Just a week after Vince Sorrenti confirmed his presence at the Boots 'n All luncheon on 11 August, the Sorrenti name is in the news again. And for all the right reasons.

Our Madison Sorrenti will be named this week's VAFA Women's Rising Star for her BOG performance in Sunday's massive win over the Brunswick Renegades.

Maddie has been a mainstay of the fledgling WOX team

Maddie had only played a few games of school footy at Strathcona Grammar prior to signing on to play with the Claret and Stout in the VAFA Women’s League.

Maddie was a netballer who sought a more physical challenge and so football really appealed.  Tackling, physical contests at the ball and being under pressure are all things that really drew Maddie to the game.

A Collingwood supporter, Maddie admires Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury. Like them, Maddie has plenty of speed, evasion skills and great tackling ability.

Coach Rohenna Young rates Maddie's ability to take a great contested mark and to read the play. The coach also loves her toughness and her attack on the ball.

"Maddie often jumps into a pack and comes out the other side with the ball.  Her evasion skills are as good as anyone’s.  She will always put her hand up to do more at training and this dedication has seen her game improve dramatically.

"It doesn’t matter how many times the opposition bumps or tackles her, she jumps straight back up and more often than not, straight back into the contest.

"Mid-way through the season, Maddie's appendix burst and when she woke up from the operation she was concerned only about when she could get back to footy. Nothing fazes her.

"She is fit (again), always wanting to learn and to improve, and encouraging to all of her team mates.  She is always at training and all her team mates love her.

Maddie holds a unique position in Old Xavs folklore. She was the very first paid-up female player registered with the Red 'n Blacks, so she is also a favourite of the club's Treasurer.

In other WOX news, Gabby Golds and Riley Christgoergl are in the final thirty for Big V selection this weekend. Have a great week on the track and best of luck with selection (and the game against AFL Goldfields.

And congratulations to Maddie Sorrenti.

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