By JARROD POTTER
RUNNING out on Anzac Day against the combined Army, Navy and Airforce team – the Australian Defence Force (ADF) – Cranbourne’s star midfielder Naomi Brisbane has been selected to represent the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL).
Brisbane has made her presence felt in only a dozen matches for the Eagles – winning their best-and-fairest award last season from her first nine games of football and also named co-captain this season.
The honour of playing on Anzac Day is a proud achievement for Brisbane.
“It’s pretty much a match to celebrate our freedom – the only reason we’re free and able to play on Anzac Day is because of the sacrifices the servicemen made for us,” Brisbane said.
“It does mean a lot and it’s very humbling to get selected in a team like that, considering the amount of time I’ve played football.”
On top of playing on Anzac Day and representing the league, Brisbane finds the call-up a great learning experience – to pick up the skills and techniques the Premier League players put into place.
“Just going there to enjoy the experience and I’m very humbled to play with those girls who play in the Premier leagues is exceptional,” Brisbane said.
“To be noticed by the Premier League coaches it means a lot to me and means I can strive for a lot of things in the future and go a lot further with my footy.”
She’s no stranger to representing Victoria – having played for the state in softball and baseball through her junior and senior career.
In the Cranbourne colours, Brisbane wants to push her limits in 2013, fulfilling the demands that becoming co-captain and last year’s best-and-fairest place on her.
“I’m co-captain this year and I’ve worked really hard in the off-season with all the personal training to get fitter,” she said.
“That was my aim.
“Got to really step up and prove why I won that (best-and-fairest) last year, so that was my inspiration to getting stronger and trying out for the VWFL team.”
Cranbourne sits third on the VWFL ladder and has a bye this weekend.
