Name: Jessica Dal Pos
Age: 23
Team: GWS Giants
Position: Midfield
Instagram: @jessydal
Originally from: Ivanhoe, Melbourne
What was your personal highlight of this first AFLW season?
Our first victory at home against Melbourne in round five is something I’ll never forget, it was terrible weather, everybody had written us off and we came out and just gave everything. To get a win in front of our dedicated supporter base in the rain was so emotional, the whole club was there to witness it.
How do you feel about being nominated for the Most Courageous Award in AFLW, the All Australian Squad and the GWS Giants MVP?
Everybody who plays team sport at any level will tell you it’s not about individual success – I wholeheartedly agree with that. But to be acknowledged amongst your peers for any sort of award is very exciting – it’s also a great excuse to get out of footy gear and dress up!
How did you start playing Aussie Rules?
My older brother did Ausick, my twin sister did dancing, and both were on a Saturday morning, so I had to pick which one I’d go to – I picked Auskick because they had the best sausage sizzle.
What do you love most about AFL?
The game itself is so challenging, yet it’s such a welcoming sport for every member of the community. It caters for every type of person
What would you say to a woman considering trying AFL for the first time?
Do it! Find a local club, take a friend and get involved. There are many local competitions that cater for any ability or experience level, with great opportunities to also volunteer and get involved in the female football community.
Aussie Rules can be rough! How do you prepare yourself, mentally, for that type of contact?
It’s really about practicing contact in every form at training. There are definitely moments where you have to put your body in vulnerable positions – we’d be lying if we said that wasn’t scary, yet there is also something addictive about being able to commit that to the teammate next to you. When you do cop a knock there’s always someone there to pick you up and have a giggle.
What do you like doing in your downtime?
Any form of outdoor adventure makes me happy, but realistically sleeping and eating take over during most of my time off.
What’s something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have a bachelor in paramedicine.
What would you like to see more of in AFLW’s second season?
More goals, big hits and girls taking risks! We all know defense wins games, but nothing is better to watch than players taking the game on and creating breathtaking moments.
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