AFLW North Melbourne recruit Vikki Wall surveys the MCG ahead of the clash against Melbourne (Picture: NMFCW/Twitter, Design by Will Cuckson)
Since making her debut in Round One in season seven of AFLW, Vikki Wall looms as one of the brightest prospects in the competition. Coming over to Australia as one of the biggest Gaelic football stars for Meath, Wall is only just scratching the surface of what she is capable of with the sherrin.
Winning back to back TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championships with Meath, Wall is a bonafide Gaelic football superstar. Leading Meath to their second title, Wall was also named the Footballer of the Year.
Speaking exclusively to Wall, she explains the significance of the award and her team success back home.
“I think it (the decision to play AFLW) was a mix of things, obviously an individual accolade is always nice but it’s always nicer to get the win as a team,” Wall explained.
“Coming off success back home as well was nice but it was just the lifestyle over here and the challenge, like I said [I like to} challenge myself and try a new sport and kind of see how I’d go is exciting.”
Embed from Getty ImagesHaving significant interest from a number of AFLW clubs, Wall committed to North Melbourne shortly before the championship win. When asked about the decision to chose the Kangaroos she says that the club were an obvious fit.
“I suppose North Melbourne were probably the ones that stood out,” she said.
“I spoke with them and it kind of felt like a good culture and probably something that I’d value quite highly.
“[The decision to play] AFLW in general [was] the chance to play sport semi-professionally and kind of challenge myself and play something new and I suppose the physicality of the game as well.”
When coming from a being a superstar in a different sport it begs the question; what was the appeal of playing Aussie Rules football in another country and what skills translate well from Gaelic football.
“I think there’s that natural aggression, that’s the same as back home,” she explained.
“[We] probably [are] not utilising the physicality as much but then I suppose just using the ball and kicking it and the athleticism of the game as well is definitely transferable.”
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Bursting onto the scene in the first couple of games, Wall has dazzled with her goal sense and agility. Kicking her first goal against the Adelaide Crows in Round Three and then two more in Round Four against Geelong, she is a real live-wire.
Giving some insight into her weaknesses, she explains what she hopes to work on during the rest of the season.
“I definitely hope to get better at the bounce, that’s definitely something I’m still working on,” Wall said.
“I think all the forwards and all of the coaches have been really good and helpful doing one-on-one things and extra sessions [they also answer all] of questions I’d have and more so the positional things I think is the biggest difference.”
Embed from Getty ImagesHer best performance was the match against Geelong where Wall had 10 disposals and kicked two goals. Growing with every game Wall averages 7.3 disposals, 2.8 marks and 3.8 tackles in her four AFLW games to date.
Her bigger body but blistering pace makes her an awkward match-up for her opponents considering her natural agility. With six more games left for the regular season, Wall will be sure to build throughout the season with more time in the AFLW system.
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