W-LEAGUE AUDITION

HOCKEYROOS young gun Rosie Malone has turned down a shot at a W-League football career to chase her Australian hockey dream.

Less than 48 hours after accepting a spot in the 27player national senior women’s squad based in Perth, the Bulletin understands Molendinar-based Malone was on Thursday offered the chance to trial with a W-League heavyweight.

The 20-year-old-striker, who left on Friday to link with the Hockeyroos at the Tri Nations series in New Zealand, plays NPL Women’s football for Souths United and, at 14, was the youngest player ever chosen in the Australian under-17 female team.

Her talent was on full display earlier this season when she shut down Gold Coast United goal machine Meg McElligott in their sides’ NPL showdown.

Malone has often been forced to choose between the two sports but the biggest moment of her career arrived in January when she made her Hockeyroos debut against Spain.

She will have just two weeks to relocate to Perth when the Hockeyroos return from New Zealand on May 29.

“The big thing for her now is the hockey World Cup (in England from July 21 to August 5),” mother Cheryl said.

“I’m definitely heartbroken (for her to go to Perth) but obviously very happy she’s living her dream as well. It’s all very emotional and it’s never nice to say goodbye to your daughter but I just said ‘you’ve got to do it’.”

Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin, who oversaw Australia’s 4-1 win over New Zealand in Cromwell on Sunday, said Malone was a special talent. “We’re excited to welcome her into our squad and ... continuing her development,” he said.