For Tess Lyons, footy has always been about mateship and the love of the game which was evident when she was named to make her AFLW debut for the West Coast Eagles this week.

After being mobbed by teammates, Tess was presented with her jumper with tears in her eyes.

The importance of mateship was clear in her brief words to the group “I’m really proud to pull on the jumper… I didn’t want to play AFLW, I wanted to play AFLW with you guys.”

We spoke to Tess this week about her journey from Uni to the big time and what it means to her to have the support of the club.

Where it all began

Like most girls growing up in the 2000s, footy was a boys sport and not an option for women. At school, Tess dipped her toes in the sport with some friends but her motives then were a bit different.

“One of my teachers was the coach, He was pretty desperate for numbers – I think I was hoping if I joined he’d go a bit easier on me in class haha” laughs Tess

It wasn’t until several years later that Tess returned to the field at the University Football Club.

“At the time, most of the Uni Footy Club were also regulars at Avenue (a night club in Claremont), where I was the venue manager, so I knew many of them from there as well.” Tess reminisces.

“ Having known and admired Jmac (James McAuliffe) as the older brother of my good friend Lou, I reached out to him to see if I could join the Uni Women’s 2s. Thankfully, he agreed.”

This decision proved fruitful for James, who watched Tess become a superstar of the side.

Uni Footy Club career

In her first season, Tess immediately made an impact. Starting in the reserves side (The Peacocks), it was obvious that she was a level above the competition and by the end of the season had made her way into the A-grade side (The Stormers).

Despite only playing 8 games, Tess took home the Best and Fairest medal for the Peacocks.

In that 2018 season, Tess forced her way into the Stormers side for finals and was an integral part in the side taking home the inaugural WAAFL (now PFL) Women’s Premiership Flag.

“It’s tough to top the 2018 A-grade premiership, but there are so many great memories from my time at Uni.

“On the field, I had the privilege of playing alongside the best teammates, and off the field, the Saturday nights at the AJ with them were pretty unforgettable.”

Tess went on to play three more seasons at Uni, playing 43 games for the club. Although she didn’t taste premiership success again, her accolades show a period of dominance in the new league:
⁃ 2018 Peacocks B grade Best and Fairest
⁃ 2018 Stormers A grade Premiership
⁃ 2020 Stormers A grade r/u Best and Fairest
⁃ 2021 Stormers A grade best and fairest
⁃ 2021 PFL State – PFL vs WA Country

From this first season, it was obvious that Tess had the potential to be a star.

“It was always really clear to us  that Tess had so much untapped potential and we were very fortunate to be given the opportunity to provide a platform for her to flourish during the formative years of her football career which were all spent at the Uni footy club.” Shares Harry Beaton, UFC Stormers Head Coach.

“It has been such a thrill for everyone involved at Uni to be a small part of the journey that has seen one of our very own develop her craft on cold soggy nights at the McG (McGillivray Oval) before graduating to WAFLW and now the AFLW.

“I think everyone at the club, particularly those associated with the women’s program over the years, feels a real sense of pride in Tess and her incredible journey to the highest level – and rightly so!”

How playing amateur footy helped prepare for WAFLW and now AFLW

In the men’s game, it is highly unusual for players to ply their trade at the amateur level. With the AFLW in its infancy, this is a more common occurrence and has been a perfect platform for Tess to learn the game.

“Playing amateur football provided me with the fundamentals of the game, which was crucial when transitioning to WAFL and now AFLW. It helped me develop my skills, understand game strategies, and build physical and mental resilience.” Sais Tess.

“ Importantly, it also taught me to truly enjoy and appreciate the game, which fueled my passion and commitment as I moved up to higher levels of competition. Competing at the amateur level allowed me to gain valuable match experience, learn from different coaching styles, and embrace the love for football.”

Advice for aspiring AFLW footballers

With so many young women playing footy now, it is becoming harder than ever to make that step to the elite level.

“Always remember why you started playing in the first place: because you love the game. Passion and enjoyment should be your driving forces.” Shared Tess.

“As you transition into higher levels of competition, the demands and pressures will increase, but keeping that love for football at the core will help you stay motivated and focused. Embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow and let your enthusiasm for the sport fuel your journey.”

What Uni Footy Means to Tess

“The Uni footy club is where it all began – it’s where I learnt to love the game and I met some of the people who have significantly influenced my football career. To name a few, a special thank you to Harry Beaton, James McAuliffe and Chris Simpson who have always supported my football journey, celebrating my successes whilst also not being afraid to keep it real on development opportunities.

“Without the support of individuals like Harry, James, Chris and all the girls I had the pleasure to play with at Uni there is no way I’d have gotten the opportunity to play AFLW. The Uni Footy Club will always hold a special place in my heart!”

 

Tess will make her AFLW debut this evening for the West Coast Eagles against Richmond at Mineral Resources Park.

Article by Oscar Devereaux, with thanks to Tess Lyons and Harry Beaton.