GAME DAY
AFLW: Match Day information V Brisbane Lions

Tell us about your cultural background/who your mob is.
I'm a Wilyakali woman of the Barkindjji nation. My Aboriginal heritage comes from my maternal side which is my mother. Her mum is Aboriginal and so is my Pop.

Tell us about your journey to football. Where did the love/passion for the sport come from?
It brings routine and structure into my life. Without footy my life would've gone down a completely different road, just with the stuff that I was surrounded by as a kid. I think for me, footy pretty much saved my life and kept me structured.

Who has been one of your biggest supporters and or Indigenous role models in your life?
I think someone in the footy world for me is Eddie Betts. I just think that the way we play is quite similar and the way he shows his pride in his Aboriginal culture when he plays and throughout each game is incredible. He's certainly someone I look up to. As a role model, it's always been my grandmother because of the resilience she displays and she has shown that with hard work comes reward. She's certainly someone I look up to.

What Indigenous issues are you most passionate about and why?
I think for me mental health is the big one, just with the trauma that our people have experienced. I want to break that cycle and I think I'm living proof that it's all about choices and if you make the right choices your life doesn't have to be like the past. Mental health is certainly my drive where I want to make a difference.

Why is having an AFLW Indigenous Round important for you and your community?
I think that the AFL Women’s Indigenous Round is one that's specifically for the Aboriginal players and it showcases our talent. I feel with AFL, we're born to play the game and it's a game that's saved many of our lives with the structure and the training and the discipline that comes with it. To have a round that is specifically for us to celebrate our talent and what we've gone through just to play AFL, it helps bring us together as one team.

In speaking to our 'HEAR US' theme, is there a message you would like to give to Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander women and girls?
If you have dreams stick to them and work really hard. Always respect yourself and no goal is too big or too small so always work hard and stay on the right path and you'll get there.

INDIGENOUS PROFILES

Freo's Indigenous round clash against Brisbane is proudly supported by the club’s Indigenous Program Partner, and co-major partner, Woodside. As part of this partnership Woodside works with the club on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives such as activities at this weekend’s game and also consults with the club on the development and execution of its Reconciliation Action Plan.

To view the Fremantle Dockers Reconciliation Action Plan click here.