Caris has come off a strong TAC Cup season for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels. She said she was excited to play against Vic Metro. 

“It’s going to be a tough game but I think it will be very competitive,” she said. 

Caris plays in the ruck but can play as a key player and at half-back. 

She said she had met many of the footballers playing for the metropolitan side through her participation in the TAC Cup. 

“I have a bit of an idea who we will be playing against but it will all come down to who performs on the day,” she said. “The best part about playing in the Vic Country team is being able to play with others who are really good footballers.” 

Caris travelled home to Horsham for the long weekend and played for the Horsham Saints in the White Ribbon Cup.

She was named best on ground and was awarded the White Ribbon medal. 

“It was fun to come home and play footy with them,” Caris said. 

It has been a good learning experience for Caris who said the coaches have educated her about aspects of the game she knew little about.

“There is a lot of tactical work and they have taught us a lot of plays down the ground which I had never heard of,” she said. 

“Then they give you a lot of small tips which help your general skills like kicking the ball and marking it.” 

Players are given a personalised program to follow in their own time. 

The side has trained together five times and Caris said she was eager to put all of the hard work on the oval. 

The 2017 NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 Championships are being staged on the Gold Coast from July 10 to July 14 with Vic Country playing three games. 

It will play Queensland on July 10, NSW-ACT on July 12 and Western Australia on July 14. 

Caris said she was looking forward to playing the rest of the competition on the Gold Coast. 

“I am really looking forward to playing the teams from other states,” she said.