This Saturday morning at Windy Hill Hawthorn defender Jess Sibley will run through a banner celebrating her 100th game.

It’s a milestone that’s taken Sibley, or ‘Sibs’ as she’s known to her teammates, eight years and two states with her football career spanning between Victoria and the ACT.

The 32-year-old was introduced to the sport by a friend in Canberra and fell in love with the game instantly.

“I first started football after a friend said I should come and try it out and I loved it immediately,” explained Sibley.

Sibley enjoyed football so much that she gave up hockey, the sport she had been playing most of her life, to pursue a career in football.

“I had previously played hockey for 18 years and eventually gave that up as I enjoyed the physicality and team culture of AFL.”

When a career opportunity came up in Melbourne, Sibley moved to the football state and joined the Eastern Devils Football Club.

“I started playing at Eastern Devils in 2016 in what was a much more competitive competition than what I had previously experienced.

“After our VFLW license at the Devils was not renewed, I joined fellow teammates and was welcomed at Hawthorn as a part of their VFLW team in 2018.”

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The physical defender has relished her time since joining the brown and gold.

“Being a part of Hawthorn has been a great learning experience in many ways.

“Places are only as good as their people and Hawthorn has some great people leading the way for women's football.”

The people and friendships Sibley has made playing football along with the challenge of taking up a new sport at a later stage in life is what makes her 100th game celebration so special.

“Reaching 100 games is gratifying. 

“I didn’t start playing football until I was 25, so to pick up the skill of a new sport was a challenge and I have enjoyed the journey over the last eight years.

“It has opened doors to many new friendships and experiences which I am appreciative of.”

Hawthorn’s VFLW side will play Essendon this Saturday morning at Windy Hill at 11.30am.