If the AFL wants a recruitment tool, it should produce more big brothers like Brisbane Lions' Jono Freeman.
The 20-year-old Noosa product brought his little sister Bella a pair of football boots so she could follow in his footsteps and play AFL.
In just her second season, the Coolum Beach Breakers player has been named as a shock selection in the Queensland Under 16 School Girls team.
"I have grown up watching my brother play footy and when the opportunity came up to play girls footy Jono convinced me to give it a go and seeing that he brought me footy boots I couldn't say no," she said.
Moving from spectator to player she leaned heavily on her brother's experience on the field.
"My family has had heaps of experience in the world of footy and they have always got something constructive to say to help me improve my game.
"Jono gives me tips, especially playing in the forward line.
"He really helped me with my body positioning, marking and developing strong leads into open spaces."
Freeman is passing the lessons he has learnt during his rookie season at the Brisbane Lions to help develop his sister's game.
"I try to get in her ear and give her advice in what to do in different situations in a game but my main piece of advice to her before games is to just make sure she works hard and plays with intensity," he said.
"Bella has great awarness of what is around her and uses her clean skills by hand and foot to put her teammates into space... she improves every time I see her play."
The St. Andrew's student impressde her brother with her natural skills and ability to learn.
The centre-half forward has also impressed Queensland Coach, Stuart Jackson, who selected the Sunshine Coast debutant in his team for the Nations next month.
"Bella played a traditional centre-half forward role for the team (Sunshine Coast) over the carnival with repeatedhard leading virtually forcing the play to come through her," Jackson said.
"Her aerobic capacity has improved greatly over the last 12 months and she now plays the game harder, faster and for longer.
"She has a great pair of hands and is a reliable kick, but it is her competitive nature and ability to bring teammates into games that makes Bella such an asset to any team."
Kawana Park's Tahlia Randall, Coolum Beach's Eve Waddell and Caloundra's Tiff Dale also made the team.
"I honestly couldn't believe it when they called out my name and presented me with the state jumper, but at the same time I was so excited," Bella Freeman said.
Last Modified on 24/09/2014 11:21