By JARROD POTTER
TAKING to the big stage with gusto, Western Bulldogs footballer Bianca Jakobsson showed the footy world her on-field credentials under lights at Etihad Stadium.
Jakobsson, 23, was one of the Bulldogs’ best on Sunday afternoon in the second AFL Exhibition Series clash of the season as her side knocked over visiting Western Australia by 13 points.
Just standing on the field was awe-inspiring for the Cranbourne VFL utility – let alone starring in the clash.
“Running out there, just really looked around and thought ‘wow, this is a dream come true’, and couldn’t really believe what was happening,” Jakobsson said. Woke up this morning (Monday) and got up for work thinking ‘is this actually happening?’ – it’s all happening so quickly.
“To get those couple of early goals settled the nerves a bit – once I got my first touch I think I settled into the game pretty well and just tried to go about my footy and play my role in the side.”
It took a while for the Dogs to get going – only kicking four behinds in the first term – but from there the gears started grinding into place as the Victorians surged.
Playing as a roaming forward, Jakobsson, in only her second AFL match, was tasked with getting into the contests as a de facto centre and working back to hurt the Swans the other way.
She took to that role and then some as Jakobsson racked up 22 touches, two match-defining goals and the honour of being named best afield.
The result came down to the wire as Jakobsson’s beloved Doggies had to see off the fast-finishing Swans, but a late goal to Michelle Cranston helped seal the deal and keep the Western women unbeaten in 2016.
“Getting around the girls – that was a really exciting moment of the game,” Jakobsson said. “It was an amazing celebration after beating WA – it was great to belt out the Doggies’ song in the rooms and something incredible to top off the day.
“It’s all just going so fast, and I can’t believe what is happening and I’m improving my footy more and more and that’s what I want to do … to be playing at this level is a dream.”
She’s got an eye on the National Women’s League – set to launch in 2017 – but for now each match at the AFL level before that is a blessing that she wants to focus on.
“I think we all are – we’re all working towards that (NWL),” Jakobsson said. “The stepping stone is in place to 2017 and we’ve spoken about that in the academy and even during the Doggies time – but yesterday was about yesterday and we were focused on getting the win.
“I think it’s definitely in the back of everyone’s mind and the journey into 2017 – we all want to play AFL footy and that’s definitely there.”
Jakobsson wanted to thank the Bulldogs for their support of women’s footy – as she relished every second in the Dogs ranks from training sessions, match analysis and preparation all the way through to singing the song after the victory.
AFL FEMALE EXHIBITION SERIES
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.4 4.4 5.4 8.5 (53)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.2 2.5 3.9 5.10 (40)
