As we reported in the last edition of MCC News, the club is thrilled to have so many members taking part in the inaugural AFL Women’s League that has captured everyone’s attention.

At last check, there were seven MCC members on an AFL list: Ellie Brush and Phoebe McWilliams (GWS GIANTS), Meg Hutchins and Penny Cula-Reid (Collingwood), Harriet Cordner (Melbourne), Lauren Morecroft (Western Bulldogs) and Alison Downie (Carlton).

Each has acquitted themselves well in the early rounds of the competition. Several are not only MCC members, but have strong family ties to the club.

Ellie Brush, who is a highly credentialed soccer player in the W-League, has a great-uncle, Donald Duffy, who was a former MFC president and long-time MCC committeeman.

Alison Downie, the 32-year-old Carlton ruckman, is the granddaughter of MCG tour guide, Brian Downie, who was a former VFL boundary umpire who officiated from 1949-54 (including two grand finals). Alison’s father, John, is also an MCC member – as is her uncle, Dr Peter Downie, the renowned head of oncology at Monash Health Children’s Cancer Centre.

Not to be outdone is Harriet Cordner, who becomes the eighth member of the Cordner family to pull on the Demons jumper.  Harriet is the great-grand daughter of Ted Cordner Sr and granddaughter of former MCC president and Honorary Life member, Dr Don Cordner. The dynasty continues.

Women’s footy players wanted

On the back of the stunning growth in women’s football, and the advent of the AFL Women’s League, the MCC is considering fielding a women’s side in the Victorian Amateur Football Association’s women’s league in 2018.

The aim is to complement the elite women’s football played by Melbourne Football Club with a lower-level community team in the MCC name.

If you are interested in playing football with the MCC in future, or know someone who is, please contact the MCC on clubservices@mcc.org.au.