NSW/ACT duo set for AFL Women’s Match

By Tom Naghten

The Western Bulldogs will host the Melbourne Demons in this season’s second and final Women’s Exhibition Game before the AFL match between the same clubs.

Sunday’s match will be the first time the Women’s Exhibition Game has been broadcast on television, with 7mate streaming the match in New South Wales from 12:30pm.

UNSW/ES Stingray’s Madelane Collier said she has mixed emotions ahead of the match.

“At the moment I’m pretty nervous but also excited. I’m trying not to think about it really,” said Collier.

The first Women’s Exhibition Match this season was played at the MCG in May with Melbourne running out eight point winners.

Following Collier’s failure to gain selection in that game she was convinced the opportunity had been lost.

“After I missed out on the first game I thought I had no chance of getting drafted this season.”

However, two state games against a Victorian side and Queensland gave Collier the perfect platform to impress selectors ahead of game two.

“I played pretty well in the first state game but I didn’t do so well in the second one so I thought I’d lost my chance.”

Despite her reservations, Collier’s name was the second last called in the mini-draft, which allowed both teams to make changes to their squads.

“They announced the mini draft on a podcast which I wasn’t actually listening to. I walked into the office and people started congratulating me and I wasn’t sure why.

“When they told me I was obviously pretty stoked but I couldn’t really believe it, I honestly thought they made a mistake and had accidentally drafted me.”

Above: Madelane Collier in action for NSW/ACT earlier this year. Source: AFL Media

The match represents a significant achievement for the women’s game in NSW/ACT, Collier and Anderson played youth girls together at state level from 2011 to 2013, going on to be named All-Australian.

The route to the match was slightly more conventional for Belconnen Magpie Heather Anderson.

Originally drafted with pick 19, Anderson went on to be amongst the Bulldog’s best in a tight loss in game one.

AFL NSW/ACT Female Programs Manager Libby Sadler said the girls’ inclusion in the side was a testament to the benefits of talent pathways.

“They’ve both taken their opportunities and nailed them,” Sadler said.

“Their selection is not only recognition for their talent but also their dedication to training and willingness to work hard.”

Sadler said this was an exciting time for female football around the country.

“Women’s football is really growing at the moment and New South Wales and ACT will be hoping to have more females drafted in the future.”

Collier echoed Sadler’s sentiments.

“It’s good that we’ve got the opportunity to play in this game, it just shows that you don’t need to be from Victoria or WA to do well at this level,” said Collier.