Brisbane Lions midfielder Ally Anderson set to make history among first AFLW players to reach 50th milestone

Ghungalu woman Ally Anderson will have her name imprinted in the Aussie Rules history books this weekend as the Brisbane Lions midfielder joins two other AFLW stars in becoming the first players to reach the 50-game milestone.

The 27-year-old joins the likes of VFL/AFL pioneer and fellow Lions player Joe Johnson, who was the first recognised Indigenous player in the game and the first to clock 50 matches — from 1904 to 1906. 

Six years in the making and having played every Lions match to date, Anderson joins Brisbane teammate Emily Bates and Adelaide's Ebony Marinoff in reaching the achievement.

«It's quite a surreal sort of feeling knowing that I'm here six years later and I'll be one of the first players to reach this milestone,» Anderson said.

«I remember when they announced they were going to have a professional league. Around that time we really didn't think it would be for another five years or so, but they suddenly made it happen.

»I just feel so grateful. I never saw my life heading in the direction of a professional athlete but I'm glad I made the most of the opportunity I was given."

Anderson was drafted to the Lions in 2016 ahead of the inaugural AFLW season in 2017. 

She recalled her excitement and nerves ahead of Brisbane's first AFLW match when they ran out against the Demons in Melbourne, and said the feeling will be much of the same for this Sunday's milestone against the Kangaroos in Maroochydore.

«The memory that really sticks with me from back then isn't necessarily my first game but two nights before it, when we had our captains run before travelling to Melbourne the next day,» she said. 

«We'd finished training and we came inside and on the TV was the first-ever AFLW match between Collingwood and Carlton. 

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