Kara Donnellan’s Australian Rules football career continues to go from strength to strength. Picture: Meagan Rogers.By Marc McGowan
CASEY may just be home to Australia’s most promising teenage Australian Rules football talent.
Berwick midfielder Kara Donnellan continues to astound onlookers with her skill, tenacity and know-how on the football field.
When discussion turns towards the next big thing in the women’s game, the usual suspects are mentioned, such as Courtney Clarkson, Mariah Marshall, Chantelle Hawkins and Chloe Peers.
Sixteen-year-old Donnellan is always in the mix – if not at the top of the list.
Berwick coach Leeann Gill is in little doubt about Donnellan’s standing in the sport.
“Kara has very, very good skills and, for a footballer of her age, she is very well balanced and really strong through the hips,” she said.
“She has a really good football brain and knows when to hold back and when to go to the ball – those sorts of things.”
Donnellan has enjoyed an unbelievable 12 months as the Youth Girls competition, which began in 2004, has expanded to unprecedented levels.
In the past year, the Warneet resident has represented Victoria at underage level and the South East Footy-Pak league in the inaugural Victorian Youth Girls Championship, and been named in the new Youth Girls Academy.
Donnellan also played on the wing for Victoria Country in its four-point victory over Victoria Metro as the best senior women in the state duked it out at NAB Oval in Preston on Saturday.
After crossing from Narre Warren to Berwick this season, Donnellan has competed mostly at Youth Girls level, but has also had her first taste of the Victorian Women’s Football League in her new club’s senior side.
“The opportunities given to you in women’s football are pretty cool. I used to play guys footy (at Langwarrin) and never knew about girls footy,” the year 11 St Francis Xavier College student said.
“I loved guys footy. They were like my brothers, I suppose, and always had my back. It’s a bit different in girls footy, but I enjoy it just as much.”
With women’s football developing rapidly, Donnellan hopes she can one day participate in a national competition – just like her male counterparts.
The Collingwood fan’s focus now is on making the Victorian underage team again this year before taking aim at her biggest goal yet – All-Australian honours at senior level.
“Footy is my life now – I put everything into it,” Donnellan said.
“I’m hoping to make the All-Australian team if they have one next year and play for the state in seniors.
“One year, I’d also really like to be (Victorian) captain.”
Gill believes the greatest challenge for Donnellan is to not become complacent with what she has achieved to date.
“I’ve actually said this to Kara – one of the things she needs to do if she’s really serious about her football is to focus on getting better,” Gill said.
“When she comes to training, she needs to make sure she’s giving 100 per cent because she can probably give 50 per cent and still do really well.
“Maybe not next year, but in the next couple of years I envisage her playing for Victoria in the senior team.
“Skill-wise she’s good enough, but it may be strength-wise (that might hold her back) due to the fact she’s so young.”
