It’s been a big couple of months for 18-year-old Alana Porter.
The morning of the 2019 AFLW Draft, Porter was at home studying for her VCE exams with the draft on in the background when her name was read out.
“I got a text message and then saw my name on the screen. I was shocked,” Porter told collingwoodfc.com.au.
“I called my Dad straight away and I couldn’t believe it.”
Chosen by Collingwood with pick 82, the selection was extra special with Porter being a Pies fan her entire life.
“I grew up idolising Pendlebury, Sidebottom and now Grundy so to now be at the club myself is something pretty special,” Porter said.
The former state long and high jumper has already made history at the Pies, having been a member of the club’s first VFLW premiership side back in September.
Porter admitted the week leading up to the Grand Final was a huge juggling act as she had to manage training sessions alongside studying for her Year 12 practice exams.
“I saw footy as my free time away from my studies.
“I’d wake up early to study, go to school and then head to training in the evenings.”
Despite the challenge, it was an experience Porter wouldn’t change for the world.
“I didn’t expect to be in a VFL program let alone a Grand Final and I felt very privileged to be a part of the team as an underage player.
“Running out on Ikon Park and then getting the win honestly didn’t seem real at the time so it was pretty special to be a part of.”
With full focus now on the Pies’ pre-season campaign, Porter is truly making the most of every opportunity that comes her way and is sure to leave everything out on the track.
Originally a midfielder, she’s known for her for speed and ability to go in hard to the contest.
Porter has recently made the transition into defence where she says she’s found herself as a player.
“Now in the backline, I’ve found that I really like playing in a one-on-one contest and love locking down a player.
“I found it a bit hard coming into pre-season as there’s a lot of running but my fitness has been improving.
“But it’s been exciting to learn more new things and see my skills develop week by week.”
With her VCE results to be released on Thursday, Porter is keen to continue her studies at university next year alongside her footy commitments.
“I’m hoping to get into science at Uni and even study Japanese as a second language but I’m not sure what I want to be yet.”
“At the moment I’m focusing on the amazing opportunity that I have with my footy.”
