Tara Murray
Playing AFLW is the dream for Krystal Russell, but the biggest moment of the Yarraville Seddon footballer’s life might have already happened.
A star in the ruck for the Western Jets in the NAB League Girls competition, Russell was the hero in the club’s first grand final win.
A goal in the final seconds of the game, sealed the match and title for the girls from the west.
“The first ever goal in my life, in a grand final and to win the game, that’s crazy,” she said.
“It’s still crazy and I’ve watched back the vision so many times, it’s still unbelievable that I kicked it.
“I see it from a third person perspective and I don’t really think it’s me still. I got to keep the ball… I’ll get all the girls from my club to sign it. It’s a good little memory.”
For Russell, the goal capped off a season of growth with the Jets, where she became one of the top rucks in the competition.
While many of her teammates had been in the Jets system for a number of years, it was only her second season.
“It has been a great season,” she said.
“It’s been a good experience, a two year experience so far. Learning from all the girls has been so great, to talk to all the girls and see how they’re going.”
Russell didn’t have much time to rest after the NAB League season as she went straight into the Vic Metro set up for the national championships.
She said it had been a pretty crazy time.
“I hadn’t had an actual break,” she said. “I went from the Jets to the grand final and then straight to metro and now my local season.
“It’s something that I love, so I’m not fussed about it.”
Russell said she had stepped up her game, but knows there’s still plenty of run for improvement.
She said fundamentals such as running, her strength and mentality were things she was looking forward to.
For the 17-year-old, if she thinks her football season has been crazy, it could get even crazier.
Russell was among those invited to the AFLW draft combine testing, after impressing AFL recruiters.
While she was unable to test due to being unwell, it was still a massive moment.
“I had been training prior to my cold… but I haven’t been able to step foot out of my house let along run a 2km,” she said at the combine.
“It’s crazy how people I don’t know know about me, things people say about me and how I’ve been going, and the recognition, shows hard work has paid off
It’s exciting, very nerve-wracking things could change so dramatically in the next month or so, we’ll wait and see what comes.”
The AFLW draft is being held on June 29.
Russell said she would continue to work hard and be in the best possible shape for what happens next.
