Former premier ready to bolster Towners return to finals

JUST a few female teams have earned the right to call themselves AFL Barwon premiers, and Melinda “Bindi” Murray was lucky enough to be a part of one of them.

Bindi Murray’s previous years at Barwon Heads Football Club ended in a 2018 premiership and a runner-up club Best and Fairest in 2021.

But given her sporting relationship with Newtown and Chilwell women’s coach Simon Cavallo and the location of the club relative to her home in Teesdale, Murray will be a Tonner for season 2022 and a force to be reckoned with in midfield.

“Barwon Heads will always hold a huge part of my heart,” Murray said.

“I have had some amazing coaching and played with some passionate and determined women. It was really hard to make the move to Newtown as I really respected my coach, Josh Bacely.

“I’m excited to see what they bring to the games this year and will always support them.”

Murray lives to run in her favoured ruck-rover position but still considers herself a new student to the game and is keen to continue to learn amidst a team pushing for glory this season.

“Although the move to Newtown is really exciting, I love to challenge myself and I feel so welcomed by the girls and Simon,” Murray said.

“I love the way Newtown play as a team and I look forward to what the season holds for us making new memories, setting new goals, and playing hard.

“I feel like I am still learning a lot and as a player there is so much room for growth, as I only started playing a few years ago at 28.”

The Towners made a run at the premiership last season finishing second behind Geelong Amateurs with seven wins from 11 contests heading into finals, then booking a place in the grand final before the season was abruptly cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions in mid-August.

Newtown and Chilwell will look to return to the big dance as most teams dream of in the lead-up to Round One.

“Of course, everyone is looking for that kind of success,” Murray said.

“I’m lucky to have been in a grand final team the first year I played and that was really exciting.

“At the same time, we will always be looking to have fun and do the best job we can each week and have a good season.”

At the same time, Murray will also aim to be a role model to not only her family at the Eagles, but also to the junior up-and-coming players at the club.

“I love seeing footy grow and develop every year, as the young girls come through” Murray added.

“It will be great for the team and I to set the standard on women’s footy at a club that takes pride in its female junior program.”

AFL Barwon Female Football is slated to return on April 2.