What a way to start an AFLW career as Knoll slots goal with first kick
Shelby Knoll, after overcoming a lengthy injury, finally made her AFLW debut for Richmond on Saturday. Persistence paid off for the former Kangaroo Flat and Castlemaine footballer as she played her first AFLW game.
Celebrating her 25th birthday just a day earlier, Knoll quickly made an impact by kicking a goal with her very first kick during the match against the Gold Coast Suns.
"Knoll won a holding the ball free kick in the forward pocket and from up against the boundary she showed her class by nailing the tricky set-shot to kick Richmond's opening goal of the game."
Knoll was drafted by Richmond in April 2023 during the AFLW supplementary draft. Unfortunately, she suffered an ACL injury in December 2023. After nearly two years of intensive rehabilitation, her dedication was rewarded with a call-up for the Tigers' final game of the season.
Despite her early goal, Richmond lost to the Suns by 14 points, with a final score of 5.9 (39) to 3.7 (25) at IKON Park.
Shelby began her football journey in 2014 with the youth girls team at Kangaroo Flat. She continued with the Roos' senior women's team before moving to Castlemaine when the Magpies joined the Central Victorian Football League women's competition in 2022.
Author’s summary
Shelby Knoll’s journey to her AFLW debut shows remarkable resilience, making an immediate impact by scoring a goal with her first kick after years of injury recovery.