Tara Murray
Northern Knights’ Maeve Chaplin’s confidence in her football ability has grown throughout the years as she eyes a spot on an AFLW list.
Having played football since she was seven, Chaplin set her sights on an AFLW career when the competition was announced.
“I’ve been playing footy since I was seven and I always wanted to get to that level,” she said.
“I remember the AFLW was announced and I was so excited and I was like, I need to play in it.
“I find the older I get the more the dream becomes more realistic.
“Last year I did have a bit of doubt and then I got into the AFLW Acadmey, it was a massive confidence booster for myself. I knew then I could potentially get drafted and I had to work my hardest to achieve it.”
With the draft approaching, Chaplin said the nerves were starting to set in. But there’s also a bit of excitement.
“It’s really exciting and the opportunities that can come out of it are really exciting,” she said.
“To see where it can take me, I’m pretty excited for it.”
“It’s definitely an odd situation but it has come up really quick.”
Chaplin, a key player for the Knights the past three years, said having the season cut short after three games was disappointing.
She said it wasn’t only the football she missed.
“At the Knights especially, it’s a really good team and I’m close with a lot of the girls that play and it’s hard not seeing them,” she said.
“My footy friends, we just click and just get along. I miss playing footy a lot, it’s a good outlet.”
Chaplin played well in the first two games of the season, before an injury ruled her out of the second half of the third game.
She said that she felt like she was on track for a strong season.
“I was probably going to have one of my best seasons being a top ager and having that confidence behind me, that it is my draft year and I have to play my best to reach my end goal.”
Chaplin said it was sad that her time at the Knights was over, but knows there are new opportunities out there.
She said the culture was one thing that she would take out of her time at the club.
“Probably apart from being yourself and accepting whoever you are, to get where you want to be you have to work hard is a big thing.
“That’s a big thing with the Knights, I have to be working hard.
“And making sure the culture is right and making sure everyone gets along is a big thing that I take out of it.”
Chaplin said she had tried to train as much as possible, as she also juggles year 12 studies.
As well as her Knights commitments this year, Chaplin got to spend time with the best players in her age group as part of the AFLW Academy.
“It’s such a high level of footy and a lot of the girls are so talented,” she said. “It was really good to be around that sort of talent and pushing yourself to keep up with everyone.
“The coaches there are so dedicated to what they do and are really good role models. They show how to work hard.”
Chaplin was named for the AFLW state combine in another sign that she’s on the radar of AFLW clubs.
While the Victorians won’t get to test due to COVID-19, Chaplin has spoken with several clubs.
“It’s pretty surreal that it is all happening,” she said.
“I was ecstatic that clubs were interested in me at all, it came as a bit of a shock to me. I was not expecting it.
“It’s been a good experience for myself to mature and everything and help me if I get to that next level.
“It was good to get more confidence. It’s all coming together now and it’s all soon.”
The AFLW draft is being held on October 6. To see who has been drafted, head to www.starweekly.com.au
