Tiny AFL ace Sienna Reiners proves a force to be reckoned with both in mixed and older age teams

AT FOUR years old, Sienna Reiners wanted to be like her brothers playing AFL – and now she is making her own way in the sport she loves.

Sienna Reiners -12 , with some of her teams mates from the Mixed team. Sienna plays with both the boys and girls at Maroubra Saints Australian Rules Football club, playing in both the mixed team and above her age in the U15's. Local Sports Star. Picture: John Appleyard

• 'I think it's nice to help people'
• 'I just do what needs to be done'
• Big cats back into top golf comp

AT FOUR years old, Sienna Reiners wanted to be like her brothers playing AFL – and now she is making her own way in the sport she loves

Sienna, now 12, is the only girl in the division one under 13s mixed team at Maroubra Saints AFLC, and is playing above her age with the Youth Girls under 14s team.

“I stand out a bit — when they look at me and I’m smaller than them they probably think ‘oh she’s tiny and going to be bad,’” Sienna said.

Sienna Reiners -12 plays with both the boys and girls at Maroubra Saints Australian Rules Football club, playing in both the mixed teams and above her age in the U14's. Picture: John Appleyard

“But to prove to yourself that you’re good pushes you further to play even better.

“Anybody can play any sport — everybody has that right, and not only boys can play AFL.”

That same tough attitude is evident in the way Sienna plays the game, and has earned her the reputation as one of the most formidable tacklers in the competition.

The Kingsford sports-lover was voted by the Sydney competition’s umpires as the third most valuable player last year, and has played at representative level.

“Sienna has a lot of experience and she holds her own, she’s exciting to watch and (her team mates) respect her,” dad Michael Reiners said.

Sienna dreams of a future playing in the AFLW. Picture: John Appleyard

“Most of the boys have learned to stay away from her when she’s tackling, she’ll get the ball out then they run with it.

“It has been difficult for her at times playing in a team with the boys ... they get a bit shy and don’t talk to each other but once the game starts they play well together, they wouldn’t be without her.”

A huge Sydney Swans fan, Sienna hopes the red and white will be the next to field a women’s team in the AFLW, so that she can join the club one day.

“I have started playing netball, as well as tennis, OzTag and touch footy, but I want to focus on AFL, it’s so much fun,” she said.

“I’ve always had a dream since they announced the women’s competition and I want to push further to know that I have a chance to play in one of those teams.”