Messent, Macqueen to lead inaugural VAFA Women’s Big V side

Old Trinity VAFA Women’s star, Claire Messent, has been named the first-ever captain of the women’s Big V ahead of Sunday’s inaugural clash against AFL Goldfields.

Messent joined the T’s at the beginning of this year and has established herself as a genuine match-winner and leader, kicking 13 goals and appearing in the best on four occasions. She played a lone hand in the T’s 12-point win over Marcellin in Round 7 of William Buck Premier Women’s, kicking every one of her side’s four goals.

Messent’s ascension as a star of VAFA Women’s is of little surprise after she represented Australia as a Hockeyroo 73 times between 2006 and 2015.  The midfielder was part of the 2013 Oceania Cup-winning team who de-throned the highly-fancied New Zealand side.

The inaugural vice-captain, and Messent’s right-hand woman on Sunday, will be Ormond’s Kate Macqueen.

In her eight games of VAFA Women’s, Macqueen has starred for the Monders, appearing in the best seven times; including, four best-on-ground performances and six goals.

The key position gun started playing Australian Rules football when she was 16 and was a part of the AFL Victoria Metro representative side in 2010.

Prior to joining the VAFA in its inaugural year of women’s football, Macqueen played 51 games in the VWFL for Melbourne University and Endeavour Hills, kicking 45 goals.

In 2010, she played 16 games for East Malvern Junior Football Club in AFL Victoria Youth Girls and booted 67 goals; including, 11 in one match.

The VAFA Women’s Big V side will face off with AFL Goldfields at Mars Stadium, North Ballarat on Sunday from 10:15am.