Hildebrand ready to make history

NICOLE Hildebrand is set to make history.The 15-year-old Mount Clear College student is part of the 25-girl Victorian squad to play in the inaugural national secondary school girls' football championship to be held in Maroochydore, Queensland, from July 26.Hildebrand has her final training session at Keysborough, in Melbourne, today, where she expects to find out more about her role in the side.She said it was "pretty big" to get selected in the side and was enjoying the experience."I really don't know what to expect - I've never seen any of those girls (from the other states) play before," Hildebrand said.She played footy for Sebastopol juniors in the Ballarat Football League until she was too old for the under-14s and has been playing for her school and the North Ballarat Eagles since.Loreto College student Liz Drake is one of four emergencies.* HILDEBRAND'S Victorian Women's Football League north-west division team, the North Ballarat Eagles, has continued its stellar season with a 74-point thrashing of La Trobe Uni under lights at La Trobe on Saturday night.The Eagles started brightly getting out to a three-goal lead by the first break but then hit a "flat spot" in the second term."I was trying a few people in different positions and it unbalanced the side a bit," coach John Marshall said.But then three players - wingers Jessica Blake and Kaitlyn Ashmore, and ruck Laura Stampa - stepped up in the premiership quarter and "got the ball rolling".From there it was all North Ballarat, which, with three rounds remaining, has cemented its spot in the finals. Full-forward and league leading goal-kicker Emma Kent celebrated her 50th game for the club with a win.Marshall said onballer Zoe Wathen (four goals) was "outstanding", swapping with captain Josie Smith (three) on a half-forward flank.The Eagles have the bye this weekend, and then have two away games - Geelong and Lalor - before embarking on what is hopefully a successful finals campaign.NORTH BALLARAT . . . 12.20 (92)LA TROBE UNI . . . 3.0 (18) GOALS - North Ballarat: Wathen 4 Smith 3 Cranston 2 Fitzgerald 2 Kent. La Trobe Uni: Kennedy 2 Herben. BEST - North Ballarat: Stampa Blake Ashmore Wathen Walker Fitzgerald. La Trobe Uni: Kennedy Caton Brenthall Cussen Bell Johnston.