FROM playing footy on five acres of land to farming on over 110,000 acres, ex-AFLW star Courtney Wakefield is enjoying being back home at Top Hut Station.
Wakefield will always be grateful for being able to live out her dream but said that she was equally happy being back home to prioritise her family, which includes husband Tom and two children, Tilly and Sid.
“I thought I did that pretty well while playing football … but we are certainly making up for the time we did lose,” she said.
“It’s their time now, I’ve had my time and it’s time for my kids to do their extracurricular and to be around for that.”
When asked about life back on the farm, Wakefield gave an interesting comparison.
“The farm is 110,000 acres, I used to describe it as 25,000 MCGs … it keeps us busy that’s for sure,” she said.
“The hubby has racked up a list of jobs for me over the five seasons that I’ve been away.
“To be honest, I’m probably busier now than what I was when I was playing footy in Melbourne just with the kids running around. There’s no rest for the wicked.”
Now starring for Wentworth in the SFNL A Grade netball competition, Wakefield said that people often forget that she played this sport for 20 years before her football career.
“Football was my first true love but obviously I had to find something else once I turned 12,” she said.
“To have (daughter) Tilly here playing under 9s here now is really special as well.
“She loves netball, hanging out with her mum and friends, she really loves being here playing with her mates.”
For an A grade side that is the benchmark of the SFNL competition, Wakefield gave credit to the core of the team which has become more united with each year.
“It’s a credit to (coach) Amanda (Edwards) and a really strong group of netballers from our juniors through to our A Grade,” she said.
“We prepare really well and train really well each week.
“We head into every week believing that every opposition will pose a challenge to us.
“Through highs and lows, we’ve been very lucky to have achieved what we have and that’ll carry on for many years, hopefully off the court as well.”
The unbeaten Roos (5-0) will take on a young, third-placed Irymple team (4-2) at George Gordon Oval on Saturday.
