For me, my main focus is to enjoy footy and bring others into the game and make sure my teammates are loving it just as much as me. She said shes learnt so much about her teammates lives, inside and outside footy - impressed with how they manage to balance both. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter. Sarah Burt: Yes.Unlike the men's game, in the Women's game there is more contested ball and stoppages which means . The case for and against AFLW doubleheaders with men's finals, The case for and against AFLW doubleheaders with men's finals (2:02), Round Table: Bombers nailed their offseason recruits, The enduring magnetism of Scott Pendlebury, AFL preseason: 2023 practice match results, Hawks confirm Lions flag pair as AFLW recruits, Fagan contract extension a show of faith from Lions, AFL goes from three to four field umpires in '23, Saints' Membrey no certainty for season opener, Cats dealt blow with Jack Henry to undergo foot surgery, Selwood to help Melbourne through stormy period, ESPN's 2023 crystal ball predictions for all major Australian codes, ESPN's biggest Australian headlines of 2022. Weve never done it before, so to live our dream playing AFLW and run out against her it was the best experience ever. Reels. They didn't treat me like a girl playing footy, they just treated me like a footballer," she says. MADDY Prespakis is a name that has become synonymous with the Game Changers. New fans are exposed to the women's game, the players are often in world-class facilities and playing on the biggest stages, and it makes a lot of sense from media and broadcasting perspectives as well. It may not be a win but a little bit of fight will go a long way. Blue Abroad's Paul Sebastiani and Swoop Luke get amongst the fans following Carlton's 2023 practice match against Collingwood. Carlton coach Michael Voss is confident a summer of high-intensity training will pay off in the long run. But the 21-year-old has swapped the navy blue for the red . Away from the heat of battle, Prespakis is effusive in her praise of the reigning best and fairest. At the moment Im enjoying it and loving every bit of it. The young woman is inspiring others in AFLW. The amount of blood she had coming out, I thought she broke it! MADDY Prespakis is a name that has become synonymous with the Game Changers. Boasting a Rising-Star award, an All-Australian selection, two Club Best and Fairest awards and a league Best and Fairest award all at the age of 21, its hard not to focus on Prespakis already illustrious career. Is it Carlton's year? Dylan Buckley is joined by Luke Ball to discuss being an early draft pick, moving from St Kilda to Collingwood, and much more. In that she season, she earned All Australian honours, Carltons Best and Fairest award, the AFLW Best First Year Player and the AFLW Rising Star award for a standout 20 disposal, seven clearance, one-goal performance. It is time for womens sport to be brave and stop thinking what if. Big thank you to Hari Menon, Jayden Koulizakis and Jessica Otter for presenting to the team! Prespakis earned All Australian honours, Carltons Best and Fairest award, the AFLW Best First Year Player and the AFLW Rising Star award capping off what is arguably the greatest debut season of all time. After a stellar performance against her old side over the weekend, the West Coast Eagles will need to find a way to stop her dominance on field. When I got told Maddy youre getting a NAB Mini Legend, I had a few tears in my eyes because I was like, What the hell? She explained that for her, football was a big part of her life from the start. Carlton President Luke Sayers spoke to the crowd at last night's Hall of Fame event. Round Table: What was the moment of the AFLW Grand Final? Tori loves putting fun first and taking our participants on the best adventures in Melbourne! This led me to realising I wanted to help Indigenous boys and girls reach their dreams, she said. You just have to soak it in, because it only happens once, but probably one of the best feelings in the world to hear your name and know that your dreams have just come true.. In her second year, she again won the Carlton Best and Fairest award, All Australian selection and the League Best and Fairest as the best player in the game. Our AFLW experts tackle some of the burning questions ahead of Round 3, including which recruit has had the biggest impact for their new club, if doubleheaders with the men's games are worth persisting with, and more. Ive got really good people around me that keep me level headed all the time. I still talk to a fair few of them everyday and they still keep in contact with me and see me as the same person I was before I left. Unsurprisingly, it was a night which the two of them - particularly Maddy, given the result - wouldnt change for the world. A shift to girls' football coincided with growing momentum both personally and across the country as a 15-year-old Prespakis, representing the Sunbury girls youth team, began to formulate a dream. She was invited to the under-18s academy and took part in some training with the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood over the past two years, culminating in her drafting in October. Why St Kilda's second appointment of Ross Lyon is a massive gamble, Every AFL club's trade and free agency period graded. Ive got a really good leadership group here at Essendon that are very supportive of myself. Im sure its a day well never forget., Prespakis Cup: secured ?