Sport
13 June, 2025
Astbury relishing the change
After joining Ararat from Tatyoon, Maggie Astbury made the goal ring her own in 2025, scoring 168 goals in six games, showing she is one of the standouts in the league.
Astbury is a multiple premiership player with Tatyoon and is relishing a new challenge with a different team in 2025, and enjoys playing alongside other recruits, Faith and Paige Biddle.
“Having a change was good and it has opened up a new challenge for me, which I am relishing,” Astbury said.
“Playing with the Biddle sisters was something I was also keen on as they were my opposition last year, so I am glad they are on my team this year as they are talented girls.
“They are both super knowledgeable and are across everything on the court. Their advice and knowledge are very impressive and having played top-level sport, having that to rely on is super nice.”
Having not won a game in 2024 and currently sitting fourth on the ladder with four wins, the confidence is sky-high at Ararat and Astbury said it’s encouraging.
“It’s super exciting to see that improvement,” Astbury said.
“Our captain, Jess Taylor was on my back for the last two years to come here, and she came back at the start of the year, and other players joined, and the vibe is great at the club.
“I have played a bit of netball with girls that have played at a high level so enjoying new things here is a nice change.
“It’s promising to have success in both football and netball.”
Astbury is currently sitting fifth on the goal-shooting list with 168 goals, and she said that improving her accuracy has been a big drive for her.
“In my first game against Horsham, I shot at 50% accuracy, which was frustrating as I could have done better, and improving on that has been a big drive for me,” Astbury said.
“I practice a lot and try to practice most days of the week.”
At Tatyoon, Astbury took up junior coaching, and while coaching isn’t on the horizon, she loves seeing the improvement in the younger girls at the club.
“I love junior development and it’s something I am passionate about,” Astbury said.
“During Covid, a lot of the young girls missed that important stage of development, so I do love getting involved and getting the basics down pat and seeing the improvement from the young girls.
“I love supporting the younger girls in the team.”
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