Ahead of Launceston's TSLW grand final contest against Ange Dickson's old club, Clarence, we caught up with the Blues' coach to talk all things sport.
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How did you end up at Windsor Park?
I'm originally from Hobart and I had my first year of football at Clarence and then I moved up to Launceston and my current partner was playing here so it was just an easy transition to go from one to the other and obviously being the only team in Launceston it was the only choice.
How have you found your first year coaching?
It has been challenging. There's obviously been a lot of extra tasks and things to think about than what I first realised but the club is super supportive and I have a good support base around me in terms of my assistant coaches and the leadership group within the team and it's ironed itself out in the last half of the season.
What have been some of the challenges?
To be honest there's not a lot. The girls are fantastic and the drive that they have to want to be better and do better makes my job really easy because a lot of that push comes from within and they are a team that don't want to rest and sit back and leave things to chance, they want to be better and it makes life really easy.
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What's the major difference between you and previous coach, Alex Gibbins?
Obviously I was assistant coach under Alex for two years so I learned a lot from him. He as a coach was super great at game analysis. He talked a lot about stats and could tell you how many goals a team had kicked every game in the third quarter and I don't really focus on that. For me, it's around us as a group and it's more around the skill-based side of things.
What does Launceston Football Club mean to you?
Launceston Football Club, especially over the last year, has become like a second family. I know it's a cliche and a lot of people say that but just within our group there is not one single player I would sit down and have dinner with at any given night or go on a holiday with. They really do become another part of your life, you're spending at least three days together a week and they become part of your family.
Career highlight so far?
I think obviously the 2017 grand final was amazing and the success we had that year came as a surprise. We didn't start the season so well and come the back end, we hadn't lost the last 11 games of the season. In regards to myself, being able to be successful this year as a coach and being able to create the culture and the team feel that we have is important.
Most improved player this season?
I've been most impressed with Elyse Page. She's quiet, she's not going to take speccies or kick brilliant goals but she's the one person who if I look back from last year, the type of player she is to now, you couldn't compare the two. She does everything you absolutely say, never bats an eyelid at it and she'll be up there with the hardest ones on the track when we train.
Best player you've played with?
This one might get me a few looks and bumps at training but it's hard to go against Daria Bannister. She's another one who from her draft year when we won the flag, she was brilliant then but when I look at her now, she's really taken it up another notch. She's a small but plays as a tall and is completely and utterly fearless, she never backs down from a contest.
And against?
She's retired now and I have the utmost respect for her, it would have to be Sandy Eaton. She was somebody who could play anywhere on the ground and could turn a game. The year we won the flag she kicked four of Glenorchy's five goals and turned the game on its head.
AFL or AFLW player your game is most like?
I would probably say someone like Jess Dal Pos. Bit little, small frame like me but zippy around the contest.
How'd you come to support Geelong?
My Dad's a Hawthorn man and my Mum's Carlton but my Mum's best friend when I was a kid was a Geelong fan and she roped me in. When I was a kid growing up, I always had like a Geelong hat, Geelong trackpants, a flag or a little teddy bear that I always carried everywhere.
Other sporting interests?
In summer I'm a touch footy girl. I play a lot of touch football and have since I was like 11. Used to play hockey as a kid but not so much anymore now especially taking over with coaching, I would say footy takes up most of my time and touch is there for a bit of fun.
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