Wangaratta Rovers' Kylie Barton enjoying her football career at 52

The daughter of Geelong player Colin Barton grew up kicking the footy alongside her three brothers.

But while she watched the men in her family follow their dreams on the field, there was always a barrier stopping her from doing the same.

Her gender.

"I was never allowed to play football when I was young," she said.

"Girls were never allowed."

While she had no choice but to let years pass her by without competing in the sport she loves, her day finally came.

"When I was 48 there was a sign up for Wangaratta Rovers female footy players," she said.

"I thought I'd give it a crack.

"I just wanted to play 30 games and get some votes every now and then, just to know that I might have been alright when I was younger."

Now 52-years-old, Barton is still running around in the midfield for the Rovers this season.

"I wasn't going to play, but I thought I just want one more year," she said.

Her jumper not only signifies the acceptance of her now being a part of the sport, but also aligns her with her father.

"Dad was number nine for Geelong, that's why I chose number nine for Rovers," she said.

"He's now 83 and he gets just as much enjoyment coming to the football and watching his daughter run around."

Despite jumping at the opportunity, she admits it hasn't been easy.

"That first season I played with broken ribs," she said.

"Girls would come in from the side and there were lots of rib injuries because we just weren't used to that physical contact and being able to see it coming.

"The first game we played was at Lavington, it was about 32 degrees and we had 12 people, half of whom hadn't played footy before.

"We've come a long way in terms of injuries and growth at the club."

Barton is now taking it upon herself to help ensure girls of younger generations learn the skills of the game by coaching the club's under-17s.

"We have been given a bus, so we pick the kids up and take them to training and games and take them home," she said.

"We want to keep having women playing football.

"It can't just be a once-off, it has to be long term.

"What would be a wonderful legacy would be to see women's football in this area being a really good pathway into the AFLW."

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While playing at the highest level wasn't an option for Barton, she's content with what she's been able to achieve later in life.

"Someone once said to me, if only you were 10 years younger," she said.

"I won't play anymore after this year, because I don't want to take the spot of young people coming through.

"I've had my chance and I've really embraced and loved it."

But Barton's footy story isn't quite over yet, with the Rovers and Wodonga Raiders qualifying for the preliminary final.

With the game now set to be played this weekend following the end of Victoria's lockdown, she could still get a fairytale ending.

"You can only dream about those things," she said.

"Whatever happens, happens, and if that's the end, then that's the end.

"I've been really happy with what I've been able to do and achieve at my age.

"Hopefully I can inspire older women to keep playing for a little bit longer and to give the game a try."

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