By JARROD POTTER
SHAYLA Marsh is trekking the well-worn path of star Gippsland footballers heading to Cranbourne for a run in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Marsh, 16, from Traralgon, is in the midst of an incredible 2016 on the footy fields across Victoria, and she added another achievement to her well-credentialed season with the VFL debut for the Eagles on Sunday.
From representing the Gippsland Power Youth Girls Academy, playing for Vic Country Youth Girls under-18s as well as balancing commitments for Traralgon Maroons, it’s been a flat out year already but Marsh was willing to put another jumper on and make the season stand out even more.
While it was a tough outing on VFL match number one – lining up against reigning premiers Darebin – Marsh thought the experience was eye-opening and extremely rewarding … especially when she stood toe-to-toe with Melbourne number one draft pick Daisy Pearce at a centre bounce.
“It was definitely a bigger step up compared to local Youth Girls – running out on the oval against some of the girls that you idolise,” Marsh said.
“The whole way up in the car ride I was so nervous because I knew who we were playing against, but it went fast and I’m not fazed by it when you get to play that quality of football.
“When I first went on and went into the middle I was up against Daisy at the start – so the match was a really big step up but I enjoyed every second.”
It wasn’t just her VFL debut though, it was her senior women’s football debut.
She was given no easy tasks in the inaugural game, but relished the chance to stand alongside another Eagles youngster Kayla Ripari and show what the Youth Girls brigade can do in the midfield.
“Probably playing middle with Rippa (Kayla Ripari) we’re the two youngest playing for Cranny that day and that was a highlight and the first half as well – not letting Darebin run away with the ball,” Marsh said.
In just her second season of football, the sporting world is opening up for the roaming midfielder, and she’s ready to take on whatever opportunities she can find. She encouraged other Gippsland Youth Girls and women’s footballers to challenge themselves and make the trip out to Casey Fields.
“I was nervous but so excited at the same time – it was good as I knew a few of the girls beforehand but it was a good experience, and I’ve learned a heap from it,” Marsh said.
“Definitely now, a few other girls who would do it as well – Kris (Smith) asked me to come back next week for the Saturday game and I’ll play that, then I might go back to Youth Girls but then it’s up to Kris really.
“I would definitely tell them to go to Cranbourne – it’s the closest from Gippsland and it’s a really good environment to be around, all the girls took me under their wing and made me feel comfortable.”
Cranbourne has started spreading its recruiting zone in recent weeks, picking up a few talented Gippsland-region footballers to join the VFL ranks and coach Kris Smith thought Marsh slotted in excellently.
“She was good – she didn’t look like a fish out of water,” Smith said. “Won her fair share of footy – good outside mid and a little bit of height about her too.
“Didn’t get overwhelmed by the situation and I was really impressed with her.
“She rolled along the wings a lot then we threw her into the midfield and played the outside mid – so we were very impressed she could do that.”
Marsh’s VFL journey will take her to the other side of Melbourne next week when Cranbourne heads over to face VU Western Spurs on Saturday morning.
