Thornlie Junior Football Club has plenty to celebrate after three of its young players stood tall at this year’s awards, proving that the future of local footy is in good hands.
Imogen Buckley, a Year 9/10 player, being named Fairest and Best in the Metro Central female gold division, said it was both a surprising and a proud moment.
“I was really shocked but super proud, it felt amazing to hear my name called and know all the hard work paid off,” she said.
This season was packed with milestones for Imogen, who played her 100th game, led her team as joint captain, and helped organise the club’s NAIDOC round. The celebration included a smoking ceremony and a spirit dance, giving Indigenous players the chance to share their culture with the wider club.
“What I enjoy most about playing footy is being with my mates,” Imogen said. “Some of them I have been playing with since the very beginning. We push each other to get better, support one another, and it is the best feeling running out onto the field side by side.”
Her coach Dean Gittos said Imogen’s recognition was well deserved.
“Imogen’s achievement shows everyone where hard work and determination can provide you. She is fiercely determined to improve herself as a player but more importantly as a leader. Imogen is a fantastic role model,” he said.
Dean said the club was proud to see multiple players performing strongly in the awards count, with co-captain Tasharna Cole finishing third and teammate Mary Powell placing seventh. He added that Thornlie JFC continues to focus on growth, particularly in female football, and is already working to build more girls’ teams from Auskick through to Year 12.
In a similar development, Year 7/8 player Jaliyah Abraham secured back-to-back Association Fairest and Best medals, an achievement her coach Rodney Glossop described as something special.
“Jaliyah is an absolute weapon with incredible skills and ability to win the contested football. She is our spiritual leader and the team all walk a little taller when she is on the field and performing well,” he said.
Jaliyah said her proudest memory was helping her team overcome a rival that had beaten them in last year’s grand final.
“My favourite memory from this season would’ve been the feeling of winning to a rival team that we lost to last year in grand final and probably all the good marks and goals I’ve gotten,” she said.
She added that the passion around the club made it special. “The thing I enjoy most about playing in Thornlie is the energy and passion that everyone has for football and it just feels good to have people around that make me feel happy and comfortable.”
Rodney said Jaliyah’s back-to-back medal reflected her commitment to training and her appetite for success. He added that female football at Thornlie continues to grow.
In the boy’s division, Ayden Stato finished runner up in the Year 7 red division Fairest and Best.
“I was very nervous, and after hearing my name, I was proud of myself getting runner up best and fairest in division 1,” Ayden said. “My team mates having my back and supporting me, always helping each other, great team, great coaches and an incredible club to be proud of. Go Thornlie Lions.”
“It’s an amazing achievement to see one of our players who has been here since Auskick grow and mature into the young man he is becoming. He has gone from strength to strength and if he keeps the right mindset then sky’s the limit,” Coach Trent Bindon said.
Trent added that it was also encouraging to see teammates Max Brady and Connor Twyman polling well, and that the results reflected the strength of the club in its first year of competition in the highest grade.
“The future is looking bright for the Thornlie JFC. We have some exciting years ahead with the passion and commitment shown from our players and it’s a testament to our dedicated coaches and volunteers working directly within their teams and the committee,” he said.
