Hawks defender inspires Abby to soar for WA
Aspiring female footballer Abby Duncan is hoping she can use the skills passed onto her by step-brother and young Hawthorn defender Angus Litherland to good effect when she lines up for the WA schoolgirls' 16s team in July.
Duncan, who hails from Ongerup and attends Albany Senior High School, was part of the 24 players named in the School Sport WA AFL Girls 16s team earlier this month that will contest the national championships in Geelong on July 18. Litherland, who played locally for Ongerup, Royals and Albany, is a step-brother to Duncan and grew up teaching the 16-year-old skills of the game during family holidays and gatherings on their farm in Ongerup.
Moving to boarding school and attending ASHS in Year 9, Duncan only started properly playing football last year and after starring in the local youth girls' matches, where she was identified to attend trials for the WA side.
The Year 11 student was thrilled to learn she had made the final team.
"I was really stoked, just so happy," she said.
"There was three trials and I went to all of them and I am doing most of my training in Albany."
Duncan said Litherland had played a major role in her pursuing a dream of playing female football.
"He's my brother and he taught me how to play footy, all the techniques," she said.
"I get in touch with him all the time and I definitely look up to him."
Litherland, who played his first game for the Hawks this season last Saturday, said he was very close to his younger step-sister. "My mum and her dad were together for about 12 years, Abby and I are effectively brother and sister," Litherland said.
"We have spent quite a bit of time together and I used to kick the footy with her quite a bit.
"It's something she seems pretty passionate about and to see her give it a crack is great.
"She came over at Easter, I gave her all the new training gear and we had a kick at Waverley Park."
Litherland is hopeful he can go to Geelong and watch Duncan in action during the championships.
