The Calder Cannons have named Grace Azzopardi and Ava Gerada as co-captains of the girl’s team into the 2024 Coates League season.
Playing in her second season, Azzopardi has become a valuable member of the Cannons outfit.
She had also been a standout player at the Sunbury Lions, where she earned the best first year player award last season.
Azzopardi said she was pleased to be recognised among her peers. The players voted on the leadership with some input from the coaches, but they took the leading role.
“During pre-season one of my goals was to be in the leadership, so it’s a huge honour to be named among the other girls,” she said. “I think it’ll be a good year.”
She said she hopes to spend more time in the midfield this year after spending most of last year on the half back line.
“It’s been one of my goals, I’ve been working on my fitness,” she said.
“We had our practice game last week and I was in the midfield and that went well.”
Gerada, who played her junior football at Westmeadows, is now in her third year at the Cannons.
Entering her draft year, Gerada said she’s trying not to put too much pressure on herself.
“Honestly feeling really honoured that the girls and the coaches have trusted both me and Grace with the role,” she said.
Gerada is likely to move back to the forward line after having a spell in the back line to round out last season.
But it’s AFL midfielder Scott Pendlebury she most admires.
“I’ve grown up watching the boys, I think his skills and him being so consistent throughout the game, I feel like I look up to him the most.
Chloe Baker-West, Amelia Wright and Camryn Bux have also been named in the leadership group.
The Cannons kicked off their season on Saturday against the Northern Knights.
The Knights kicked the first two goals of the game and managed to increase that margin to 20 points at half time.
The Cannons finally hit the scoreboard in the third quarter, but the margined increased by one point.
The Knights finished the match off strongly, winning 5.10 (40)-2.3 (15).
Amelia Wright kicked both goals for the Cannons.
Milla Murphy, Jade Mclay and Wright were named the Cannons best.
The Cannons face the Bendigo Pioneers on Sunday in Bendigo in round two.
