Crows AFL Women’s recruits Monique Hollick and Sarah Allan will carry on family tradition by donning the numbers worn by their footballing fathers.
Hollick was quick to snap up the No.18 worn by her dad Greg in 33 of his 38 VFL games for Richmond in the early 1970s. Greg also played for SANFL club West Adelaide.
Hollick, 26, grew up kicking the footy in the backyard with her father and brother, but only started playing the game this year. The Satellite Engineer is a former West Australian state champion middle-distance runner and WAFL boundary umpire.
Allan is a two-time Youth Girls All Australian and represented South Australia at senior level this year. The 19-year-old, key-position prospect is the daughter of former Central District SANFL player Keith Allan.
Keith played 69 games for the Bulldogs between 1987 and 1992, wearing the number 39.
Sarah, who has previously worn No.39 for Salisbury, said she was rapt to be pulling on the jumper again in next year’s AFL Women’s competition.
“It’s to thank my Dad as well for everything he’s done for me. He’s a big part of why I’m playing football and why our family is involved in the sport,” Allan said.
“We got to choose our numbers at Salisbury. I didn’t tell Dad which number I’d picked and then in the first game that he came out and watched I was wearing No.39.
“He didn’t really say anything about it, but I think he secretly loved it!”
Northern Territory recruit Jasmine Anderson will also honour her father. Sadly, Anderson’s father David passed away in 2012.
“I picked No.12 because my Dad was born on the 12th of May,” Anderson said.
“Having number 12 would make it feels as though he is always there to support and guide me.”
Basketballer Erin Phillips has taken the No.13, which she has worn for the Australian Opals and also the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.
Kellie Gibson, who has the No.2 tattooed on her wrist, will wear her favourite number. Fellow marquee signing Chelsea Randall has chosen the No.26, which she’s worn at state level for WA and in AFL exhibition games.
Ange Foley retains her No.3 – an old soccer number she has also worn in football games since moving to the NT. Sophie Armistead, who has worn the No.16 her entire footy career, also keeps her number.
Forward Abbey Holmes will run out in the No.1, symbolising the start of a new era for the Crows and women’s football.
Full player bios
Crows Women’s Playing Numbers
1. Abbey Holmes
2. Kellie Gibson
3. Angela Foley
4. Georgia Bevan
5. Jenna McCormick
6. Talia Radan
7. Rachael Killian
8. Sally Riley
9. Deni Varnhagen
10. Ebony Marinoff
11. Rhiannon Metcalfe
12. Jasmine Anderson
13. Erin Phillips
14. Stevie-Lee Thompson
15. Tayla Thorn
16. Sophie Armitstead
17. Jessica Sedunary
18. Monique Hollick
19. Heather Anderson
21. Lauren O’Shea
22. Courtney Cramey
23. Justine Mules
26. Chelsea Randall
28. Sarah Perkins
31. Dayna Cox
33. Anne Hatchard
39. Sarah Allan
