When the Saints came marching into Elsternwick!
Women’s Australian Rules Football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, but its impact extends well beyond the field. When players from the AFLW Saints recently came marching into Elsternwick Campus, it quickly became clear this visit was about more than just footy.
Georgia Patrikios – St Kilda's first-ever AFLW draft pick, spoke about her journey back from a season-ending foot injury. Zoe Besanko shared the challenge of switching from netball to football and the elation of kicking a goal with her very first touch in her first game. Carys D’Addario spoke about managing the frustration of spending a year on the sidelines with a fractured hip before finding the courage to move from Perth to Melbourne to pursue her dreams. For Sophie Butterworth, making the decision to change clubs was daunting, but she knew she had to ‘make it count when the opportunities arose.’
For our students, these weren’t just footy stories. They were real-life examples of resilience, persistence and courage from players only a few years older than themselves. At a time when so many girls walk away from sport altogether, these players showed what’s possible when you back yourself, embrace challenges and follow your dreams. That’s why role models matter.
It was then time to hit the field. During the lunch time clinic, the players led students through kicking, marking and handballing drills, which quickly turned into personal Q&As as students connected with their guest coaches.
‘It was really fun and cool to learn how to play footy from actual footy players,’ said Molly (Year 6).
For Alba (Year 6), the value was in hearing the players' own journeys. ‘It was a fun experience to learn from professional players and to learn how they got to the AFLW.’
Jacinta, also Year 6, agreed, adding that the best part was ‘playing with our friends and learning how to kick from professional footy players.’
Experiences like this reflect what Wesley values most: leadership, resilience and genuine connection between students and the people who inspire them.
Long after the drills are forgotten, the lessons from Georgia, Zoe, Carys and Sophie will remain – that the path to the top is built on commitment and supportive teammates, and getting there takes one step at a time.
