By Tara Murray
Northern Knights’ Nell Morris-Dalton has made the most of being able to prioritise her football this season and could find herself on an AFLW list next week.
The key forward, who has been through the pathway system first with the Calder Cannons and then the Knights the past five years, is seen as one of the best forwards in the draft.
Morris-Dalton said being able to focus on football this year, while many others are completing their VCE, has been a big thing for her.
“I did year 12 last year and it kind of allowed me to focus on my studies,” she said.
“With year 12 and footy at the same time, they are kind of both your number one priority.
“For me, this year I could put footy as my number one priority and I think that really helped with my game.
“It allowed more time for pre-season and more time to prepare for games and going into the Vic Metro and allow myself to get into the environment and understand it a bit more.”
The extra work has paid off for Morris-Dalton who was part of the Knights premiership-winning team.
She said the premiership was a perfect way to finish of her time with the Knights.
If she wasn’t already on the draft radar, Morris-Dalton’s preliminary final performance changed that – she had 15 possessions and kicked four goals to help her side to a six-point victory.
“We were so nervous and we weren’t playing well,” she said.
“So in my head I was like, I need to switch on. I think I got a bit of momentum and that really helped, once I got my momentum going, I turned into a bit of an animal, it was pretty crazy.”
Morris-Dalton said being able to be focused in the game was something she had worked on. It’s about focusing on what she can do and not listening to the outside noise.
Straight after the NAB League season finished, Morris-Dalton joined the Vic Metro squad ahead of the National Championships.
It was her first chance to compete at the under-18s championships.
“I was pretty excited to see how I matched up against the best girls in the league and also to play alongside some good talented footballers, it was a fun experience.
“I think I had a pretty strong carnival.”
Morris-Dalton was then given the opportunity to be part of a VFLW squad, spending the rest of the season with the Darebin Falcons.
It took just one game for Morris-Dalton to feel at home against the bigger and older bodies.
“Coming out of NAB League and metro, I think my strength is an asset to my game,” she said.
“I thought my first game against Geelong was good for my confidence and it showed me I can match up against AFL women, that was really great for my game.”
Norris-Dalton spoke highly of her time at the Falcons and said it was the perfect place for her to go after the big year she had had.
Now her focus is on next week’s AFLW draft and what the future might bring.
The 18-year-old said it was made easier by having three of her Knights teammates going through the same process.
She said it’s crazy to think that the AFLW didn’t even exist when she started playing football.
“I started playing football when the girls league opened up,” she said.
“When I started playing, AFLW wasn’t even talked about.
“I’m definitely very excited, I’m excited to see what happens, it’s kind of a bit of anticipation.
“I haven’t been that nervous… I’m just about the moment and enjoying being free for as long as I can.”
