FORMER Wollongong Saints talent Maddy Collier has created her own little slice of history, named as the first NSW-ACT player to be selected for the Greater Western Sydney women’s team
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Collier is the third player to sign with the Giants, one of eight women’s AFL franchises part of the new women’s AFL league, after the team used their two marquee spots on West Australian pair Renee Forth and Emma Swanson.
“I’m absolutely stoked and I can’t really describe how it feels,” Collier said.
“It’s pretty special to say that I’m part of history as the first NSW/ACT priority pick player in the women’s league.
“I’ve been dreaming about this day my whole life and for it to finally come to fruition, I’m over the moon.
“I dont think it’s fully sunk in yet though, as I don’t think it will hit me till we start pre-season training, which is expected to start in November.”
This caps off a busy month for Collier, who recently took part in the women’s exhibition match between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Demons at Whitten Oval.
Following that, the midfielder was named best on ground in her Sydney first grade grand final victory for the UNSW-ES Stingrays against Sydney University.
”It’s been a hectic month for me and one that I’ll never forget that’s for sure,” Collier said.
“The best part of winning the grand final was beating old rivals Sydney University. A lot of people go all their careers not winning a premiership and to say that I’ve won one already at 20, is pretty special.”
The Giants’ roster will be completed in the coming weeks, with four more priority selections needed before next month’s draft.
Collier is the third player to sign with the Giants, one of eight women’s AFL franchises part of the new women’s AFL league, after the team used their two marquee spots on West Australian pair Renee Forth and Emma Swanson.
The Nowra product’s signing with Greater Western Sydney comes in the biggest week yet in the club’s history.
The Giants’ men’s team takes on this year’s fairytale club the Western Bulldogs in a preliminary final at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
With the women’s competition starting in February, Collier is hoping the Giants remarkable success this season will extend to the women’s team in next year’s eight-team competition.
With pre-season expected to start in November before next year’s competition kick-off, Collier is keen to make a strong impression right from the first bounce.
“Obviously I’ve put a lot of hard work in to get here, but now I have to step it up another level,” she said.
“I’ll start to ramp up my own training next month ahead of the club’s pre-season training.
“Obviously next year will be exciting for the sport but my goals are long term and I hope that next year is only a springboard into a long career for me in the league.”
