Grace Perrett’s selection in the Victoria Metro Under 18 AFLW National Championships is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication, resilience and talent that continue to thrive within our sporting program.
MGGS Sporting Excellence – Grace Perrett
MGGS Sporting Excellence - Grace Perrett
The AFLW Under 18 National Championships bring together the best young footballers from across Australia, providing an opportunity for aspiring athletes to test themselves against the nation’s elite and showcase their potential ahead of future AFLW pathways. Representing Victoria Metro, Grace played a significant role throughout the championships, helping her team record impressive victories over Queensland and Western Australia while competing strongly against South Australia and Vic Country.
Grace’s impact across the carnival was evident in a number of standout performances. In Victoria Metro’s opening match against Queensland, she kicked a goal and collected 13 disposals, setting the tone for a strong campaign. She added another goal against South Australia before producing one of her best all-round performances in the final match against Vic Country, finishing with 15 disposals, five tackles and 272 metres gained.
The opportunity to wear the Big V was earned through Grace’s outstanding form with the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League. Her selection also highlights the depth of football talent within our school community. Fellow Grammarians Grace Anstess, Georgia Berryman, Claudia Kogler, Imogen Perrett, Hanna Kahsnitz and Fleur Wilson were also part of the Victoria Metro program, while Sofia Barnaby represented Oakleigh Chargers, showcasing the strength of our girls’ football pathway.
Reflecting on the experience, Grace described the championships as one of the most valuable and enjoyable opportunities of her football journey so far.
“It was great to play with and against some of the most talented players across Australia,” Grace said. “My main highlight was getting to play at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong because it was really cool to play in a proper stadium, which was something I had never done before.”
The championships also provided unique opportunities beyond match day. Travelling interstate to Perth and Adelaide allowed Grace and her teammates to experience elite football environments firsthand, touring AFL and AFLW club facilities and hearing from current players about their pathways to the professional level.
“It gave me an insight into what it might look like to play at the highest level,” Grace said. “Hearing from players about their transition from Talent League and VFLW football to AFLW was really valuable.”
Grace is the kind of defender every coach wants and every opposition forward fears. Calm under pressure and fiercely reliable, she brings a commanding presence to our backline that makes those around her play with confidence. Her ability to read the game in exceptional, often spotting danger before it develops and shutting down attacks with remarkable composure and precision.
What truly sets grace apart is the intelligence she brings to her role. She combines relentless work ethic with an instinctive understanding of the game, consistently making the right decision at the right moment. Whether she is intercepting play, organising teammates or absorbing pressure in crucial moments, she leads by example. During her time in the MGGS football program she has been dependable, disciplined and unwavering in her commitment. Grace has become a cornerstone of the team's success and a player whole influence extends far beyond her individual performance.
Tennille Nash - MGGS Senior Football Coach
Grace’s journey is a wonderful example of what is possible when talent, hard work and opportunity come together. Through our school’s strong sporting culture, students are encouraged to pursue excellence, embrace high-performance opportunities and develop both as athletes and people. The success of Grace and her fellow Grammarians reflects not only their individual dedication, but also the strength of a program that supports students to compete, lead and thrive at the highest levels of school and representative sport.
With the AFLW National Championships now complete, Grace and her teammates turn their attention to the Herald Sun Shield campaign after securing the opportunity through an incredible fifth consecutive GSV premiership. As Grace continues to build her game across multiple positions and pursue her dream of playing football at the highest level, she remains an inspiring role model for current students and future generations of Grammarians.
The Herald Sun Shield Semi Final is taking place this Wednesday 5 August at Skinner Reserve, Braybrook. First bounce is at 12:00pm. See you there!
