By: AFL

The country’s most promising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural girls will take part in a talent showcase in Brisbane as part of the 2024 Woomeras and Medleys program

The country’s most promising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural girls Australian rules footballers aged 15-and-under have been selected in the 2024 Woomeras and Medleys squads.

The Woomeras squad is made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, while the Medleys squad comprises players with a parent born outside of Australia.

Both squads feature players from across Australia, who will come together in Brisbane this week to take part in a football and leadership camp.

Players will arrive in Brisbane on Thursday, July 11 and engage in a range of football and athletic training sessions, along with cultural and leadership-building activities across the three-day camp.

The highlight of the program will be two talent showcase matches which will be played at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday, July 13.

The Woomeras vs Medleys games will be played following the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships – U18 Girls match between Queensland and the Allies.

AFL Diversity Talent Programs Manager, Narelle Long, said: “We’re thrilled to have our 2024 Woomeras and Medleys squads coming together in Brisbane this week.

“The players in the Woomeras and Medleys squads have showcased great football potential and a determination to develop themselves as athletes and people.

“This week’s camp will provide an environment for the players to engage in activities that will further enhance their football development and develop their leadership skills.

“Saturday’s matches at Brighton Homes Arena provide a fantastic opportunity for players to showcase their talent with a view to then being selected in the Indigenous and Multicultural Academies and other talent pathways programs in the future.”

The Woomeras and Medleys programs will be coached and mentored by a host of current and former AFLW and state league players, some of whom featured as members of the Woomeras and Medleys squads in previous years.

The Woomeras coaching panel includes GWS Giants forward Aliesha Newman, Krstel Petrevski, Janet Baird, Imahra Cameron, Cassie Davidson and Jordy Mifsud, who last year tied for the VFLW best and fairest award, the Lambert-Pearce Medal.

Former Medleys player and Western Bulldogs No. 6 draft pick Elaine Grigg features on the Medleys coaching staff alongside Akec Makur Chuot, Nyakoat Dojiok, Hanna Fosbrooke, Bianka Tsan and Mary Daw.

The Woomeras and Medleys programs feature as part of an action-packed week of talent pathways activities in Queensland.

Brighton Homes Arena hosted a Marsh AFL National Championships U18 boys and girls double-header last Sunday.

Meanwhile, all ten teams competing in the 2024 AFL National Development Championships – U16 Boys have been taking part in Round 2 and 3 of the Championships on the Gold Coast.

HOW TO WATCH: A live stream of the Woomeras vs Medleys matches at Brighton Homes Arena will be available here. The first game will commence at 12:15pm, with the second game to follow at 2:00pm.

Continue below to see the 2024 Woomeras and Medleys squads.

WOOMERAS

MEDLEYS

By: West Australian Football Commission

The mental and emotional wellbeing of players often takes a backseat to physical performance. 

However, Peel Thunder Football Club is changing the game by prioritising the holistic development of their players. 

At the forefront of this movement are Jon Perry and Kelsie Clark, the dedicated Wellbeing Coordinators for the men’s and women’s.

A key initiative that underscores this commitment is the Think Mental Health Round, supported by Healthway, which highlights the importance of mental health and player wellbeing. 

This initiative aligns perfectly with Thunder FC’s ethos, emphasising that taking care of mental health is as crucial as physical training. 

Through various activities and awareness campaigns, the Think Mental Health Round ensures that both players and fans recognise the value of mental resilience and support.

An American, Perry is a Pastor at his local church and brings a unique perspective to his role as the Men’s Wellbeing Coordinator. With no prior experience in Australian Rules Football (AFL), Perry’s focus is solely on helping players navigate life’s challenges and find purpose both on and off the field. 

His ‘Thunder Man’ concept is the cornerstone of his fortnightly presentations to the playing groups.

“The idea behind Thunder Man is to build up better men,” Perry explains. 

“Men that will take responsibility for their actions, seek ways to transform the world they live in, reject the easy way and do the hard things, and learn to lead courageously. 

“It’s all designed to bring a wholeness to manhood. 

“Who they are behind the scenes, who they are in public, and the athlete you see out on the field.”

Beyond the scheduled presentations, Perry ensures that he is always available for informal catch-ups and chats, whether it’s over the phone or at training sessions. 

His presence extends beyond the men’s team as he offers valuable support to coaches and staff, serving as a trusted advisor on matters of work-life balance and morale-building.

Perry’s journey into sports wellbeing isn’t just professional; it’s deeply personal. 

As a father who has welcomed adopted children into his family, he understands the importance of creating a nurturing and safe environment for growth. 

His experience in Sports Chaplaincy equips him with the skills to offer comprehensive support to Thunder FC’s players.

On the women’s side, Kelsie Clark embodies a similar dedication to empowering players both on and off the field. 

With a long-term vision for her role, Clark aims to implement strategies that will elevate the women’s team to new heights season after season. 

Her weekly pre-training talks cover a wide array of topics, from mindset to positive affirmations, fostering a culture of self-belief and resilience among the players.

