Eastern Devils forward Sarah Perkins recruited to Adelaide for 2017 AFL Women’s competition
ADELAIDE has thrown Eastern Devils footballer Sarah Perkins a lifeline, recruiting the forward as a free agent.
The 23-year-old was left shattered a fortnight agoafter she was overlooked in the inaugural women’s draft.
However, Adelaide was quick to pounce, securing Perkins’ services for the 2017 AFL Women’s season last week.
The Mt Waverley resident said she was relieved to be given a second chance.
“As soon as I got that phone call from the Crows, they offered to have a bit of a chat, I guess my emotions changed pretty quickly and I realised my dreams were still alive,” Perkins said.
“From what I can gather looking at their list, they have a pretty good list at the moment and it is going to be pretty competitive but I think they were lacking a tall target and maybe some extra height.
“I’m not overly tall but I definitely am a big target to have so I think that is their main attraction.”
It was only two years ago Perkins was playing in the Devils’ reserves.
However, some significant changes to her lifestyle and a greater dedication to her fitness saw her kick 52 goals in the VFL Women’s competition this year.
She finished third on the league goalkicking table and was named in the competition’s team of the year.
Devils coach Brendan Major said he was surprised Perkins was not recruited in the draft.
“Everyone likes her, she is a very well-liked player but she is kind of shy and quiet so she flies under the radar a little bit, which is probably one of the reasons why she got overlooked over in the draft,” Major said.
“The player she is now, she is twice the player she is now than what she was 12 months ago so it has been a good ride for her.”
Perkins first picked up a footy in 2009 as a 16-year-old when she joined the Devils youth side, before progressing to the seniors in 2012.
“A mate from school asked me to go to a training session so I went down and I concinved my Mum to let me play,” she said.
She will now pack up her bags for a move to South Australia next month to pursue her football dream.
She is also working through a work transfer with plumbing company Reece, where she works behind the counter.