#AFLWCatsBlues pic.twitter.com/qZeyZNFICn. Catch all the goals from the Round 2 clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium. You have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above. I suppose theres still a few girls that I did speak to on the phone in terms of my move who were probably disappointed and didnt really want to speak to me after that, she revealed. I felt pretty bad, she said. Credit: Supplied. - , Carlton AFL (AFLW). The couple won't be on the same team. JR: It's hard to gauge with all the expansion clubs entering the league but Bonnie Toogood has stood out to me so far as a leader at Essendon. #WhatAbilityAthletes, This is what a disability inclusive event looks like! They lost to Carlton by 5 points last season, and 34 in season 5, and despite the game being at Ikon Park, Richmond look likely to take the four points with the depth in their side. Blues celebrate a special night at the Hall of Fame. Already an AFLW Best and Fairest winner despite her tender years, Madison Prespakis will bring genuine star power to the Bombers' inaugural AFLW team. Prespakis won the AFLW Best and Fairest award in 2020 and was named in the All Australian team twice during her four seasons with Carlton. Brisbane have had two huge wins and their side is looking as dominant as ever with the likes of Emily Bates and Orla O'Dwyer. Maddy Prespakis could well have been the league's number one draft pick, but chose to stay in Melbourne.Justin McManus "Oh, not really. The 10 big moments that defined the AFLW season. GEORGIE Prespakis' two-match ban for a dangerous tackle on St Kilda ruck Erin McKinnon has been upheld after a lengthy tribunal hearing on Tuesday night. But fans draw the short straw in doubleheaders despite them being marketed as a plus. Videos Tagged. I was a sook thats for sure, I cried a lot and thats because I played footy from age four to being drafted at 18 - it meant so much to me, she said. Gee was the Blues first selection in the 2019 AFLW draft. AT THE start of the week - even as late as Thursday morning - the game wasnt even meant to be taking place in the 2022 home-and-away season. Watch every AFLW game LIVE on Fox Footy and Kayo. The young woman didnt think it would be possible - but then the AFLW came into place, so she put her best foot forward. I just wanted to get drafted, that was my main focus. Last week's 5pm start for the Demons and the Kangaroos allowed the women to play at the MCG prior to the men, but realistically isn't conducive to getting fans there after work. Im also excited to take a few under my wing and sort of teach them a thing or two and for them to teach me a thing or two as well.. Risk of speaking out in womens sport, Angie Kents quiet romance with AFLW star. Marissa Lordanic: We all know Maddy has what it takes to win a best and fairest so I do think it's something she can achieve. Is it Carlton's year? RSVP essential: https://lnkd.in/gKyc-bRT The Cats, granted picks one and two, had made overtures to the Sunbury teenager and would have almost certainly selected her second, if not first. Please try again later. I dont reckon I slept that night after the game. If Richmond manage to get Katie Brennan back from injury this week, the Hawks will struggle. Existing clubs cant compete: Blues lose stars to expansion side Essendon. By scheduling the games prior to the men's clashes it means there is likely to be more incidental fans, who may come early and watch the women's game or simply catch the end of it while they wait. #WhatAbilityAthlete #HappinessComeFirst Watch the latest sport on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>. The Blues looked vulnerable against Essendon and could be one for the Power to knock off and stamp their mark in South Australian football. She led from the front in an inexperienced team earning her third All Australian selection. , VFL (VFLW) . However, a career-high tally for disposals for Maddy proved to be crucial in Carltons 14-point win. Her dad also played the sport as well as several other family members. The 19-year-old also spoke about her teammates, explaining how in awe she is of their hard work on and off the field. I then worked in the NGA space at Carlton for a year and really enjoyed that. When the game was announced on Thursday, Maddy forecast that she wouldnt be taking it easy on her younger sister, but thats not to say there wasnt a scare in the final term. 1,352 following. The announcement will come during a press conference at 1:30 pm on Wednesday . Blues star Madison Prespakis is headed to Essendon.AFL Photos The 21-year-old will also be joined at the Bombers by Blues teammate Georgia Gee as clubs take an aggressive approach to landing new talent with Essendon joining Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney in entering the competition. Maddy Prespakis - Essendon FC Our AFLW experts tackle some of the burning questions ahead of Round 8, including whether Maddy Prespakis can win the league's best and fairest and which Pride jersey is best. I want to use my platform to create real change . It is very special and I definitely dont take any minute for granted. Carlton coach Michael Voss is confident a summer of high-intensity training will pay off in the long run. Australia's athlete Power Rankings: Who are our most influential stars? RSVP essential: https://lnkd.in/g4J3JEkK Ranking every AFL after-the-siren winning goal since 2000, AFLW as a side hustle: How work, life and everything is impacted, Round 2 Rewind: Injuries continue to detract from the footy. Patrick Cripps and Harry McKay have been rested for the final 2023 pre-season practice match. Whether youre an existing member of the What Ability community or simply want to find out more, we would love to see you there! Welcome to the team Maddy! But the 21-year-old has swapped the navy blue for the red sash, joining the Bombers in their inaugural season in the league. While she believes the AFLs Indigenous Round is a special time for people, she hopes one day that Indigenous culture can be celebrated all year round. This day had it all! 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