CAMPERDOWN'S Casey Willis is relishing the opportunity to improve her craft at a higher level.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The 16-year-old was selected in the 35-player Greater Western Victoria Rebels under 18 girls squad for the 2019 season alongside fellow south-west footballers Lucy Moloney, Renee Saulitis (Warrnambool), Shelby Nolte (Hamilton) and Victoria Jewell (Portland).
Moloney's sister Sarah and Hamilton Kangaroos Mitzi Adamson were also named on the 15-player futures list - the girls equivalent of the under 16s Rebels boys list.
Willis said she was eager to improve her game sense heading into her first season in the under 18 competition.
"I'm hoping to improve gaining better control of the footy and building my footy smarts and patience," the midfielder said.
"We had a practice match against Geelong Faclons on Sunday and I just kept asking questions of how to improve and if I'm doing this and that right and they gave me some feedback."
The year 11 Mercy Regional College student, who changed her local club from South Warrnambool to Colac Imperials, said she was ecstatic to tell her parents the news once she found out her selection.
"It was pretty exciting and I didn't know what to expect," Willis said.
"Making the futures last year and making 18s this year was exciting and when I got the message saying 'congrats' and that I had made it I showed mum (Kylie) and dad (Jason) and they were pretty happy."
Willis said the recent drafting of Rebels quartet Georgia Clarke, Sophie van de Heuvel, Rene Caris (Geelong) and Lauren Butler (Collingwood) gave the new crop of players hope they can make it to the top.
Clarke, van de Heuval and Butler have since gone on to make their AFLW debuts for their respective clubs.
Rhys Cahir will coach the Rebels girls side for a second year, with the first match of the season against Bendigo Pioneers this Saturday.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.