NSW/ACT women take centre stage

NSW/ACT will have two representatives in this weekend’s Women’s Exhibition match being played on Saturday night at Whitten Oval.

Maddy Collier and Nicola Barr have been named in the Western Bulldogs final-22 to take on rivals Melbourne for the Hamden-Hardiman Shield.

This is the second call up to the Bulldogs for Collier who was named to play in the last Women’s Exhibition match in 2015, before breaking her ankle in training a day before the match.

The Sydney Swans Academy Captain and half-back for the UNSW/Eastern Suburbs Stingrays says she is thankful for another opportunity to play in front of the country.

“I am thrilled to be playing in Melbourne this weekend,” said Collier.

“[Breaking my ankle] Made me very keen to get back out there again. I can’t wait to experience how the best footy in the country is played and delivered.”

Barr – another Sydney Swans Academy member and midfielder for the Sydney University Bombers – says she is extremely excited to come up against the best female footballers in the country.

“It will be the highest level I have had the opportunity to play at, and I’m interested to see where I stand amongst the best players,” said Barr.

Macquarie University’s Amanda Farrugia was also named in the initial 37-woman Western Bulldogs squad, however missed out on the final-23.

GWS GIANTS Women’s and NSW/ACT Women’s Academies Head Coach, Tim Schmidt says this is an exciting time for women’s football.

“It will be great for Australia to be able to see the female talent across the country leading into the inaugural 2017 National Women’s competition,” said Schmidt.

Also taking place on Saturday will be the Youth Girls All Stars Game, which will precede the Women’s Exhibition match.

NSW/ACT will have five representatives in this match including Kate Stanton (Wollongong Saints), Erin McKinnon (Mosman Swans), Alyce Parker (Wagga), Angela Priftis (Auburn GIANTS), and Haneen Zrieka (Auburn GIANTS).

Selected following NSW/ACT’s Division Two triumph at the National Youth Girls Championships in March, those chosen will come up against the best Youth Girls in the country.

“It is also an exciting time for AFL NSW/ACT having 7 girls featured during these two matches. It proves that female football across the state and territory is getting bigger and better each year.”

You can watch the Women’s Exhibition match LIVE on 7Mate (Channel 73) from 7pm on Saturday with the Youth Girls All Stars match being live streamed here from 4.30pm.