Skipper hits 50 game milestone in vital match | VFLW Team Selection
By Borough Media on June 23, 2023
VFLW v Essendon
WHEN: Sunday 25 June | 11:30am
WHERE: ETU Stadium
TICKETS: Free entry
COVERAGE: Watch live via the VFL Official App / www.afl.com.au/vflw
With only two home and away matches remaining in the season, the Borough will look to finish the season off strongly. This Sunday Essendon will travel to ETU Stadium to take on Port Melbourne in a vital game for both sides. With only 4 points separating 1st – 7th on the ladder (top 6 finals) every win is crucial to secure a finals birth.
Senior players Courteney Bromage and Olivia Barton will make their way back into the side this week after a small stint on the sidelines due to injury. 19-year-old Richmond AFLW player Charley Ryan will make her VFLW debut and play her first game back after an ACL injury, lining up in the midfield.
Claire Dyett will play her 50th VFLW match in round 13. The skipper played 15 games for the Hawthorn Football Club (now Box Hill Hawks) over two seasons in 2018 and 2019 before rupturing her ACL at the end of 2019. After a year of rehab in 2020, Dyett decided to make the move to Port Melbourne at the end of 2020 and has since played 35 games for the club. Dyett played her first proper season of footy with the Vermont Eagles in 2016 as an 18-year-old in their inaugural U/18’s side, finishing off the year as the Best and Fairest before transitioning into senior women’s footy in 2017 for Whitehorse Colts (now Pioneers).
“I am really proud to be playing my fiftieth VFLW match this weekend. I am so thankful for the incredible people that have helped me get to where I am, I am all the better for having these people in my life. The Port Melbourne Football Club is like home to me now and it’s been a massive opportunity to lead the team out, week in week out. I have learned a lot about myself and am so excited to continue to grow and inspire others,” says Claire Dyett.
In the inaugural VFLW side in 2021, Dyett was named vice-captain and finished the season as the Best and Fairest. In 2022 she was named co-captain alongside Mel Kuys and continued to drive the team forward through a challenging year for the side, only winning three matches. A well-respected teammate and a natural leader, Dyett was named soul captain for the current season and has taken her side to 8 wins and 4 losses, sitting on top of the ladder with two matches to go.
“The way the team has taken on much adversity over two years, and to now be able to produce the footy we are at the moment is a testament to the group of players, coaches and staff. We’ve got one goal this year and it’s to win the premiership and I wouldn’t want to go through this journey with any other club.”
