By Jed Lanyon
Three sisters ran out onto the field to play footy together for the first time ever when they lined up for Healesville’s senior women’s team.
Emerson, Alex and Gabby Woods all put on the bloods’ guernsey on Sunday 20 June when Helaesville faced Beaconsfield.
Despite all having strong sporting backgrounds, the trio were yet to have the opportunity to play the game they love together, until now.
“It was pretty cool to all run out together,” Gabby said.
“It was good to be able to just chuck on a jumper and all go out for a run together,” Alex said. “When the team was uploaded, Gabby was starting on a wing, Emerson was in the midfield and I was a forward.
“In terms of our natural positions, we’re all different, which is good because we don’t get in each other’s way,” Alex joked. “At three quarter time, the magnets got moved and we were all put in the forward line together for a 15 minute stint.”
And as the three Woods sisters played alongside each other in the forward line, their teammates were quick to nickname the trio, ‘The Forest’.
Alex kicked a goal in the third quarter of the match as the Bloods went down by two points to the Eagles.
“I ran straight down and celebrated with her,” Gabby said.
“Emerson, apparently, couldn’t be bothered to walk down to give me a high five,” Alex joked.
The game marked the return of community sports, but spectators were restricted as crowds were locked out of local grounds.
“It was a bit funny with no crowd there,” Alex said. “At first, dad was a bit bummed he couldn’t go, but he ended up filling a role as the umpire’s escort and mum was able to watch as she drove Gabby up because she’s underage.”
“If there’s an opportunity for us to play with each other again, it’ll be good. Hopefully The Forest can stay around for a little bit.”
The three sisters have a strong connection with local footy and are leaders in the sport that has grown rapidly across the region in recent years.
Emerson achieved a lifelong dream when she was drafted to Carlton in 2018, making her debut against Collingwood in Round 5 the next season, but wasn’t offered a contract after the 2019 season.
Alex has been with Healesville’s seniors since its inception, where she played in the team’s undefeated premiership season. She recently moved on from a role as the Eastern Ranges Girls team manager.
Gabby, who usually plays for Mt Evelyn’s U17s team, is currently playing for the Eastern Ranges in the AFLW pathway system where she played eight games and featured in the club’s recent finals campaign.
All three are connected through AFL Outer East’s Interleague team, where Gabby is a player, Alex is the team manager and Emerson is an assistant coach.
Gabby said it makes for an interesting dynamic where she makes sure to keep on her sisters’ good side in the interleague program.
“I kind of try not to be annoying because when you get home, there’ll be some tension in the air.
“It’s good to have Em’s football knowledge having played at a higher level and Alex is the brains behind it all on game days. I just go to her and listen, it’s really good actually.”
