Until Sunday’s RAC Derby, Aine Tighe hadn’t been able to get the ball to bend the right way when dribbling the footy.
 
But when it mattered, she trusted her instinct to kick the goal of the day in Freo’s eight-point win – masterfully bending the ball through from the pocket right before the half time siren.
 
Growing up with a round ball playing Gaelic Football, the oval ball seems like dark magic to the Irishwoman.
 
“I was laughing to myself as I was practicing my dribbles at captains run and it would always dribble the wrong way,” Tighe said.
 
“It was frustrating in practice but today it went the right way.”

Tighe said she was proud to emulate a similar RAC Derby goal from Ebony Antonio from 2022.
 
“It’s the Ebony Antonio pocket isn’t it?” Tighe said.
 
“Tempo (Matt Templeton) our forwards coach tells us to play on instinct and to take the game on and see what opportunities present. It put it on the boot and hoped for the best.”
 
Tighe was also proud to see Freo’s two debutants Jo Gregg and Ariana Hetherington get wins in their first AFLW games.
 
Cregg also hails from Ireland and Tighe was full of praise for her countrywoman.
 
‘It was such a special occasion, we were talking during the week about a lot of our first games,” Tighe said.
 
“She’s learnt a whole new game as have a couple of us who have also come across, without the family support.
 
“It’s a challenge but she’s just cool, calm and collected. She has unbelievable work rate and an unbelievable engine.”
 
Freo are now turning their focus to Collingwood, who they face on Sunday at Victoria Park.
 
“We’re really looking forward to the road trip,” Tighe said.
 
“It’s our first away trip this season. We’ll embrace that and to spend the weekend together will be really exciting.”

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