Into the big league

As a junior basketballer with the Bendigo Braves, this would-be footballer never imagined she’d one day be playing alongside her heroes in the AFLW.

By John Holton - Photography by Meg Mullen, Western Bulldogs

Former Bendigo Pioneer footballer Annabel Strahan describes the first time she walked the hallowed halls of the Whitten Oval as a moment of pure awe. “The facilities and the history of the club are quite overwhelming,” she says. “Taking to the field with my teammates for the first time, after watching them on TV, was both weird and incredibly exciting. “I still pinch myself some nights as I leave training, thinking how lucky I am to be doing this.” It was hard work rather than luck that saw Annabel gain a place on the Western Bulldogs list after initially missing out at the 2021 draft. Like many AFLW players, Annabel’s pathway into footy was as a ‘cross-coder’. Having grown up playing basketball, she was part of the Victorian Country High Performance program and played with the Bendigo Braves in under-12 and under-16 teams. “I started playing some local footy in 2018 and found it really freeing,” Annabel says. “I had fallen out of love with basketball – it had become really draining. Footy felt carefree and non-restrictive in comparison.” By 2019, she was playing in the midfield for the Bendigo Pioneers and the following year became co-captain of the team. It was a whirlwind time and her coaches soon gave the impression that AFLW was a real possibility. “That was when I stepped things up and got stuck into training,” Annabel says, “though nothing can really prepare you for the standard of AFLW. Getting myself to the same fitness and strength levels as the other girls was a real challenge, but after this year’s pre-season it felt like my body was there.”

Annabel’s debut game against Fremantle on February 1 came as a genuine surprise. After all the hard work, and waiting 13 months for her opportunity, she learned of her call-up just 90 minutes before game time. “Burkey (coach Nathan Burke) had mentioned they’d be doing some fitness tests on some players that morning, but when I hadn’t heard anything I thought ‘they must all be good’,” Annabel says. “Thirty minutes before warm-up, I was chucking on my gear.” Despite her mother and boyfriend having just 10 minutes to rush to Whitten Oval for the guernsey presentation, Annabel says they couldn’t have been prouder. It was even sweeter given that her mum is a Doggies supporter. “I was a bit of a swinging fan when I was a kid,” Annabel admits. “Some of my family are mad Carlton supporters, but I loved to get around Essendon and Collingwood. When I got older, I joined my mum and became a Doggies supporter… I haven’t looked back.” While Annabel is grateful and proud to pull on the red, white and blue guernsey, she is also aware of the disparities between the women’s and men’s games that still make it impossible for women to be full-time footballers. “It’s definitely something the players discuss regularly,” she says. “In a perfect world, we’d be playing at a full-time capacity where the expectations on players met the conditions needed to flourish and perform. “Training year-round and playing a longer season that mirrored the men’s competition would make for more consistent performances and would definitely lift the integrity of the game.” While she dreams of the day that AFLW is a full-time career, Annabel is also mindful of, and grateful for, the trailblazers who’ve carved a path for young women like herself. “The story of AFLW is one of perseverance,” she says. “People like Western Bulldogs general manager Debbie Lee, who’s fought so long for women’s football to be recognised. And some of my teammates who’ve been in the competition since the outset – the sacrifices they’ve made so that AFLW standards continue to rise.”

Outside of footy, Annabel has no trouble finding ways to relax. While the move from Bendigo to the big smoke has had its challenges, it also means she’s closer to the beach and can hit the surf whenever the ocean calls. “Surfing has become an essential recovery and relaxation from footy,” she says. “As much as footy is fun, it can be emotionally all-consuming and draining. Being out in the water helps me reflect and have time for myself.” Like so many of her AFLW peers who juggle footy with work or study, Annabel is studying a Bachelor of Political Science at Melbourne University, to enhance her career opportunities postfooty. “I’m completing my studies part-time and really enjoying the course,” she says. “I’m lucky, as a part-time student, not to have the level of responsibility many AFLW players have who are juggling full-time careers with football.” While Annabel is inspired by so many women who play, or have played the game, she also had her childhood heroes in the men’s competition. “Growing up, it was those superstar players who inspired you to dream big, no matter what sport you played,” Annabel says. “For me, that was Chris Judd and later, in my teenage years, Marcus Bontempelli. “As I’ve come to experience the highs and lows of selection and being a younger, less experienced player, I look to current players like Cody Weightman and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who have been candid about their experiences of struggling to break into the Bulldogs side. “Their comments on staying positive have been really important to me.” But Annabel’s greatest inspiration will always be her mum. “She has been my biggest supporter, even when I questioned the journey and lost self-belief,” Annabel says. “She is such a strong person and the way she has persevered and continues to chase her goals is something I want to emulate in my own life.”

Avril Wilson, Luca Shatwell, Taylah Wilson and Sadie and Macy Dyett Belinda and Jakoby Appleby

COME, SING A SONG OF JOY

A silent night was not possible during the Rotary Club of Bendigo’s 50th Carols by Candlelight concert.

A large crowd full of festive cheer gathered in the beautiful Rosalind Park to sing along to classic Christmas carols, with a visit from Santa absolutely thrilling the little kids (and big kids at heart).

Chris, Georgie, Amanda and Mackenzie

Kingsley, Toby, Kellie, Ariel, Chris and Matt Georgia, Imogen, Ash, Nathan and Jorja

Tamara, Leyton, Brenton, Logan and Harper

ELLA FLAVELL

“At BSSC you can be yourself and you’ll be treated respectfully. My own respect for diversity has grown dramatically. I feel really safe on campus.” JOE WILD

“BSSC is a place that fosters individuality. We’re encouraged to be independent, but given every opportunity to achieve the marks we need.”

RILEY JOHNSTONEMCCLOUD

“BSSC provides so much subject choice and the teachers make classes fun and enjoyable. I feel more selfresponsible for my learning.” ADELINE SANDERS

“My teachers have been so supportive. They have a genuine interest in us as people… beyond the work we hand in.”

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES

BSSC offers the greatest choice of VCE, VET and VCAL subjects in Victoria, a wide range of specialist programs and flexible learning options, all designed to create an environment that supports learners at every level. Like to find out more? Phone: 5443 1222 Email: admin@bssc.edu.au

Bendigo Senior Secondary College

Anique Gould and William Fitzpatrick

Jessie, Matthew and Lucienne Kunne

Dale, Simone and Suzanne Jackson Damien, Leni, Sharon and Mila

Natasha, Sienna, Scott and Bonnie Royden

Zahlia Grinton and Meg Parker

MOONLIGHT ATTRACTS THE MASSES

The much-loved Moonlight Market returned with a bang on a perfect January evening after an almosttwo-year hiatus.

Large crowds flocked to the first market held at the Dai Gum San precinct, taking delight in the mouth-watering food and large variety of stalls, while listening to the sweet tunes of local musicians.

BEAUTIFUL LIVING SPACES

WORK ENVIRONMENT DESIGN SOLUTIONS

CERTIFICATION #CN438