BO: It’s your second year at Wodonga and your first year as captain, how are you finding the responsibility?

JB: It doesn't feel any different. We’ve got an awesome group of girls, so we all help each other out. It’s no different to the way I played last year, at the end of the day it’s signing the book and tossing the coin. It’s not a big weight on my shoulders.

BO: Taking that on board, you’re neither here nor there as far as being more focused on your game or giving direction?

JB: I’ve learnt a lot more being captain, but in a sense it’s from the other girls. Everyone comes to you and asks questions rather than just being in the team, so it has been a really good experience for me.

BO: Where did you previously play?

JB: Wodonga Raiders. 

BO: Are you one of the quiet achievers or one of the loudest on the court?

JB: I’d like to consider myself a quiet achiever, but I’m not very quiet. I think the rest of the team would agree with that.

BO: (Wodonga coach) Shea (Cunningham) tells me you got a new car recently, do you want to tell me a bit about that?

JB: Being the long length that I am, I drive a little pink Mitsubishi Mirage. Shea is very stunned by the fact I fold myself in it and everyone knows it’s me. 

BO: You’re at university at the moment, what are you studying?

JB: I’m studying podiatry at CSU. I love it, it has its off days, but it's like anything really and it’s a really good experience.

BO: Do you find the girls are all lining up at training for an assessment and a massage?

JB: Not really because I don’t really know what’s going on yet (laughs), but we’re getting there.

BO: You guys had your first win of the season last week by two goals, which was absolutely incredible, talk me thorough it.

JB: It was incredible. The girls were all fired up and it was even better because we were ready for the challenge. After the week before with all the media about Myrtleford it knocked us around a bit. All of a sudden, we came out strong and managed to take a lead. They came back and it was amazing how our girls lifted and we all worked together. I got emotional at the end of it.

BO: It’s your first year out of home, how is the new house life going?

JB: It’s going really well, I love it. I live with three boys and it’s really chilled. They stir me up and get me hyped up for netball which is really good.

BO: They probably keep your on your toes a little bit, are they tidy around the house?

JB: It’s good fun, I stir them up in the kitchen.

BO: Shea was also telling me you have a quirky name or something you do in regards to calling your teammates. What is that?

JB: It just comes out ‘mate’. When I get really puffed I have a bad habit of saying everyone’s full names instead of nicknames. It’s either mate or their full name, I don’t know how I do it.

BO: Would I be mate O'Connell?

JB: Yes, you probably would be (laughs).

While you’re with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each day at 6am from The Border Mail? To make sure you’re up to date with all the Border and North East news, sign up here.

Because community matters: A letter from the editor