In the midst of another career-best season for Lions’ midfielder Nat Grider, the young star admits that ‘having fun’ has been the secret to her putting up some of her best footy yet.
“At the moment, I’m just having a lot of fun playing footy,” Grider said.
“Coming to training is the highlight of my day, and playing footy on the weekend is the thing I look forward to the most in the week.
“I think that’s the most important part to me in playing some good footy is just doing it and enjoying it at the same time.
“We have such a good group here with us at the Club and such a good culture that we’ve created over the last few years, like you come to training and you’re with some of your best friends and that’s what makes it really special.”
Grider has played an influential role in several of the Lions’ recent wins, stepping up in the backline alongside Captain Bre Koenen and key defender Shannon Campbell to fill the void left by Foundation Lion Kate Lutkins.
In a scrappy win against Geelong, the defender gathered 16 disposals, four marks, five tackles, and six intercepts to help her team to victory.
Her 2022 season averages are well above her career-best with the 21-year-old averaging 15.4 disposals, three tackles and 159.8 metres gained per game, demonstrating her drive and determination to build season upon season.
Her partner, Connor, who also plays for the Brisbane Lions, believes it’s this willingness to develop her game that has gotten Grider to where she is now.
“It’s a great achievement for Nat to get to 25 games, I’m very proud,” McFadyen says.
“She’s in some great form at the moment and to be honest, it’s not by chance that she’s playing her best footy.
“Her hard work over the off season and her willingness to always get better is the reason she’s doing so well.
“She’s one of the most professional athletes I’ve seen. She absolutely loves her footy and I think that’s what drives her so it’s good to see the hard work paying off for her.”
As she approaches her 25th AFLW game against the Suns on Thursday night, Grider says that it’ll be a special moment for her football career.
“I guess growing up I didn’t think I’d ever play footy for the Brisbane Lions,”
“To play my 25th game with this Club is pretty special to me. I grew up supporting the Lions and it’s been something I’ve been looking forward to, especially the last few weeks’ knowing that it was coming up.”
When asked if we’ll see another 25, Grider sets the bar high.
“Hopefully another 100, that’s the milestone goal.”
Nat Grider will play her 25th AFLW game against the Gold Coast Suns on Thursday February 17 at Metricon Stadium at 6:40pm.
