Talented East Coast teenager Monique Dufty is looking to join a select group of sportswomen to have played State League netball and football in the same year.
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A member of Cavaliers' under-19 premiership side last season, the 17-year-old joined the Launceston Football Club this year and played her first under-17 NTJFA game at the weekend.
After first taking up football with the East Coast Giants late last year, Dufty said she had been welcomed with open arms at the Windsor Park club since relocating to Kings Meadows.
RELATED: Cavs win under-19 title
The Blues have been home to several state-level dual-sport stars in recent years, including Courtney Webb (cricket) and Kate McLaughlin and Zoe Claridge (both netball).
"This year I've moved up here for college so it just made sense to play with a [Northern] team," Dufty said.
"Claire McManus from the Coast sent me a text and said that they have a few spots on their Launceston team and to just go to training, try it out and see how I go.
"I'm loving footy - the girls are so good and it's such a good club. They've been really patient with me, I'm still learning the rules and what to do but they've been really encouraging and the support is unreal."
The State League netball season will resume this Saturday with Dufty's Cavaliers set to meet rivals Northern Hawks first up.
Named the side's most promising under-16s player in 2018, the former St Helens Clover is keen to help the under-19s secure a third-straight title and edge her way closer to senior selection.
"I don't really get nervous until the day but it should be good, it'll be nice to get back out there with the girls," she said.
"Last year was my first year in the 19s side but this is my second so hopefully we can get another [premiership] this year.
"It was pretty exciting [playing in a grand final and the atmosphere was pretty cool, it was good to play in front of a big crowd."
Thankfully, Dufty's training nights have lined up to allow her to pursue both sports this season.
When she's not studying at Newstead College, she'll be developing her craft in both sports, not to mention other life skills that come with it.
"It does get tiring but I'm lucky that I've got good support so if I need a break I can have a break," Dufty said.
"I'm still really new to football so I'm trying to pick up basic skills in that and I've got a long way to go with footy.
"But it's definitely taught me some stuff - more the social side like making some new friends and starting to grow as a person, that's probably the biggest thing I've picked up from it."
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