LAUREN Caruso has been a footy fanatic ever since her days of going to watch her beloved Richmond play on the weekend.
She really admired the contact in the sport, and thought that she would give playing footy a shot.
Caruso currently plays for Keilor and the Calder Cannons, and now adds the Vic Metro accolade to her decorated career.
“I don’t think words could really describe how I was feeling,” Caruso said.
“The feeling of knowing that I was going to play for Vic Metro was really amazing.”
The 18-year-old was the recipient of the Alicia Eva Coaches Award at the end of the Cannons’ season and she continues to excel in her career.
With her experience at the representative level, Caruso has been able to help the young girls who have joined the Keilor side this year.
“The Keilor team have been outstanding,” she said.
Although Caruso has played limited games, she still enjoys pulling on the red, blue and white jumper for the Blues when she can.
Now that she’s been able to help others, Caruso is looking forward to applying the advice that she has been given into her own game.
“Everything that I learnt from the Cannons can be put into Vic Metro,” she said.
Of course, Caruso isn’t the only EDFL representative in the Vic Metro side.
She is thrilled about the inclusion of many other EDFL players, and friends, in the line-up.
“It’s amazing knowing that I have other girls from the EDFL there,” the 18-year-old said.
“We can encourage each other in the games.”
With the competition being named after the AFLW, it puts Caruso and the other EDFL representatives in contention of being drafted at the year’s end.
“Seeing that there’s a pathway for females in football makes me have a goal,” Caruso said.
Vic Metro suffered their first ever loss against Vic Country on the weekend, but Caruso is confident that her side can bounce back.
“We’ll just go to training, work on our skills and go from there,” she said.
Even though it was a tough loss, Caruso’s team mates and the EDFL’s own Georgia Patrikios and Maddy Prespakis were among the best for Vic Metro.
Vic Metro faces Western Australia on July 10, and will be seeking redemption after its loss at Simonds Stadium.
Expect Lauren Caruso to shine not only in the next match, but throughout the AFLW U18 competition... and possibly in Richmond colours in the AFLW further down the track.
