By Caitlin Arnold
Named ‘Junior’ by her beloved Western Wolves, Emma Brown last weekend became the youngest player in the history of the Sydney AFL Women’s competition to reach the 100 game milestone.
Joining the club at the age of 15, Brown and her family have become club stalwarts by consistently contributing both on an off the field. With her father, Allan, officiating in the goal square and her Nan and Pop often seen cheering from the sidelines, Club President Michaela Ekman says that she is thankful for all the work that ‘Junior’ and her family have put into the club.
With longtime players such as Brown sitting amongst the Wolves’ pack, it is no surprise that Ekman labels the squad as a ‘close-knit group’. It is this familiarity that drives the team to push each other to better their weekly performances.
This year, under the instruction of coach Andrew Taylor, the club has begun focusing on their fitness as a means of improving their game. Now working with a Strength and Conditioning Coach, and sports trainer Dario Rossi, the Wolves have made it their aim to up-skill in hard running, tackling, recovery and fundamental football tactics.
Having spent the off-season training in the Western Suburbs Magpies gym and sharing their facilities, the Wolves have started this season stronger than ever.
The 2014 season has also brought with it some new faces to the Western Wolves, but also the loss of some club legends.
"We have quite a few new faces in the team, but the players to watch will be Tracey Baker who comes from a soccer background, is super fast and going to be a fantastic player, and also Sam Neader has also filled a vital spot as a key defender.
"[There have also been some] retirements from some of the legends of our club including Jules Bernstein who played 155 games, Kerry Taylor who played 119, Rachel Mercer who played 111 - though hasn’t formally retired - and Vicki Zacharia who played 66 games," says Ekman.
With some returning players such as the much admired Margarita ‘Obie’ Obien, Nikki Furlong and Sarah Flanders also rejoining the squad, the Wolves have a spark in their step and this is being reflected on the scoreboard.
Currently sitting third on the Division One ladder, Ekman makes mention of all of her club’s outstanding players, however, notes one in particular.
"Our core group generally is training well, but our Rookie of the Year nominee from last year, Charlotte Latsombath, has come back super fit and has really stepped up her game."
The aim at the Western Wolves for this season is to improve each week, and to provide a contest each round.
"We are planning on doing better than fourth in the finals where we finished last year, but obviously we’d like to win the flag."
Last Modified on 22/05/2014 14:22
