By Tyler Wright
Olinda Auskicker Grace Fernando received a three-day grand final experience after being nominated as one of 23 contenders for this year’s NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year award.
Grace received grand final tickets for herself and a parent, and will present a premiership medallion during the presentation ceremony.
Grace’s dad, Ross Fernando, said Grace loves playing mini-games with her friends at Auskick and going to the footy to watch her team the Melbourne Demons.
“She wanted to learn how to play footy better, and she liked playing footy in the backyard with her family so thought Auskick would be lots of fun,” Ross said.
Grace’s favourite moment on the football field has been playing for the Olinda youngbloods with her friends in the Auskick Under 9 footy carnival at Woori Yallock.
Memorable moments for Grace this year have including kicking a goal in the last youngbloods mini game, and playing in the half time Auskick game during the Melbourne vs Essendon match at the MCG.
Each week, an Auskick centre in Australia hands out star of the week awards, which comes with an opportunity to enter the Auskicker of the year competition.
For Grace’s entry, she recorded a short video stating she has learned how to mark and kick this year, and said she should win Auskicker of the Year because she “loves footy” and wanted to see the Demons take out the grand final.
The NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year, Archie Stockdale, was announced at the Brownlow Medal ceremony on Sunday 18 September.
