Young Gambier Centrals Lion Emmy Jeffrey has stunned spectators throughout the 2022 Steeline Bendigo Bank Limestone Coast Football Association season with her exploits near the net.
In fact, she was so prolific the Under 13s player needed just 12 rounds to break the 100-goal barrier.
The remarkable achievement was brought up during a recent clash against Millicent where the Lions prevailed in a big win.
Jeffrey said she experienced a lot of emotions when she discovered the milestone was broken.
“It just sort of happened. I did not know (when she scored) and found out from my coach’s dad,” she said.
The century itself was raised with a team effort where Jeffrey used the help of Addison Bros on the far wing before cutting her way around four defenders and nailing a left-footed strike through the goalkeepers hands.
In the moment, the youngster was not aware of the milestone and did not make a fuss about the goal, calmy running back to her position to get ready for the next play on a day when she scored 11 goals off her deadly boot.
Jeffrey could not pick a favourite from her total – which has grown to 103 – but hitting the back of the net from a corner stand out in her mind.
The star striker fist kicked a round ball when she was four-years-old in the MiniRoos system and has not stopped playing since.
Her talent as an aggressive goal scorer was evident from an early age and has been a top player in the Under 13s competition when she first entered the grade last year.
In Jeffrey’s first season she scored 12 goals in as many games, but has took her game to extraordinary heights this year.
She has been at the forefront of Centrals’ surge to the top of the ladder where the side currently enjoys a healthy advantage yet to lose a game.
Jeffrey is far from a one-person band with Chloe Bullock also featuring in the competition’s leading goal-scorers with 21 next to her name.
The likes of Saskia Brogan, Annabelle Gordon and Czara Kumbhara have also played big roles in the Lions’ success this year.
Not only is Jeffrey a prolific goal sneak in the Under 13s Girls team, she also has a crack at the Under 16s level.
Despite running around bigger bodies backing up just minutes after playing a full game, Jeffrey has established herself as one of the mainstays in Centrals’ Under 16’s outfit.
The Lions are also sitting on top in that grade where Jeffrey also leads the goalscoring tally with 19.
She said playing two back-to-back games was not talways easy, but she does it with a smile.
“It is tiring, but a lot of fun,” she said.
“I just try to think positive.”
When asked if Jeffrey has a soccer hero, she quickly replied “Sam Kerr” because she tries to model her game off the prolific Matilda’s and Chelsea star.
“I like her headers because she is just a good player,” she said.
“I try to (play like her) sometimes I do.”
Not only does Jeffrey run out two matches in fine form, she does so with Type 1 Diabetes.
Jeffrey said she uses the condition as a huge source of motivation.
“It just makes me try harder,” she said.
“We just have to make sure her levels are correct before the game and monitor it all the time,” said father Ben Jeffrey.
“She has an insulin pump on her when she plays and we always make sure we are there and people know.
“The big thing is just making sure she has enough food, carbs and sugars, especially playing two games a day because her levels can drop.
“It makes her more determined I think.”
Aside from pushing for a premiership this year with Centrals, Jeffrey also has SAPSASA and Country Championships duties in the next fortnight before she completes a big month participating in the high-level State Identification Program.
Reflecting on the special 2022 season so far, Emmy Jeffrey said she could not score all these goals without the support of her parents, teammates and coaches.
“Thank you (mum and dad) for bringing me to the soccer games and signing me up,” she said.
“Thanks to my teammates and coaches for helping me.”
