Name: Madisen Maguire

Nickname: Mads

Favourite footy memory: My favourite memory would have to be my debut match in AFLW. We played up in Freo, so the whole trip and lead-up to the game had such an amazing vibe to it. My parents were flown up and my two younger siblings and my partner and his parents also made the trip up to watch me play. I was presented with my jumper by Renee (Garing) with my family in the rooms with us, which was very special to me. I was also lucky enough to have been on the end of a perfectly set-up handball from Soph (Van De Heuvel) to kick a goal on debut, so that topped it all off. Even though we didn’t quite get the four points, I still won’t forget the experience.

Greatest non-football achievement: My greatest non-football achievement would have to be starting a cleaning business from scratch with my mum and working in it for four years. It would now be being a part director in a new business venture; we’re still in the process of getting started up, but it’s such an exciting new opportunity that I’m excited to be a part of.

Best advice you’ve been given (on or off the field): The best advice I’ve been given has come from many important people to me both on and off the field. To summarise the best advice, it would be to be the best version of yourself you can be and to not compare yourself to others. Every person has their own strengths whether that be on the footy field or outside of the game, and when you play to your strength and just be yourself that is when you’ll exceed and have the most fun. This has helped me to set my own goals and find my own strength and overall has helped me develop over the past few years as a player and as a person.

Teammate you’d like to room with on away trips: I think I’d love to roommate with Georgie Rankin, she’s always such a positive and energetic presence and would bring good vibes in the lead-up to and after a game.

Teammate you’d least like to room with on away trips: I would room with any of my teammates, if I were someone else I’d probably least likely want to room with myself as I can accidentally and unintentionally leave my stuff in a bit of a mess and I can get pretty boring at times too. I don’t think I can think of anyone I wouldn’t want to room with to be honest!

Funniest teammate: I think Aasta (O’Connor) has a really particular sense of humour which I find to be pretty hilarious, when I first met her I thought she was just a bit serious but quickly caught on to how she jokes around. She’s always making a joke during training sometimes at other people’s expense, but I think everyone understands her sense of humour within the club so when you know not to take it to heart that’s when she brings the best humour.

Funniest thing you’ve seen on the footy field: The funniest thing I’ve seen on the footy field happened a few years back. An opposition midfielder set up perfectly in the centre bounce, took off with the ball and kicked it straight on the chest of the CHF. Unfortunately for her it was to our forward line and our tall forward went back and slotted the goal.

Position other than your own you wish you could play: I use to play in the backline throughout my local-level football, and have lined up there a few times for Geelong in the VFLW, so I think if I were to play another position other than up in the forward line I’d like to have another go in the back.

Hidden talent/party trick: The only real unique thing I can think of as a party trick is that I can make my eyebrows dance (something I learnt from Jim Carey in Me, Myself and Irene) – I don’t know how else to explain it but basically just think of the two kids from the Cadbury ad, but slower.

Player from another AFLW team you’d most like to have at the Cats: If I had to pick one player from another team it’d be Chloe Molloy, I think from the get-go she’s been a great asset to her team and is a versatile player who would fit in well anywhere on the field.

Favourite player from another sport: I don’t watch other sports too often, but I’d have to say watching Glenn Maxwell in the Twenty20 cricket would be a favourite of mine.

If you weren’t playing footy, what sport would you like to play: Before I started playing football, I used to play netball growing up, so I think I’d still be playing netball.

Favourite meal the night before a game: I usually go the usual pasta a night before a game, nothing too special.

Favourite movie: Avatar and Deadpool

Favourite TV series: Vikings and The Boys, I would also love to say Game of Thrones, but… Season 8.

Favourite book: My favourite books that I’ve almost completed reading through have been the Throne of Glass novels by Sarah J. Maas, but I enjoy anything in the fantasy genre.

Favourite singer/band: Maroon 5 and Imagine Dragons

Dream holiday destination: I’d love to go to Rome! I would go there just to see the Colosseum.

One thing you’d like people to know about you: I don’t think many of my teammates know this about me either but in my spare time I enjoy a bit of gaming both on the PC and PS4 – it’s a hobby I’ve had since I was very young and have enjoyed ever since.