Football
2 March, 2025
Purchase named as Rebels captain
Last week, Lara Purchase was named the under-16 Greater Western Victoria Rebels captain alongside Ballarat's Macy Irvin. On Saturday, in their first game of the season, they defeated the Murray Bushrangers by six points at Latrobe University Oval in Bundoora, the Northern suburbs of Melbourne.
Purchase plays for the Nhill Football and Netball Club and the Horsham Demons women's football team.
Purchase said that she was informed of the decision last Wednesday, by coach Sally Riley.
"I was putting my bag in the room before training, and Sally approached me and asked if I wanted to be captain this year. I accepted the offer," Purchase said.
"I am incredibly proud to be named captain and excited for this opportunity.
"I have never done anything like being a captain, so I want to bring good vibes to the team, pump them up, and encourage everyone."
"We have three rules: play our role, be a good teammate, and have fun. I look forward to helping everyone."
In Saturday's match, the Rebels led throughout the game. They led by six points at quarter-time, 11 at halftime, and 13 at three-quarter-time before the Bushrangers surged in the last quarter.
The Bushrangers scored three goals to two in that quarter, but the Rebels held on and won 7.6.48 to 6.6.42.
Purchase said everyone played well and that she had fun.
"It was good to captain that first game and I had a lot of fun," Purchase said.
"I was very nervous, but when the game started, I encouraged my teammates on the ground when they did something, like a good kick or tackle. I would always go up to them and encourage them.
"It was a close game in the end and they came back at us but we held on."
Fellow Wimmera footballers Scarlett Abbott and Abbey Wiedermann played well.
Wiedermann played ruck/full forward and spent a stint down back where she limited a dangerous player to a couple of kicks in the last quarter.
Abbott played in the forward pocket, played a good game, and enjoyed singing the song with her teammates afterwards.