Tara Murray
Keilor’s Olivia Manfre jumped at the opportunity to return to the Calder Cannons and continue her football development this year.
Having played some solid football in the last few years, Manfre is keen to take her game to the next level and press for higher honours.
“I’m so grateful and honoured to be able to represent the Cannons for one more year as a 19-year-old,” she said.
“The opportunity presented itself and I was keen to come back.
“I started the first half of last year well, but I don’t think I was consistent. Having had that experience under [coach] Ross Smith, I’m keen to come back for another year and improve my footy and have a solid season and see what comes of it.”
Manfre’s leadership has been recognised, named co-captain of the side alongside Reese Sutton.
Manfre said this year’s squad was a young one, but there was plenty of talent among the group.
“There are so many young girls this year, we’re quite a young group,” she said.
“At the Cannons development is the main focus. We’ll work hard and hopefully the wins will come along with that and we’ll be able to show everything we have learned and see how it goes.”
Manfre said the league was very different from when she first started. Having come into the sport as a teenager her game has grown with the sport.
Manfre started with East Keilor before moving to Keilor, with both teams playing in the Essendon District Football League.
“I came from a basketball background,” she said.
“Team sports are in my blood. “
“It’s been a very long journey [at the Cannons]. It’s been so enjoyable to see the progress and it’s good to see the hard work is paying off.
“We’ve started to see the girls who have been playing since they were really young. When we started that wasn’t there, having those players in the league the standard is really high and hopefully that flows onto the AFLW.”
Manfre is set for a big season on the field, as she also aims to play in the Victorian Football League Women’s competition with Essendon.
She said her experiences playing in Keilor women’s side had really helped her adjust to training with the Bombers. Manfre won the EDFL premier division goal kicking in 2021, with 19 goals.
“I’ve learnt so much throughout the pre-season,” she said of Essendon.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to take everything back to the NAB League.”
As well as aiming to play VFLW, Manfre has her eyes set on playing Vic Metro. Ultimately, she would love to play AFLW in the future.
“Metro and getting drafted are the goals I’ve set for myself,” she said.
“Hopefully I can play some consistent football and get there.”
