Foley tells of journey to the top

INAUGURAL ThunderW Club Champion Ange Foley still pinches herself at how far she has come as a footballer.

The Shepparton product added another trophy to her cabinet after finishing on 91 votes, ahead of Adelaide Crows teammate Jasmyn Hewett (82) at the awards presentation in Darwin on Friday night.

Super-tough defender/midfielder Foley has been a revelation at the Crows and Thunder over the past two years, helping Adelaide to the first-ever AFLW title in 2017.

And after her outstanding 2018 VFLW season with the Territory, the 29-year-old could win another premiership on September 16.

Thunder takes on Geelong in a semi-final at Stannards Stadium next Sunday.

Foley has played a huge role in helping women’s footy in the Territory get to where it is today.

“It’s been amazing. In five years I’ll sit back and reflect on my time here and what Territory football did for me,” she told the Sunday Territorian.

“It’s made me achieve at a pretty high level, and I’m proud of what I’ve done at the Crows and I’m pretty proud of this club after where I’ve come from.

“I’ve been here for six years now and my football has gone to the next level.

“It (playing in the VFLW) is an unbelievable experience for women to showcase their talent in Victoria.

“For us to be in the secondhighest competition in Australia is pretty amazing.”

Foley is proud to have played her part in ensuring Thunder will be a competitive VFLW outfit for years to come.

“We’ve come a long way this season. In our inaugural season we’ve put a lot of hard work into it,” she said.

“These are the girls we want in our squad for the next five or six years.

“If I can help them develop, one of them might also be the next best and fairest winner in a couple of years.”