North Melbourne’s Ruby Tripodi still pinches herself that she gets to run out each week with some of the best players in the AFLW.
Tripodi has established herself in a Kangaroos midfield with the likes of Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner.
Speaking ahead of the Kangaroos first practice match with Essendon, Tripodi said everyone was ready to get things underway as they look to defend their title.
“It’s been really good,” she said. “Obviously last year was unreal.
“We had such a great year, quite a mature group, the way our coach Darren Crocker has been with us this pre-season acknowledged the premiership last year but this year is a new story and new chapter.
“We are very focused on the future and the opportunity ahead. It’s been a good pre-season and everyone’s very keen to get into some games with match sim and practice matches the next couple of weeks.”
Tripodi said says she is still in awe with the players she gets to play with.
One of the younger players in the side, she’s keen to take in everything that she can.
“I think I still have so much to learn,” she said.
“I’m so fortunate, especially to be in the midfield with the people we have in there, Jas Garner, Ash Riddell, Mia King and ruck Kim Rennie.
“They’re all so hard working and talented people, I feel like there is so much to learn from them.
“I do feel I’m learning so much as a midfielder and there is still so much to go hopefully.
“We’ve had a really good pre-season, made some great strides and worked really hard, hopefully we can do that when it comes to games.”
The Kangaroos played at Werribee on Saturday and for a girl from the west, Tripodi said it would be a special occasion.
“It’s nice getting into the community of Wyndham, personally I’ve grown up in Williamstown and I still live in Williamstown at the moment,” she said. “It’s very special to play out in the west.
“It’s such a growing population out there in Wyndham. I think we’re really fortunate to have such an opportunity to build a relationship and we’ve got some things in place with our next generation academy and VFLW program having the connection with the Werribee Football Club.
“We want to be able to support young kids coming through the opportunity to play AFL and AFLW.
“As a club we want to do everything that we can to support footy at the grassroots.”
Tripodi played at Williamstown CYMS before joining Williamstown in the Victorian Football League women’s competition before being drafted.
In June, the CYs announced that they had introduced the Ruby Tripodi Medal for the club’s best-first year women’s player.
Tripodi said it still feels weird to have a medal named after her.
“I’m absolutely honoured,” she said. “They are so lovely and they are such a supportive club and I was honestly not expecting that at all.
“They have been an amazing support to me, definitely would not be in that position without them.”
