GROWING up in a family of football fanatics meant that Olivia Madden was destined to play Aussie Rules.
Her dad, Justin played 332 games for both Carlton and Essendon while her brother, Joel is currently running around in the seniors for Aberfeldie.
With Joel playing at Aberfeldie since his Under 12 days, Madden knew that Aberfeldie was always the club she was going to join in the EDFL Women’s competition.
“They’ve (Aberfeldie) just got a great community and I’ve known a few of the girls who have joined from basketball,” she told essendondfl.com.au.
“It’s just a local team and my brother plays so I was naturally going to come here.
“It was the only team I really had my eyes set on.”
Since arriving at Clifton Park, Madden has never looked back and is really enjoying her time in the new EDFL Women’s team.
“I love training and love my team, it’s just a great way to catch up with everyone,” she said.
“It’s getting a bit cold lately but we all encourage each other and it’s a really positive group.
“We’ve got a great committee who’s really supportive of us and we’re really pushing each other lately to do our best.”
This has clearly been working, as Aberfeldie has won several games this season without putting an emphasis on wins and losses.
Its first win came against reigning premiers, Keilor, and Madden admits that although it was unexpected, she was ecstatic about the outcome.
“We didn’t expect to beat Keilor but that was a great win,” she said.
“We didn’t go in with high expectations but we always wanted to play well and push ourselves against them.
“It was a great surprise to beat Keilor and win a few other games against teams like Strathmore and Westmeadows.”
Madden too has been able to record some individual wins, as she has been named amongst the coaches’ best players on a handful of occasions.
Despite this only being her first year of competitive football, the Aberfeldie star believes her kicking is sound and that she is improving in other skills of the sport.
However, she would like to work more on her physical game as the season goes on.
“I’ve been always kicking a footy around since I was younger so just being able to kick (is one of my strengths),” Madden said.
“I’m still working on the physical side because I’m not naturally strong.”
The former basketballer and current netballer enjoys having a go at all sports, but is looking forward to pursuing football further and becoming a long-term Gorillas player just like her brother, Joel.
“I’d love to keep playing as long as I can and keep improving,” Madden said.
“I’m really enjoying my first season so I think I’ll stay at Abers for as long as I can.”
