Amy Mill excited to be part of first edition of North Qld versus South Qld Aussie rules rep game

Five women and three men from the AFL Capricornia competition will represent North Queensland this weekend. Find out who they are here.

Amy Mill cannot wait to take the field in the first female edition of the North Queensland versus South Queensland Australian rules rep fixture this weekend.

The Rockhampton Panthers’ centre is one of five AFL Capricornia players in the North Queensland women’s team.

She is joined by Glenmore Bulls’ duo Jemma Abbott and Meagan Rickert, Yeppoon Swans’ Ella Calleja and Brothers Kangaroos’ Taivia Dunne.

Three of the Yeppoon Swans’ male stars - Christian Burgess, Jamie Garner and Matt Wallin - are in the North Queensland men’s team.

The games will be played at Southport’s Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday, with the women at 2pm and the men at 4pm.

This is the first time the women will suit up in the event’s nine-year history.

Mill said it was an exciting opportunity which would provide a wonderful showcase for the state’s leading female players.

“I think it’s a great thing. It’s a first for female footy so it’s pretty exciting,” she said.

“I’m not expecting it to be easy, that’s for sure. There are some really skilful girls down south.

“If we can click from the beginning, that will be good because we haven’t had the chance to come together as a group before the game.”

The players, who come from as far afield as Cairns, will have a virtual teams meeting on Wednesday night, and will get together for the first time early on game day.

Yeppoon Swans young gun Ella Calleja is part of the North Queensland women’s team. Photo: George Vartabedian

Mill said it was nice to have four other locals in the line-up.

“It’ll be good to have some familiar faces there because you have an idea of how they play from playing against them,” she said.

Mill joined the Panthers in 2013 and is enjoying one of her best seasons in 2022.

A powerhouse in the middle, she boasts all the skills and an incredible work ethic.

She believes her kicking game continues to improve and she is getting “smarter” about how she plays the game.

Mill said the North Queensland selection was an honour and a great reward for each of the players.

“You don’t really think you can get as far as this until it happens,” she said.

“I guess this selection has opened my eyes in regards to my own ability.

“This game is going to be a good opportunity to showcase our skills and to see how we compare with players down south.

“I love the game and I feel really supported by my club.”