EMERGING regional football talent Brooke Tonon will play on the big stage in front of her home fans when the South Australian State Under 16 women’s football team plays Victoria Country at McDonald Park.
To be played on Sunday of the June long weekend, it will be the second time Tonon has been picked to represent the state after she played in the same side last year as a bottom-age player.
But this season will be extra special for Tonon as it will be played at the same venue where she has played all of her junior football for East Gambier.
The midfielder won selection after she impressed during her time at the Crows Academy, which included four “next generation academy showdowns” against a Port Adelaide Academy side, with some of the best female football talent on show.
Tonon said the vigorous selection process meant it was more satisfying being selected this time against more competition.
“I made the same team last year, but it was slightly harder this year because you had to compete against more girls,” she said.
“I played in the SANFL Under 17 team as bottom age, but they selected me as part of the Crows Academy, which is out of Glenelg, Sturt, North Adelaide and Central District.
“We played four games against Port Adelaide and three games out of they chose 30 people and then cut six out of that, so now we have the squad and three emergencies.”
Tonon said she is excited to play at home with the state jumper on and knows it will be a challenge as no South Australian women’s side has ever defeated a Victorian team before.
“It will be a good experience, especially playing at East and I can bring all my team mates down,” she said.
There are no doubts as to what Tonon’s future ambitions in the sport are, but she remains measured and has a firm understanding of the process it takes to reach the top.
“I hope to play the highest level possible, so obviously AFLW,” she said.
“But it is more of the process of getting there, going through all the pathways and getting drafted.”
Tonon said she was not aware of this opportunity when she started the Crows Academy, but has really enjoyed her time there in the past six months, which included full access to the Crows’ high-
class facilities and coaching by some of the leading AFLW names such as Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randle.
“I was not aware this was the process to get selected, but it was good to have all the Crows women there coaching us, which was really awesome,” she said.
“We had lots of experiences, such as what they do in the draft combine, accuracy skills, measuring our kicking distance, vertical jump and 50-metre sprints.
“Then having all the different people from the AFL women’s team, the backs and midfielders, they all came and helped us out which was great.”
Tonon said she describes herself as a hard working, skilful and thoughtful player.
“I reckon I am tenacious,” she said.
“I go really hard at it and a lot of people say my skills are up there.
“I am very accurate with my kicking as well and I feel like I can read the play really well.”
Tonon said she will use the opportunity to learn as much as she can from the match, but she does not know what role she will play on the day.
“Obviously I will try to gain as much experience as possible,” she said.
“We are only having one training session before we play.
“I have been playing in the midfield, but that is not necessarily where I will play.
“It will be good and I am looking forward to it”.
Fellow Mount Gambier football player Madi Freeman has also been recently selected to represent South Australia.
Freeman will play two games for the State Under 18’s women’s side against the Northern Territory in Adelaide, which starts today.
Tonon and the South Australian Under 16 State side will be in action against Victoria Country from 11am at East Gambier on Sunday, June 9, where full club facilitates will be available.
