The young girls currently watching their heroes win AFLW games on television do not have to wait too long until they get to kick Sherrins for real as the opening round of the 2022 Veolia Limestone Coast Women’s Football League nears.
The new season kicks off next weekend and the countdown is on as clubs fine tune their preparations.
The sixth edition of the LCWFL will be arguably the most significant yet with the first ever Under 16 competition taking place.
Four clubs – North Gambier, South Gambier, Kongorong and Kybybolite – are onboard for the new season which opens the door to juniors for the first time.
Previously young girls looking to give Australian rules a go were forced to take the more daunting routes of playing against the more accustomed junior boys or play against grown women.
But now youngsters looking to follow in the footsteps of Limestone Coast AFLW stars Brooke Tonon and Olivia Fuller have a much clearer pathway to the top.
Fuller retained her spot in the Cats’ AFLW team after making her debut against North Melbourne and had another productive match in round 2.
Coming up against Carlton in a defence-dominated contest, Fuller impressed once again with 10 disposals and six hit outs.
The senior competition remains as strong as ever with all nine clubs primed to go around again.
All eyes are on South Gambier after its sensational run to the flag last year and it begins its premiership defense against Kalangadoo.
With border issues out of the way, Casterton looks to start on a winning note against Penola, while Kongorong and Kybybolite face off.
The final game of the jam-packed afternoon will be North Gambier and Millicent, while last season’s runner-up Mundulla is forced to wait an extra week.
The opening round will take place in the heart of Mount Gambier at Vansittart Park before the remainder of the nine-round competition is completed with split rounds.
The finals series is made up of four semis and two preliminary finals split across two divisions with the big dance scheduled for Sunday, April 24.
