Friend plays tall for Saints

St Kilda AFLW debutant and former Horsham Saints footballer Ella Friend kick-started her football career last week, taking her spot in the side’s back six against West Coast Eagles.

Friend said she credited her time at Horsham Saints and Ballarat Rebels for providing her a good foundation for a smooth step up to elite level.

“It was a pretty awesome experience. I was a bit nervous beforehand but once the game started it all felt as normal as ever,” she said.

“I have been playing since I was five, so it has been a pretty big build-up to get here.

“It was a bit of relief to make a start and play my first game.”

Friend said she was happy to contribute to the Saints’ campaign in any position on the ground.

“Wherever they put me, I’ll dig in and give it my all,” she said.

“I want to be a part of the Saints in the years ahead and hopefully chase some premiership success.

“Bianca Jakobsson is someone I really admire at the club and she has really helped me settle into the backline group.

“It is quite a new position for me and she has been fantastic in showing me the ins and outs of the defensive structure.”

The Saints, who played their first game in 17 days because of COVID-19 within the squad, lost to West Coast by two points in a goalless second-half slog.

Friend maintained her spot for the Saints’ round-six game against Brisbane on Sunday.

However, it was not enough for them to claim their first win of the season, losing 26-31.

The Saints are last on the ladder after their disrupted COVID-19 start to the season and remain winless after five games.