Out and about with Olivia Purcell

Olivia Purcell loves having the chance to show her skills with the Geelong Cats in the team’s debut AFLW season.

The Geelong-born footballer and 2018 Geelong Falcons best and fairest winner has an extraordinary list of achievements at junior level, including multiple selections in the TAC Cup Team of the Year and the All-Australian team.

After winning the 2018 TAC Cup premiership with the Falcons, Olivia helped the Geelong VFLW team progress to the VFLW grand final and was named among the Cats’ best players, and was drafted by the club’s AFLW side soon after. She spoke to My Coastal Home during a break from training at GMHBA Stadium.

Born
I was born in Geelong but I moved to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland when I was about three. I went to primary school there for a few years, and then the family came back. I live in Barwon Heads now.

Family
I’m the fourth of five sisters. Louise is a writer and a travel consultant, Maddy works for Cotton On, Georgia works at Waurn Ponds Estate, and the youngest, Grace is in Year 9.

Getting into footy
When I was 15, at Sacred Heart, I played school footy, and then played a couple of years at Newtown and Chilwell. My home club is St Mary’s, so once they got a girls’ team, I went and played there.

On being drafted
I just enjoyed footy more the first two years, but in about 2017 I got more serious about it because the next year was my draft year. I just didn’t know what to believe about being drafted until it actually happened – when my name was called out, I was like “Oh, it is actually happening”.

On her team-mates
It’s been so much fun. My family have said I’ve already spent so much time here (at GMHBA Stadium) that this could be
my first home. I love all my team-mates – it’s like having another extended family – and the coaches and all the staff, it’s such a good environment to be in.

On her footballing future
As a footballer, I’m trying to make the most out of it and be in the moment because you never know when your time’s going to be up – coming in to every training session and every chance I’m in here, using my coaches, using the facilities and being professional.

On the future of AFLW
There’ll be 14 teams next year, and only four more teams to fill in, but I’d love to play against every team and have a proper finals series. Obviously, everyone’s goal is for it to be full-time. I’m open for any ideas at the moment, because AFLW is so fresh.

Travelling
In 2015 I went overseas three times – Fiji, America, and Hawaii. That was a big year! America was just for basketball, Fiji was a netball trip and Hawaii was just one I always wanted to do. I’m thinking of going to Samoa next.

Music
I play the drums, and Louise plays the guitar and sings – she’s trying to convince me to join a band with her. We just love going to as many gigs and music concerts as we can. We went to Ms. Lauryn Hill (pictured) on Wednesday night at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl; she was really good, and Nas played before her. That would have been one of my favourite gigs. I liked Bruce Springsteen and Elton John; they were good ones, too. I have very broad tastes in music. I’ve got a record player and Nana’s given me a few records to listen to, but I’ve just got a new car so maybe I’ll buy some CDs.

Watching other sports
I just love American sport, like the NBA and NFL – I like New England, and my favourite athlete is Tom Brady (pictured); he’s pretty cool. I like watching documentaries about sport. I went to America for a basketball trip, and we didn’t watch the Patriots because we were in Dallas, but we went to see the Dallas Cowboys; that was cool. I like the energy and that the players can show their personalities, it’s entertaining.

Family and friends
It’s fun being in a family of five sisters. We’re all pretty competitive, though. There’s a lot of dancing happening.

Surfing
I love surfing just at home at 13th Beach but I also love going to Queensland and surfing all the beaches up there, it’s
nice. I’ve been surfing most of my life, as I’ve been living by the water. I just have fun – I go all the time with my dad and
sister, I try to go every time if it’s good surf; Dad always just gets us out of bed. Good way to start the day, anyway.