Reynella's Brianna Walling becomes first girl to play in SFL grand final
REYNELLA footballer Brianna Walling loves nothing more than surprising her male teammates - and spectators - on the field.
REYNELLA footballer Brianna Walling loves nothing more than surprising her male teammates - and spectators - on the field.
So becoming the first girl to play for a boys' team in a Southern Football League grand final and kicking one of her team's two goals ranks among the highlights of her burgeoning career.
Brianna, 14, played in the Wineflies' loss to Happy Valley in the under-14 grand final at Hickinbotham Oval on Saturday, September 21, and booted a goal.
"I like it, personally," she says of playing with boys.
"Most people expect a female to not be very good.
"Sometimes people look at me with a shocked look on their faces.
"Not being big-headed, but I have a bit of skill, so I'm kind of showing them up.
"To play in a grand final was amazing.
"I was very nervous ... and to lose was heartbreaking."
Brianna, of O'Halloran Hill, followed her brother Josh, 16, into footy five years ago and has not looked back since.
After starting with Braeview Primary, Brianna joined Reynella last year.
She was teammates with another girl for the first and only time in her school team last year, and rarely plays against other females.
Not that it bothers her.
"I've loved footy all my life," Brianna said.
"I saw my brother playing it and just wanted to be like him,"
Brianna, Reynella's deputy vice-captain, finished with 20 goals from 22 matches this season.
She considers herself "one of the boys" in the Wineflies' squad, but enjoys keeping her teammates on their toes.
"I'm like their mother - I keep all the boys in line," she said.
Under rules in SA, Brianna will have to join a girls' team next year because 14-year-olds can no longer play in mixed squads.
She hopes to one day play state women's football.