SHE'S a New South Wales under 20s basketball representative, but on Saturday at George Park 1 Matilda Flood showed her sporting talent extends to Australian rules as well.
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Her work in the ruck helped the Bathurst Giants to a commanding 11-13-79 to 1-1-7 win over the Bathurst Lady Bushrangers in their Central West AFL season opener.
Flood got a taste for the sport last season when playing four games for the Giants in the youth girls competition, but on Saturday she stepped up to play her first senior CWAFL match.
She was not the only debutante - both teams having an influx of new faces for 2019 - but she was arguably the most impressive. Flood booted two majors, helped her side dominate the clearances and was voted the Giants' players' player.
"Matilda Flood in the ruck, I think she's had a couple of games with the youth girls before, but she was just incredible. She got it to where she needed to," Giants coach Liz Kennedy said.
"It was amazing, that side just gelled today, the newbies fitted in like nothing else, they were all really good.
"It was like they have been playing together for years today and it's only the first game of the season.
"Mariah Gilchrist really found her spot today too, she was really good too. I popped her up the front and once she got a couple of goals, her confidence just really built."
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It took six minutes for the Giants to find the opening goal, Flood crumbing well in the goal mouth. Two more came in quick succession which typified the match - one on the back of a crunching Katie Kennedy tackle the other after Minna Annand cut off the ball at half forward flank and pumped it inside 50.
From there the Giants went on with the job - holding the Bushrangers scoreless until the final term.
While well beaten, there were positives for the inexperienced Bushrangers line-up.
Donalee Delahunty and new recruit Scarlett Kidman worked hard to break the Giants' forward press and racked up plenty of possessions, while their tackling pressure was good throughout.
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Kennedy praised their efforts and knows they will be a more formidable opponent once they gain more match practice.
"Credit to Bushrangers, they have got so many new personnel up there but they did well. Good on them for losing so many players but still being able to whack a team on the park," the Giants' mentor said.
"We know what it's like, we were in their position last year when you've only got a handful of players who have played the game before. They will only be better for the run today."
