19 October 2023
Pippa McTaggart from WA’s Midwest made lifetime memories while attending this year’s AFL Grand Final as the 2023 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year and Captain of Team NAB AFL Auskick.
Mingenew Primary School Year 3 student Pippa McTaggart is passionate about Australian football.
So, imagine what it was like for her last month when she left her family farm in a small town in WA’s Midwest, to stepping out on to the field at the MCG on Grand Final day, in front of 100,000 people.
Pippa McTaggart with Joel Selwood and Katie Brennan after winning 2023 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year. Image credit: Graham Denholm, AFL photos.
Pippa and her family were treated to the ultimate footy experience.
Pippa remembered being in shock while being crowned the Auskicker of the Year by former Geelong premiership captain Joel Selwood and Katie Brennan, who is captain of the Richmond Football Club’s AFLW team. This happened while she was doing a tour of the famous MCG.
“It was so amazing and special and I got a big surprise” she said.
The experience of a lifetime included some prize money, a trip to Melbourne for the whole family, attending the AFL Grand Final between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions and personal footy mentors from both the AFL and AFLW for a year.
The bright star has been winning hearts since being named the Auskicker of the Year, shining with her fun personality, beaming smile and knowledge about the AFL.
Pippa was overjoyed and had her sibling Blake by her side to join in on the fun in Melbourne, along with her parents.
Before the bounce down to start the game, Pippa smiled and waved to the crowd as she did a lap around the MCG in the back of a ute, while sitting alongside Joel Selwood.
Pippa presenting Darcy Moore his medal at the Grand Final. Image credit: Graham Denholm, AFL photos.
She said the highlight was presenting the premiership player’s with their medals. She got to present the medal to Collingwood’s winning captain and key defender Darcy Moore.
“Handing out medals was pretty amazing and such a special moment,” she said.
"Since the moment I was born, the first second I was born, my mind was ticking off with football."
At the Auskick presentation night before the big game, Pippa met some of the most famous players from the AFL, including one of her favourite players, from the West Coast Eagles, Luke Shuey.
With the Grand Final over, Pippa and her family are now preparing to head to Perth for this weekend’s Telethon.
She has decided to donate some of her prize money to her pop and to charity, including Telethon. She has also set up a fundraising page.