Mention football to Maeve Tupper and her eyes light up.
The 16-year-old epitomises the boom in female football in recent years.
Introduced to the game by her older sister, Aisling, Maeve has become a footy fanatic.
"I love the game itself and I love the social aspect of it as well,'' Maeve said.
"Playing footy always makes me happy and I'm always keen for the weekend, so I can play."
Maeve plays the game well.
On Saturday she'll start her second season with the Bendigo Pioneers under-18s in the round one NAB League clash with Greater Western Victoria Rebels at Craigieburn.
Pioneers' coach Shawn McCormick said Maeve worked tirelessly on her football.
"Don't let her lack of size fool you, Maeve has a massive motor,'' McCormick said.
"Her kicking has improved dramatically and she just has a habit of getting to the right spots and finding the footy."
Maeve will be a key player in a midfield group that includes captain Eloise Gretgrix from Wycheproof.
After four months of pre-season training and an impressive trial game win over the Murray Bushrangers a fortnight ago, Maeve said the vibe around the Pioneers' playing group was strong.
"Even though we're from so many different places, we come together at training and we share our love for football,'' she said.
"It's such a great atmosphere there and it's a great place to be."
Maeve, who plays local footy with Strathfieldsaye, said the atmosphere was driven by McCormick.
"Shawn has had such a good upbringing in footy, and he likes to tell us all about it, too,'' she said with a chuckle.
"Shawn is always willing to help everyone and he has been awesome for the Pioneers girls."
With her sister Aisling Tupper playing in the VFLW competition and AFLW growing each year, Maeve doesn't have to look far for inspiration when it comes to her footy.
"Girls footy was never appreciated as much it is today, so seeing what I could potentially do makes me work 100 times harder because I know there is opportunities there," she said.
The NAB League is the new name for the TAC Cup. Saturday's round one game at Craigirburn starts at 11am.
BENDIGO PIONEERS
B: 25. K. Hazlett, 36. K. Douglass, 49. C. McGillivray
HB: 46. K. Mitchell, 40. T. Slender, 41. E. Peacock
C: 3. E. Snell, 28. E. Gretgrix, 1. M. Tupper
HF: 14. A. Strahan, 30. H. Stewart, 20. D. Villiva
F: 50. M. Barton, 44. J. Jolliffe, 9. T. Miaoudis
R: 24. S. Oliver, 19. J. Finning, 4. B. Hards
Int: 22. G. Barton, 8. T. Coad, 48. D. Kelly-Guthrie, 37. G. Sladden
GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS
B: 12. V. Jewell, 27. G. Pidgeon, 16. L. Sykes
HB: 5. N. Butler, 30. N. Dojiok, 19. C. Summers
C: 32. I. Simmons, 24. S. Molan, 3. A. Trigg
HF: 1. L. Condon, 34. K. Harris, 11. L. Donegan
F: 6. M. Ciavarella, 23. I. Rustman, 9. R. Saulitis
R: 35. M. Caris, 10. E. Wood, 15. C. Leonard
Int: 14. G. Douhadji, 28. I. Robson, 13. B. Thompson, 4. K. Tomkins
Emg: 25. G. Henderson, 21. A. Stevens
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