Monique Conti - Richmond Football Club - Sherrin x AFLW Q&A

1. Can you share with us your earliest memory of a Sherrin?

My earliest memory of a Sherrin would have to be kicking the footy around with my Dad and brother at the end of an AFL North Melbourne game when we were allowed to go on the ground!

2. We know you played junior footy; can you tell us a little bit about your journey and what it was like to play footy at such a young age?

My journey with footy started when I was about 9-10 years old. I started playing with the boys down at Essendon Doutta Stars because some of my primary school mates played there. I fell in love with the game and loved competing with the boys despite being the only girl in the league at the time. Wanting to beat and be better than the boys at that age drove my competitive nature. I was always made fun of and told I couldn’t play because I was a girl and that I only ever got umpires votes because I had pink on my boots not because I was skilled.

I reached 14 years old and had got told I couldn’t play with the boys any more so found an 18 and under youth girls team – Melbourne Uni. I didn’t know there was a girls league out there! Before I started there, I played School Sport Victoria (SSV) 16 and under, at only 12 years old, which was my first experience with other girls. I loved it and started playing at Melbourne Uni but it was difficult because not many girls turned up or took footy as seriously as they do now. It was a good experience for myself and helped me grow as a person, as I was able to teach some skills to most of my teammates.

I went on to play Calder Cannons, while juggling representative and state basketball, Vic teams and then was selected for the NAB AFLW Academy and got selected in the NAB AFLW Draft at pick #4 to the Western Bulldogs. I was so happy to get drafted and to a great club. My first season, we won the Premiership, and I was fortunate enough to win Best on Ground (B.O.G) which topped off one of the most memorable moments of my career to date.

It is crazy to think it all started with running around after my brother at the park practicing my kicking with my Dad, to running amuck with the boys up until 14 and to getting drafted and playing professional in the AFLW. I think I was one of the few who were able to pick up that Sherrin at such a young age and pursue a sport I love and continue to do so.

3. When you first picked up a Sherrin all those years ago, did you ever see yourself playing AFL professionally, or as a Best and Fairest Winner?

I did not see myself playing AFLW professionally, as when I was growing up as there was no women’s league, just VFLW. I was lucky enough to be the age where I could get drafted in season 2.0 and go on to win a premiership with a great club with some incredible athletes as teammates, now playing for another amazing club – Richmond - and taking home a couple of Best and Fairest’s. I did not expect those, but I do try and work extremely hard in juggling both my basketball and football to be the best athlete I can and do anything I can to improve my own game but also those around me and do what I can to help the team to win.

4. You also play basketball professionally in the WNBL, how did you manage to train and fineness your skills in both sports to get to a professional level in both leagues? What’s your motivation?

Yes, I do play WNBL as well as AFLW. I have been transitioning from one to the other for a lot of years, professionally for 4 years now. It is very difficult, but I think the more I do it the better it gets. I just have to make sure I’m managing my body well and communicating across both codes, as I am usually playing WNBL whilst training for AFLW. Both codes complement each other as well which helps with going from the round ball to the Sherrin.

5. What is it about footy that keep you wanting to play year after year?

What keeps me playing footy is probably to comradery. I love team sports and playing for your teammates. It’s more than a game and the connection and friendships and life skills you build along the way are very special. I also love the competitive nature as I’m extremely competitive, always have been.

6. You started your career with the Bulldogs and achieved a premiership in the first year, can you tell us what this felt like and any amazing memories you can share in the lead up to the Grand Final?

That year was probably one of my favourite football memories. It was a tough year but the group we had were well connected and we were all on the same path striving for the same goal, which was important. Having an AFLW premiership to share with an amazing group of female athletes is unreal and something I’ll forever cherish.

7. You’ve made the switch to Richmond Football Club and was named the clubs Best and Fairest in 2020, how did you stay motivated during a challenging year?

Changing clubs isn’t what I planned to do, but Richmond seemed to be a great fit for me, also with regards to helping me become the best athlete I can be not just a footballer which is very important being a dual athlete. They are extremely supportive with my goals in both codes, as were the Bulldogs. It’s a very professional environment and like a big family down at Punt Road. Winning a Best and Fairest for both clubs is a bit different but a nice personal achievement that I definitely couldn’t have received without the teammates and coaching staff and support surrounding me.

Staying motivated was indeed hard but I tried to think about how to not fall behind the 8-ball and keep myself busy, it was difficult, but I just reminded myself why I started and remembered my goals and that kept me motivated.

8. The AFLW Season is around corner, how have you prepared for the ‘new’ season and what has changed for you as a result of COVID?

We are well prepared and ready to tackle the challenged of the new season especially with the extra rules and COVID in the picture.

Personally, I’m still getting into my mojo transitioning from the WNBL season and getting my hands used the Sherrin again, but as a team we have focused on some areas of improvement and also what we are good at and are really focused on playing our way, and our brand of football to prep us for the 2021 season.

9. What team or player do you think is the one to watch this year?

I think Richmond are the team to watch this season because we have improved a whole lot in comparison to last year and have added experience and some very talented ‘team’ players into our group and I just know we will catch a lot of teams by surprise this season, so watch out!

10. You walked through the Sherrin factory today, how was it seeing the Sherrin being made from start to finish?

It’s simply amazing watching how a Sherrin is made from scratch. The different stations and the amount of effort put into just one Sherrin is unbelievable. It makes you realise how special it is to kick one around the field and not necessarily take it for granted. Also seeing the process involves a human at every stage was also quite special.

11. What would you tell young girls and boys who want to pursue a career playing AFL and/or AFLW?

I would tell them to just go for it. If you have a goal, work hard to reach it but don’t stop there, keep pushing and finding out what you enjoy and keep at it.

An important message I would give would be, if you want to play more than one sport, go do it. If you are great at two sports don’t let anyone tell you to choose, if you’re good at it do it, if you love it do it, no reason to stop one, keep at it. Personally, I like to inspire the younger generation to pursue both codes whatever that may be and hopefully they see myself doing so and think “I can do that to!” 

12. Lastly, can you share with us your favourite Sherrin memory?

My favourite Sherrin memory would have to be all those years ago kicking the footy with my Dad on the ground after an AFL match, those are the moments you cherish and remember forever.

 

Monique Conti x Sherrin

Monique Conti x Sherrin factory

Monique Conti

Monique Conti - Richmond Tigers

Monique Conti