Victorian dynamic duo make Qld mark

VICTORIA’S talented Ridley family will unleash a one-two punch on Queensland AFL and netball fans this weekend.

Essendon defender Jordan Ridley is first off the mark against the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday, but he’ll be followed by sister Maddi (pictured), when she makes her netball debut for Bond University in the HART Sapphire Series on Sunday.

Ridley, 18, made the move to Queensland late last year to take up an ADCO Sports Excellence Scholarship at Bond, where she is studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science.

Despite the family’s footy pedigree, Ridley says she was never tempted to pursue an AFLW career, beyond the occasional backyard kickaround with Jordan.

“I got into netball through basketball because Jordan played and I wanted to do everything Jordan did until I was about 10,” Ridley said.

“I started playing netball in primary school and from there I just loved it.”

With competition in Victoria wiped out by pandemic lockdowns last year, Ridley is itching to get back on the court, starting with this weekend’s match against the Jets in Morayfield.

Her preparation has been boosted by 10 weeks’ training with the Queensland Firebirds squad and a camp with the Australian Netball World Youth Cup Squad.

It helps that Ridley can tap into the experience of her brother, who had a breakthrough season with the Bombers in 2020, winning the club’s Crichton Medal and Most Improved Player awards.

“I’m lucky to have an awesome relationship with my brother and I know that no matter what, I can go to him for anything,” she said.