luke said.
“I think it’s a really important thing to be involved in a team sport.
“She’s an awesome support, she’s always there and keeps an eye on my games.
“Hopefully my work ethic towards footy and study can rub off on her.
“She just started her own business and she’s at uni so she’s doing really well.
“But I guess I just try to be a role model for her and tell her that hard work will pay off.
“Hopefully I can go watch her play this year.”