Get to know your AFLW stars as the 2019 seasons kicks off
Who secretly likes to wear Birkenstocks and socks? Is there anyone NOT binge-watching You on Netflix? Here’s a few things you may not know about AFLW’s top players.
As the 2019 AFLW season kicks off with new clubs North Melbourne and Geelong added to the fixture, it’s time to get to know the stars of the game.
Six Victorian players talk about their hopes for the competition, fan-dom and the show most of them have been binge-watching in the off-season.
INJURED PIE TURNS TO COACHING … FOR NOW
AFLW SPURS BOOM IN GIRLS’ WOMEN’S TEAMS
Kirby Bentley, Carlton backline
Job when not playing AFLW?
Working at the AFL, implementing the Reconciliation Action Plan.
Best part of AFLW?
We get to play against the best of the best in Australia and everything we do from this point onwards helps pave the way for generations of women to come.
What would you change about AFLW?
I’d love to play 20-minute quarters because it allows more of an opportunity for teams to come back and change the result.
Five-year plan?
As I look to exit the game, I’d love to set up a pathway that helps engage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls playing the game.
Best advice you’ve received?
Keep grounded and control the controllables.
Memorable fan moment?
Walking through a shopping centre and having a group of girls follow me for an hour before stopping me to talk footy.
Any tattoos?
I have seven. My favourite and most recent is on my forearm. It’s my nan’s
star sign (Pisces) of two fish around a clock, which shows the time she passed away.
Binge-watching?
You on Netflix.
First place you take visitors to show off Victoria?
Crown.
Brooke Lochland, Western bulldogs forward
Job when not playing AFLW?
Gym manager.
Best part of AFLW?
The relationships and connections you make with everyone involved, and being on the big stage.
What would you change about AFLW?
Make the season longer.
Five-year plan?
Hopefully my body is holding up and I’m still playing footy.
Best advice you’ve received?
Whatever we go through in life, there’s always a silver lining.
What inspires you?
Any challenge.
Memorable fan moment?
We have an impact on these young women and men wanting to play the game.
Binge-watching?
Empire.
Apart from loved ones, what would you save in a fire?
My bed.
Melbourne is …
Coffee.
Lochland is expected to return in round 6 after fracturing her right fibula last month .
Renee Garing, Geelong midfielder
Job when not playing AFLW?
Year 7 co-ordinator and PE teacher at Christian College Geelong.
Best part of AFLW?
The opportunity to play at the highest level of a sport and be part of an elite program. It’s also very special to be part of the inaugural team at Geelong Cats.
What would you change about AFLW?
It’d be great to play more games in a season.
Best advice you’ve received?
To be the best version of myself, not a second-rate version of someone else.
Memorable fan moment?
During a clinic as part of VFLW, when I asked a young girl what boots she wanted to get for footy and she said, “Whatever you have.”
Favourite cafe?
My local, Pane di Matteo, in Geelong.
Binge-watching?
You on Netflix.
First place you take visitors to show off Victoria?
Great Ocean Road.
Melbourne is …
Great coffee, amazing food, concerts, world-class sport, MCG, shopping … and only an hour down the road is Geelong with stunning beaches, GMHBA Stadium, the floating Christmas tree and cafes on Pako (Pakington St).
Emma Grant, Collingwood midfielder/defender
Job when not playing AFLW?
PE specialist teacher at Moonee Ponds Primary School.
Best part of AFLW?
Showing all the young girls out there that they can be anything they want to be.
What would you change about AFLW?
That we play each team once.
Five-year plan?
Continue to play AFLW for as long as possible, start a family with my wife, Leah, and continue to take new opportunities as they arise.
Best advice you’ve received?
It’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it.
Memorable fan moment?
The first time I met a fan with the No. 5 and Grant on the back. Her name is Ash and she is a big fan.
It’s not fashionable but I love …
Strawberry Kisses, by Nikki Webster.
Favourite cafe?
South of Johnston. It has the best fresh OJ and the granola muesli is to die for.
Who should play you in a movie?
Ruby Rose because of the hair, but minus the tatts.
Coffee order?
Does a chai latte or vanilla milkshake count?
Binge-watching?
I don’t watch much TV. I’m more a podcast and book type of gal.
Worst job?
I worked as a barista in the Canadian Rocky Mountains when I was 18. The job wasn’t too bad but working an eight-hour shift on Christmas Day for $7.25 (an hour) sucked.
First place you take visitors to show off Victoria?
Great Ocean Road.
Melbourne is …
Easily the best city in the world.
Kaitlyn Ashmore, North Melbourne midfielder
Job when not playing AFLW?
I do relief teaching at a primary school and I’ve also just started doing some game development officer work with AFL Victoria.
Best part of AFLW?
Having young girls look up to you and aspire to play AFLW.
Best advice you’ve received?
Go in hard or not at all.
Five-year plan?
Hopefully still running around, and with a couple more pets.
Memorable fan moment?
There’s a young girl named Keisha who’s followed my career and has the jersey with
my number on the back.
It’s not fashionable but I love …
Birkenstocks and socks.
Fave restaurant?
Anywhere with good dumplings.
Who should play you in a movie?
Jennifer Lawrence — she has a witty sense of humour and would make me seem bad ass.
Binge-watching?
Just finished You on Netflix.
Fave holiday destination?
Warrnambool because of memories growing up.
Kate Hore, Melbourne forward
Job when not playing AFLW?
Marketing and administration at the Australian Fitness Academy.
Best part of AFLW?
Playing football at the highest level and giving young girls growing up female football role models to look up to.
What would you change about AFLW?
To live as a full-time athlete would be a dream come true.
Best advice you’ve received?
Success is no accident.
Memorable fan moment?
A lady at one of our kids’ clinics told me that after meeting me and a few of my teammates she had lost 15kg and that we had inspired her to get active with her kids and change her lifestyle. That was pretty cool.
Binge-watching?
Nothing at the moment, but nothing beats a good Suits session.
Worst job?
Waitressing at a cafe when I was 17. The boss definitely hated me.
First place you take visitors to show off Victoria?
In the summer, St Kilda for the beach, good bars, nice restaurants and just a fun atmosphere.
Apart from loved ones, what would you save in a fire?
I do love my shoes, so I’d probably try to grab as many of them as I could.
Fave holiday destination?
Noosa.
Melbourne is …
Home, and the best city in the world to live in.
Players dressed by Cotton On
Picture : Nicki Connolly
Originally published as Get to know your AFLW stars as the 2019 seasons kicks off
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.