Yet to be announced by the club, but mentioned by someone from the AFL’s PR wing (AFL.com.au) that we’ve signed Brooke Sheridan as they replacement player for Cat Phillips.
Brooke was previously a replacement player for the Lions, and this year was playing in the VFLW with the poverty club (Norf).
Our VFLW teams play each other next week.
Play her just to urinate them off.
Officially Official…
I’m guessing Sheridan will play the next few weeks of VFLW for North before she gets pulled out by us?
I’d suggest that’s unlikely, but it’s not impossible. With three weeks till pre-season officially starts, you’d want your player at your place.
In 2021 when there were notably different circumstances the AFL said players had to be given the opportunity to play out the VFLW season:
A more relevant example would be when FCFC oldie-drafted Marianna Anthony last year. She immediately stopped playing for Norf VFLW, and after NOT playing against us the following weekend (
) did play some VFLW with FCFC.
Goneski.
Going out of the side is Brooke Sheridan, who became a Bomber on Thursday afternoon after signing with Essendon’s AFLW program.
In the wake of over-ager Brooke Sheridan realising her dream of making it onto an AFL Women’s list, the newest Brisbane Lions footballer will never forget her journey. The talented forward was a promising prospect set for a huge 2022 season, but an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury derailed that year.
Missing out on a chance in Season 7, Sheridan got back to work on her craft, returned via the Coates Talent League and Brisbane Lions Academy, and produced a consistent few months of football. Gaining another chance to represent Queensland at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Sheridan she as not taking anything for granted.
“I worked a little bit, but the focus really was just getting back to footy,” Sheridan said. “Once I flicked that switch and I was like ‘okay I’m going to do everything I can to get back to footy’, started getting heavy into rehab. I did back off for six months after the injury, just took a bit of a toll then really got back into it.”
Sheridan admits the early stages of rehab for the poorly timed knee injury were tough. Especially given physically she had felt strong heading into the preseason off the back of a solid bottom-age year for Queensland and her QAFL Women’s side, Wilston Grange.
“Heading into last year was feeling good heading into preseason, I was definitely a lot more there physically than I was mentally,” Sheridan said. “Then did the knee, that took a very, very hefty toll mentally. That was a bit of a struggle to get through but ends up on the outside of that really just taught me just don’t take for granted, especially from living with football and then getting really back into it.”
Sheridan made the move to University of Queensland for the 2023 QAFLW season, and booted 12 goals in seven games. Five of the matches yielded multiple goals, including a three-goal haul against her former Gorilla teammates.
At the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Sheridan started forward, but had stints in defence. Against the Allies in her most recent match, the over-ager was in the back 50 before being thrown forward in the last quarter and kicking two clever goals.
Looking up to Carlton’s Darcy Vescio at the top level, Sheridan said her general game smarts and forward IQ were among her better traits.
“Definitely kicking and I would say just that footy IQ of leading patterns, when and where to lead, where you need to be before the footy gets there,” she said. “Kicking distance and accuracy.”
Looking to develop her contested work both in the air and at ground level, Sheridan will now be able to do just that in an elite program. Growing up alongside twin brothers, she always wanted to follow in their footsteps, and with the support of her father who had also loved football his entire life, Sheridan made the move to Brisbane from the Gladstone region to take up a spot with the Lions Academy.
Despite living in Queensland and being apart of the Lions Academy, Sheridan is – or now likely was – a Richmond fan.
“When I first started into footy my sister kind of forced me into being a Lions fan and then I turned five or six and I was like I want to pick a team for myself,” Sheridan said. “My favourite colour was yellow growing up and always loved the Tiger as an animal so decided to go for the Tiges.”
Already kitted up in the Lions outfit after her signing was announced this week, Sheridan had some pretty simple goals for 2023, and now she will hope to continue to achieve them at AFL Women’s level.
“Just getting into playing some consistent footy, getting that confidence fully back,” Sheridan said. “I feel like every game I’m getting more and more confident and just building up on that.”
Stats: Six disposals, three tackles, two marks, one clearance, one goal
In what was a less than ideal day to be a North Melbourne defender, Sheridan impressed. Playing along the last line of defence, she took some important intercept marks, and was responsible for plenty of crucial defensive work. She also snuck forward and booted a goal from about 40m out, showing how much power she has in her kick.
Stats: 11 disposals, two marks, four tackles, two inside 50s, one rebound 50, two behinds
Had an impact up both ends, starting in defence and producing a highlight with a super clean pickup in the defensive goalsquare to save the day, dishing off by hand to a teammate after spinning away from her opponent. In the fourth term, she ran hard to have a flying shot under pressure that unluckily hit the post, then after laying a great tackle and winning a free kick for holding the ball, had a set shot that missed to the left.
Second sentence: she has not been playing “AFL” since she was a kid.
Last paragraph: aaaah, you’re on the AFL payroll.
In between, actual quotes and information.
Local legend Brooke Sheridan has been selected to play for The Brisbane Lions women’s team. A dream come true, Brooke has been playing AFL ever since she could first learn how to walk. With her roots embedded deep into the sport she loves, she shares her journey about her gratitude and the overwhelming amount of support she has received from her community and hopes to make them proud as she chases her dreams of playing alongside some of the most talented women in AFL history.
“To be able to play for the Brisbane Lions, is something that I have always been working towards and can remember feeling so relieved when I got the phone call!” exclaimed Brooke.
“It came as a bit of a shock to me as I remember feeling a whirlwind of emotions as this has always been a long-term goal of mine,”
“I started off as a train on player, so I got to experience what it was like to train with the lions once a week which was a really rewarding and an amazing experience!” said Brooke.
“I was selected to replace an injured player, and even though that’s quite unfortunate I am also super stoked to be able to step up and show the team what I’ve got,”
“I wouldn’t be here, if it weren’t for the constant support of my beloved BITS community and my former high school in Tannum Sands,” explained Brooke.
“My advice for aspiring athletes, would be to never give up. Sometimes, life can get a bit tough but it’s important to listen to your coaches and focus on the basics,”
“Make sure you pay attention and set a realistic and achievable standard for yourself. You should always seek to improve your skills and abilities daily as well to further better yourself for the future.” said Brooke.
AFL is committed to the continued progression of the game for women and girls across all levels of Australian Football. They are striving to become the most accessible, inclusive and visible sport in Australia and the number one sporting choice for both women and girls.
Some footage, forward and back. Pretty clean hands, and kicking is certainly a strength.
Video interview at
