By JARROD POTTER
WHILE Ellie Blackburn’s junior football career has come to an end, the monumental legacy she has left in women’s football is undeniable.
Blackburn, 18, from Endeavour Hills, has been a mainstay in every conceivable junior women’s football team imaginable for the past four years.
A stellar career started by playing with the boys at Beaconsfield, winning the under-11s boys best and fairest for Beaconsfield in 2006, before undertaking her Youth Girls career in 2009 and immediately making an impact – playing in Berwick’s Youth Girls premiership side.
A perennial representative for the South East Juniors interleague team – that won six consecutive premierships – she ramped up her successes even further this year.
Blackburn’s 2013 season was about as success-studded as a year could be.
Even with state representation at senior and junior level, AFL draftee for Melbourne in the Women’s AFL match and multiple All-Australian honours – it was a premiership for her Beaconsfield team mates she craved.
That dream came true on Sunday morning – with a four-goal Blackburn haul helping guide the Eagles to their inaugural South East Juniors premiership in only their second season.
“Didn’t really expect to win today but it’s always good to go out on a high note,” Blackburn said.
“I didn’t expect to get that many touches – don’t think I even got that many – but all the girls kicking it to me and the great support from the team was all worth it in the end.”
Blackburn returned to Beaconsfield last season in its first year, giving up an opportunity to play with a much more successful Berwick side she had been a part of until that point but playing for her first club mattered more.
“Starting off with Beacy and finishing off my junior career with them is special and means something extra to me,” Blackburn said.
“Could never have imagined finishing my career this way – going out on a high note is all I wanted to do and dreams do come true I guess and it’s a fairytale finish for me.”
The South East Juniors premiership and best on ground medal was the finishing touch and crowning glory for one of the most exceptional junior sports careers ever seen in this country.
Blackburn wanted to thank her team mates, coaches and family for their support this throughout this season and her career as a whole.
