Alexa Walker’s career with the Gunnedah Poochettes has had a somewhat consistent pattern, as she prepares to line up in her third AFL North West NSW women’s grand final in as many years.
It has been a case of ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’ as Gunnedah and Inverell continue their grand final rivalry despite some key personnel changes in the past two years.
With Walker having played in Gunnedah’s 2023 premiership at home and in last year’s grand final runner-up team at Inverell, this year will be different as she skippers the Poochettes after playing under Khobi Devine’s captaincy in 2023 and Katrina Rekunow’s captaincy last year.
Walker has relished the responsibility this year, after Rekunow and last year’s vice-captain Casey O’Connell were among a sizeable contingent of players to part ways with the club in the off-season.
“It has been such a privilege to be captain of the Poochettes alongside Laura Ewington, especially as it has been a role held by few before us,” Walker said.
“In this role, it has been important for me to continue developing my understanding of the game while also supporting all our players on and off the field.”
Walker gave a shout out to team manager Nerieda Ewington for her work off the field, with the skipper saying the team manager has been a beloved member of the team and affectionately called ‘Footy Mum’.
Walker said the feeling and atmosphere of a grand final was always one of nervousness and excitement, while each year had a different feeling as there have been changes to the line-up and team dynamic.
“Although the team dynamic has changed with the loss of a few powerful Poochettes, I’m definitely not surprised at our success this year,” she said.
“This team has worked extremely hard under the guidance of coaches John Woolaston and Ant Dyck.
“Our connection as a unit has also continued to grow due to the leadership of our senior players and the tenacity of our younger Poochies.”
In preparing for the decider, Walker said the Poochettes needed to remind themselves of the opportunity they had and how hard they had worked as a team to get to this point.
“Inverell has always been a strong competitor in the years I have been involved in the competition,” she said.
“The experience they field on their team is a testament to their club dynamic, and something that keeps us working hard to beat their competitive nature.”
Asked what she thought was the key to being able to beat Inverell in this year’s decider, Walker said, “Uniting as a team, supporting each other and working hard to dominate on the field.
“Last year’s grand final (which the Poochettes lost by six points) was a really tough experience but it has fuelled our determination this year.”
