Healesville Junior Football Club product Brylee Anderson was selected as one of the 2025 AFL Life Members Education Assistance Award winners.
Brylee became the winner of the 2025 Susan Alberti Education Assistance Award on 3 September.
She also received $10,000 to assist her education and personal development as part of the award.
The Healesville girl said she felt very honoured receiving such a prestigious award by the AFL life members.
“It’s inspiring to see the previous winners of the award and what they have gone on to do, like Luke Hodge, Sam Walsh, and Harley Reid,” she said.
“Overall, this award means a lot and is something I am very proud of to see that all the hard work I have put in is being recognised.
“The award will help towards any educational support I may need next year in year 12 doing VCE. It will also go towards getting extra help to work on my game and the costs of fuel travelling from trainings and games, especially living further away for most things, living in Healesville.”
The 17-year-old girl has grown up her whole life in Healesville and is currently in Year 11 at Mount Lilydale Mercy College.
Her footy journey started from an Auskick level after watching her dad play.
She began playing more in a U9 boys team with Healesville Junior Football Club.
Brylee said she plays primarily as a midfielder, plays a bit of backline at times and even goes forward occasionally.
“I stayed playing for Healesville Junior Football Club until last year, finishing off with the U17 girls,” she said.
“Healesville Football Club has been a massive part of my development through the help of coaches like Andrew Crossman, who coached me in both some boys and girls teams I played in.
“Healesville Football Club has been very supportive of me and my footy journey, which is something I’m very thankful for.”
Three years ago, an opportunity came to her to experience a higher level of football.
She joined the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League to compete with other talented young footballers.
“After being selected as a bottom age under 16, last year was my first year with the U18 squad,” Brylee said.
“Eastern Ranges has been an amazing experience and something I will forever be grateful for.
“The staff and players are all so supportive, and it’s the best environment to be a part of. The game is more intense compared to the local footy, a lot faster pace with stronger opponents.”
With the outstanding performance in the Coates Talent League, the 17-year-old midfielder grabbed another opportunity.
She was selected in the U18 Girls Victoria Metro in the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships, the highest level of state and territory representative football, as part of the AFL’s Talent Pathway Program.
Brylee contributed to Vic Metro securing back-to-back title wins and said playing in Vic Metro was an incredible experience.
“Especially as a bottom-ager, I got to learn off the older girls and see how they go about their footy,” she said.
“While playing for Vic Metro, the highlights would’ve been the interstate travel getting to go to Perth, which created stronger bonds within the group.
“The team ended up winning the title, which was pretty exciting, and a good way to top off the carnival.”
The young footballer with lots of sports talents recently made a decision to choose football for her future career.
Brylee also showed her exceptional talents in basketball with her experience with school basketball, MLBC Lakers in Lilydale and Kilsyth Cobras.
Although she loved both sports, she had to choose one, and it was football.
“Overall, I loved both sports very much, but I felt the footy environment was better suited for me,” Brylee said.
“The people involved and relationships I have made through the games are another reason why I chose footy.
“There is nothing better than when I’m out on the footy field with some of my best friends playing the game I love.
Her goal is now to get drafted in the AFLW at the end of 2026, following in her older brother Cody Anderson’s footsteps, who was drafted by Hawthorn Hawks last November.
Brylee has an older brother, Cody, and a younger brother, Sam.
From a young age, all three siblings have supported one another in developing their skills in different sports, not just football.
The 17-year-old said her two brothers have played a large role in her footy journey.
“Sam helped with improving my game smarts as I grew up, and Cody was big on teaching me how to tackle hard,” Brylee said.
“Watching Cody go through the progress to AFL has been really inspiring and helpful in understanding what it takes to become a professional footballer.
“All of us have been very supportive of one another, and both my brothers’ encouragement has helped motivate me to keep getting better and better, which is something I will forever be grateful for.”
The Healesville Junior Football Club product appreciated the environment she grew up in, where she could bring out her potential.
“I would just like to acknowledge all the different people who have helped and supported me in my sporting journey, including friends, family, coaches and teammates,” Brylee said.
