Girls ready to make footy history

JUST two years into its existence, the senior girls’ Aussie rules side from Friends’ will today be looking to end half a century of pain for the school.

It has been 50 years since a senior team from Friends’ has reached a state football final, and the girls will be chasing glory when they take on St Patrick’s College in Launceston in the inaugural Tasmanian Independent Schools girls’ grand final.

Having only launched the girls’ program last year, Friends’ had so much interest they could nearly fill two teams in 2018.

The side started 2018 with a loss to Guilford Young last month before stringing together some impressive performances against Fahan and Collegiate.

Although the Friends’ side went down to Fahan last week, the team finished on top of the ladder to book its spot in the state final.

“I love playing in the Friends’ girls’ footy team because there’s an amazing level of excitement playing in such a new competition, this only being the second year of the girls’ AFL season and the first year there has been a state grand final, so it feels like we are pioneers of the competition in a way,” said year 12 student and team member Selamawit Bennett.

“The girls believe in each other and our coach Steve believes in us — that makes our team what it is and what gives us a great chance to come home being the first ever Friends’ state final winners.”

The match will be held at St Patrick’s College from 10am.