Kuwarna AFLW defender Zoe Prowse thrives off pressure-filled situations - both on and off the field.
Prowse, who is in her first year of studying paramedicine has quickly become a mainstay in the side’s defence, averaging 4.8 contested possessions, and 5.7 intercepts across nine matches.
The pressure is, however, coming in thick and fast for Prowse and her teammates ahead of their Week 10 match against Geelong this Friday night, with a win securing a top-four finish.
“I’d say I do thrive off it a little bit, I do like the pressure,” Prowse told AFC Media.
“As a defender I do feel it during one-v-ones, but I do like it and I think it creates good games and good energy.
“As a team, we are pretty excited, we know the pressure that’s on us, but we are using that as fuel to drive us.”
Prowse’s strong on-field form follows on from last season, after the defender stepped up in the absence of now Co-Captain Sarah Allan who missed a chunk of the year due to injury.
Not wanting to rest on her laurels, Prowse said she put in the work during the pre-season to continue to match it with the best in the competition.
“For me, I have tried to work on skills, like my kick was something I really wanted to work on,” Prowse said.
“I moved in with (Co-Captain) Ebony Marinoff and she has really helped me with all those little things, like the extra skill sessions, strength sessions in the gym, and really just continuing to develop my game.
“The amount of effort and work she puts into what she does is something I’ve definitely watched closely and I’ve taken a few pages out of her book with it.
“She is the ultimate, elite athlete, so I really just try and develop my game like she does.”
Prowse was in her first year at the Club when Kuwarna claimed its third Premiership in Season Six (2022) but didn’t play in the Grand Final.
She said winning a flag would mean everything.
“We put in all this hard work every year, we were close last year but not quite there,” Prowse said.
“The ultimate success is the reason why we play, so it would just be an incredible thing for me.”
Kuwarna takes on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium this Friday at 6.45pm (ACDT).
The match will be broadcast live on 7two (Adelaide), Kayo and Fox Footy from 6.30pm.
