By JARROD POTTER
THERE has been no greater honour in Lauren Hojnacki’s Youth Girls journey than pulling on the Vic Metro jumper and proudly representing her state.
So you can only imagine just how much it means to the 18-year-old from Berwick to also be appointed that side’s co-captain.
Leading her state is the apex of her football achievements so far in a long-and-successful Youth Girls career and she can’t wait to lead the side out against the rest of Australia.
“I was pretty stoked to get the good news,” Hojnacki said.
“I was a bit shocked – I didn’t expect it at all – and to be called to head up the leadership group for the first time was a big achievement as well because I was so happy to get into the team again for the third year.
“Even more stoked to get to lead out the girls.”
There’s only one objective from the campaign for Hojnacki – regaining the national championship that was lost last year to West Australia.
“Definitely to get the win and have that experience now that I know what it’s like and know what I have to do to make sure the team comes out on top again and become national champions,” Hojnacki said.
“Hopefully I’ll be a ruck slash key forward maybe even key back – but I do love playing centre-half forward to centre-half back as much as possible.”
The Beaconsfield Junior Football Club’s star utility is also part of the Dandenong Stingrays Youth Girls Academy.
She has one hope for the final year of a highlight-filled Youth Girls career – claiming a three-peat in the South East Juniors Youth Girls competition with her beloved Eagles.
“With all the hard training and hard work we’ve gone through in pre-season, getting to know each other and all the new girls – we definitely deserve it as we’ve definitely bonded well as a group, better than we have last year, and it’s showing on the field,” Hojnacki said.
Hojnacki and the Vic Metro side head to Mandurah, Western Australia, this weekend with the championships running from 4-9 May.
She wanted to thank her parents for their unwavering support.
