IT'S not every day local female players get to strut their stuff in front of AFLW coaches and scouts.
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And the four teams lucky enough to play curtain raisers before Saturday's GWS Giants-Richmond clash are keen to paint the AFL Southern NSW women's competition in a good light.
North Wagga will look to keep their unbeaten record alive in their maiden campaign against East Wagga Kooringal, before Charles Sturt University and Riverina Lions clash in the battle of the unbeaten teams.
"We're pretty excited to be able to play on Robbo Oval and showcase the local competition in front of the AFLW and potentially some coaches and scouts from that league as well," CSU captain Gabrielle Goldsworthy said.
"It's something that doesn't come around every day. It's great we have some more pathways at the moment but they're still pretty limited, and getting exposure like this, where we don't have to travel five hours is great.
"You never know what comes out of these days. There could be someone that takes their fancy and they give them a call to see if they want to go up.
"Some players have different levels of commitments and can't travel, so to have them actually come here is really important."
Goldsworthy, regarded as one of the competition's best players, says she doesn't harbour any AFLW ambitions while she is studying.
"I've done a few things and know the level of standard and I don't think I'd be at that level unless I was doing it full time," she said.
"But it's heartening to know there's players still playing into their late thirties at the top level, I've got another 20 years."
Saint Sarah Harmer said the biggest task will be adjusting to the far bigger Robertson Oval compared to their Apex Park base.
"I reckon it's double," Harmer said.
"We had the first grade boys train with us on Monday to teach us some tactics on spreading out a bit.
"The boys have a rivalry with them (Hawks) so they're interested to see if that will follow through with us."
SCHEDULE
Friday: Brookdale Bluebells v Griffith at Lockhart Recreation Ground (7.30pm)
Saturday (both games at Robertson Oval): North Wagga v East Wagga Kooringal (1pm); Charles Sturt University v Riverina Lions (1.50pm).
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