Georgia Patrikios isn’t paying any attention to No.1 draft pick talk but has made a remarkable case
Calder Cannons young gun and Under-18 National Championships MVP Georgia Patrikios isn’t paying attention to No.1 draft pick talk but has put together a remarkable resume.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Calder Cannons rising star Georgia Patrikios brushes off talk of becoming the No.1 AFLW Draft pick later this year.
The star midfielder has been touted as the top selection in October after a stellar NAB League career and Vic Metro and Under-18 National Championships MVP honours.
Patrikios averaged 23 disposals, 4.5 tackles and three clearances as Vic Metro claimed the championships title undefeated.
METRO: MORRIS-DALTON MAKES POWERFUL AUDITION
LEADER: GET YOUR NAB LEAGUE FOOTY NEWS HERE
CANNONS: RAMSAY USING METRO MISS AS DRAFT FUEL
The 18-year-old captained Calder to the NAB League Girls grand final, averaging 23 touches and five tackles, and would be one of the favourites for the competition best-and-fairest.
However, the Pascoe Vale junior remains unfazed, instead focusing on her VFLW return for Essendon.
“I’m not worrying about it too much, just enjoying my playing football,” he said.
“I’m trying to enjoy what time I have left playing this year and focus on playing well at VFL level.”
Rule changes mean Patrikios’ record of representing Vic Metro as a 16, 17 and 18-year-old will likely never be matched.
The Carlton fan hopes to follow former teammate and close friend Maddy Prespakis to the Blues but will be rapt just to hear her name called out.
Patrikios was stunned to be named national championships MVP and credited a close team bond for the successful campaign on the Gold Coast.
“I was actually surprised. I didn’t expect to hear my name called out.
“My first game against Country I played really well and put my best foot forward.
“When we went up to the Gold Coast, everything fell into place and I worked my hardest to play my role.
“The team bonded really closely, a tight-knit group, and I think that showed when we played together.”
Patrikios wasn’t the only Cannon to feature for Vic Metro, with teammates Alana Barba and Felicity Theodore also impressing.
“They both did amazing on the Gold Coast, played their roles well, and they should be proud of themselves,” Patrikios said.
“They’ve both had a really strong campaign and put their names up as top prospects.
“I think they’ve got both got really strong chances of hearing their names called out.”
The rising talent believes she’s got plenty of improvement, pointing to her endurance.
“I’ve probably struggled with my 2km time trial and it’s something I want to knuckle down on and beat my previous time,” Patrikios said.
“My endurance is what might limit me from going to the next level.”
WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO
— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.
— Unprecedented AFL coverage.
— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.
— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.
— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.
Son of a footy gun joins Sea Lake-Nandaly
The North Central premiers of the past two seasons could be even stronger as they eye a third successive flag.
Ex-WAFL players sign at country club
A country club determined to make amends after missing finals for the first time in more than 20 years has gone on a recruiting spree landing a quartet of ex-WAFL players.