Chances are you’re familiar with the names Patrick Dangerfield, Lance “Buddy” Franklin and Jimmy Bartel. Or could at least identify them as sportsmen.
But what about Daisy Pearce, Katie Brennan and Tayla Harris? They’re three of the most interesting players in women’s football right now.
It’s worth knowing their names – and more – because last month eight teams were granted ground-breaking licenses to compete in the inaugural AFL national women’s league next year.
Meet the women already living and breathing footy life.
Daisy Pearce
Daisy is the captain of Melbourne Football Club’s women’s side and the Darebin Falcons, in the Victorian Women’s Football League. Widely-recognised as one of the superstars of female footy, her country Victoria upbringing instilled a love of the game from a young age. Daisy has spoken publicly about the “constant” reminder that the game wasn’t for her (read: girls) when she was a young player – something she’s committed to changing by speaking proudly about her career now.
Katie Brennan
Forward Katie looks set to be one of the Western Bulldogs’ marquee players – a position granted to those who show impressive activity both on and off the field. The elite player has been likened to Gary Ablett – high praise – due to her long list of achievements and a maturity that belies her 23 years. Like Daisy, she’s keen to show the world what women can do. And what better forum than a televised exhibition series match in September: “[It] will allow the wider public to see that we can really play the game. It will also be great for young girls to see what’s possible.”
Eleni Glouftsis
Earlier this year, Eleni made history when she became the AFL’s first female field umpire – the AFL has previously only had female goal umpires, not field. Eleni made her debut in February when Essendon took on Carlton and the trailblazing official made it a success from the first bounce, not that she’d say that of course. Scoring her performance a six out of ten, Eleni said that she “tried to treat it the same as any other game [she’s adjudicated].” In a bid to achieve her dream, Adelaide-born Eleni moved to Melbourne and earned a three-year scholarship to train with the VFL and AFL.
Susan Alberti AC and Debbie Lee
As well as serving as Vice President of the Western Bulldogs, philanthropist and businesswoman Sue was one of the founding directors of the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation (WBFF). Established in part to support the club, the WBFF also helps service the surrounding community, firmly establishing the Bulldogs as a community-led club.
A legend of Victorian women’s footy herself, Debbie clocked up 304 games in her playing career, winning the Helen Lambert Medal – aka the women’s Brownlow – five times. Not content to hang up her footy boots completely, Deb became the Community Manager at Western Bulldogs and later at Melbourne FC. Now, as Women’s Football Operations Manager at Melbourne, she continues to pave the way for progress for women in AFL.
Maree Selwood
As a mother of four players, Maree has a stronger relationship with the game than most. Her four boys – Troy, Adam, Joel and Scott – are all involved with AFL in some capacity, be it as a coach or a Geelong captain. While being a footy mum has meant some sacrifices – watching AFL on Mother’s Day, for instance – Maree is immensely proud of her sons, both on and off the field. For no one knows the sheer determination and hard work that it’s taken to get there more than a mum.
Brought to you by Mission Foods, proud major partner of the Western Bulldogs Women’s Team
