Perry’s on a good wicket at the Suns
BRITTANY Perry has signalled her intention to lead the Suns AFLW team on-field as she searches for high-quality football in her own game.
“I want to play consistent footy and I want to impact when I have the opportunity,” the 25-year-old said of her aspirations for the 2020 season and her career.
“This year my focus is to train at a high level and consistently so then I can transfer that into games.
“I enjoy communicating and trying to help lead the team if I’m playing further behind the ball at forward.”
Perry’s journey reflects many of those from her era.
She dabbled in football at junior level in South Australia but gave it up when she discovered there was no pathway for teenagers.
Perry went on to play cricket and rediscovered football at the age of 16, juggling both for years successfully.
Perry played for South Australia in one-day cricket matches and the Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL while she also represented the state in football from 16 onwards.
She played four of seven games with GWS in the AFLW last year before being delisted but got a second chance with Gold Coast, who drafted her with pick 43 after impressing during last year’s Winter Series.
“The people here are amazing. The club has been so accommodating and they are so integrated with the men,” Perry said.
“We are one club and it’s a massive bonus for us.”
Perry hopes her debut for Gold Coast is just as memorable – but for better reasons – as her maiden game for the Giants against the Kangaroos in Sydney last year.
“I played Round 2 and it was a game where it poured with rain. There was a delay because of lightning and then lights went out before halftime. It was a nightmare of a game.”
Meanwhile, the Suns AFLW team will play a second match simulation tonight, four days after losing to St Kilda at Southport’s Fankhauser Reserve.
Gold Coast will play Brisbane at Yeronga in a match comprising 10-minute quarters.