FOOTY-MAD FREYA’S GRAND FINAL FLING

LITTLE Freya Oates loves her footy — big time.

Mum Clare says the eight-year-old is so competitive “she eats the boys for breakfast”.

Freya, of Lachlan, will get her teeth into the AFL Grand Final after being selected as one of 22 Auskickers to take part in the players’ parade in Melbourne, play on the MCG during half-time of the big match on Saturday and help present premiership medals to the players.

IN eight-year-old Freya Oates’ household of footy fans, it’s “Carlton or adoption papers”.

Clare Oates is the mother of one of the 22 nominees for the 2019 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year, and said her daughter gives her three brothers a run for their money when it comes to sport.

“Freya is so competitive she eats the boys for breakfast,” Mrs Oates said.

The young sports enthusiast from Lachlan, who plays soccer, futsal and Aussie rules, will be going to Melbourne today thanks to the Auskicker of the Year competition.

Freya will take part in a three-day Toyota AFL Grand Final experience — walking in the Grand Final parade, playing on the MCG during halftime and presenting the 2019 AFL Premiers with their medals. And if Freya were to win the Auskicker of the Year and the $5000 that comes with it, Mrs Oates said it will go towards her shoe obsession.

“Rebel Sports won’t know what’s hit them,” she said.

The competition is part of the NAB AFL Auskick program that invites all children aged five to 12, no matter their knowledge of Australian football, skill or ability, to participate in the non-contact program.

Freya has been involved in the Eastern Shore Auskick Centre’s all-girls program.

“Freya has always played mixed sport,” Mrs Oates said. “Playing in a like-minded skill set was really, really lovely to see.” When Freya heard the news her entry video had been successful, Mrs Oates said she simply ran back to where her soccer training was taking place, in a true show of her dedication to the career.

She later said to Mrs Oates: “Well Mum, I was in the middle of soccer training, I can be excited after but my coach was calling.”