“The key message I have communicated to the team this year is that physical and emotional regulation are at the core of being resilient athletes,” Clark said. 

“Being totally in control of our emotions and actions on and off the field, not only enhances our focus and performance on field, but also helps to manage the stresses of everyday life.

“As WAFLW athletes, balancing life and footy is such an important thing to get right. 

“I’ve kept this front of mind whenever I work with any of the girls, trying to keep a strong focus on skills that will benefit them and enhance their wellbeing both on and off the field.”

Clark’s impact extends beyond her role as the Women’s Wellbeing Coordinator; she also lends her expertise as a Strength and Conditioning Assistant to the men’s program, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration across the club.

Together, Perry and Clark are revolutionising the way Peel Thunder FC approaches player wellbeing, proving that success on the field is not just about physical skill but also about the player’s wellbeing. 

By Martin Smith | AFL

COLLINGWOOD legend Scott Pendlebury has notched up his 10,000th career disposal in front of a sold-out MCG crowd on Thursday, extending his lead as the most prolific ball-winner in VFL/AFL history. Pendlebury started the day just four possessions short of the 10,000 mark and brought up the milestone during the first quarter of the traditional Anzac Day game against Essendon with a handball in the defensive 50 to help repel another Bombers attacking move.

Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury receives an ovation after becoming the first VFL/AFL player to reach 10,000 career disposals The moment was acknowledged with warm applause from the huge MCG crowd. In a neat piece of symmetry, Pendlebury’s tally of 10,000 was made up of 5,003 handballs and 4,997 kicks. Pendlebury was within reach of the milestone in Collingwood’s past two games, but was subbed out of matches against Hawthorn (after six touches) and Port Adelaide (after 18 disposals). Scott Pendlebury kicks the ball during Collingwood’s clash against Port Adelaide in round six, 2024.

Last year, Pendlebury moved past the all-time VFL/AFL record of most career disposals that had belonged to St Kilda great Robert Harvey. Among current players, only Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak has had more than 8000 career disposals. Scott Pendlebury is tackled by Lachie Neale during the R3 match between Collingwood and Brisbane at the Gabba on March 28, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos More history awaits the Pies legend this season, provided he can stay on the park. Only five men have ever made it to the magical 400-game milestone and Pendlebury could make it six by the end of the year. Having played 25 games in 2023, Pendlebury could reach the milestone as early as the Pies’ round 18 game against Geelong. And should the Pies manage to surge into September again and their former skipper stay fit, he could well finish the season in third place given Dustin Fletcher (400 games), Kevin Bartlett (403) and Shaun Burgoyne (407) are all within reach.

Beyond that trio, only Brent Harvey (432) and Michael Tuck (426) would stand ahead of him. Most career disposals 9,996 – Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood, 2006-2024) 9,656 – Robert Harvey (St Kilda, 1988-2008) 9,213 – Brent Harvey (North Melbourne, 1996-2016) 9,151 – Kevin Bartlett (Richmond, 1965-1983) 8,896 – Gary Ablett jnr (Geelong & Gold Coast, 2002-2020)

BY FRANK SEAL | SEN

Taking up our great game at 23 years old, Mason Cox has grown into the most successful American to ever grace Aussie Rules turf.

Standing 211 cm and boasting a nice NCAA division 1 basketball career in college, matching up on superstars like NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Cox would eventually take his large frame and American swagger to the footy field.

He debuted on the grandest of all stages, ANZAC Day, in front of 85,000 at the MCG, where within 90 seconds of play, he marked and goaled with his first touch in the big time, sending the Magpie army wild. This would not be the only time.

Now a premiership Pie and reaching the twilight of his playing days, 32-year-old Cox is forging his post-career passion, expanding the AFL audience to U.S soil.

Speaking with Gerard Whateley during the Boxing Day Test on SEN Cricket, Cox shared this passion for the Australian game and his experience filming an interview for 60 minutes US.

“That would have probably reached 20-30 million people… almost the population of Australia,” he said.

“That’s a massive piece for people just to get interested.

“We’re such a diverse world of people from all different walks of life and different places that you can find fans anywhere in the world that will support whatever sport they have.”

With the rival NRL competition hosting round one of their season in Las Vegas, calls for the our code to follow suit may confront Andrew Dillon and the AFL house in the very near future.

“Hopefully the AFL at some point makes that commitment,” Cox added after raising the NRL experiment.

“Hopefully at some point in my life or maybe post my career I could help make that happen.”

There is obviously much potential to grow the game exponentially with an American audience, the USA being home to over 330 million people, many of which share the love of sport that unites millions of Australians.

“If you get 1% of the population of America to care about AFL it’s more than the whole population of Melbourne,” Cox added.

“It’s a huge ability to make some kind of financial income for the AFL and hopefully they can realise that.”

Cox has played 113 AFL games across his career for the Magpies, spanning eight seasons and culminating in the 2023 AFL premiership.