Kalinda Howarth

Kalinda Howarth (born 2 August 1999) is an Australian rules footballer playing for Gold Coast in the AFL Women's competition (AFLW).

Kalinda Howarth
Personal information
Full name Kalinda Howarth
Nickname(s) Kindy
Date of birth (1999-08-02) 2 August 1999
Place of birth Gold Coast, Queensland
Original team(s) Coolangatta Tweed (QAFLW)
Draft No. 31, 2017 AFL Women's draft
Height 167 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current club Gold Coast
Number 23
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2018 Brisbane 0 (0)
2020– Gold Coast 7 (9)
Total 7 (9)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of the 2020 season.
Career highlights
Source: AustralianFootball.com

Early life

Howarth was born on the Gold Coast[1] into a family of Indigenous Australian (Yuin) descent[2] and attended Helensvale State High School throughout her upbringing.[3] She grew up a passionate rugby league supporter and played touch rugby, soccer and basketball throughout her childhood.[4] At the age of 12, her brother convinced her to try Australian rules football with the Southport Sharks.[5] She later switched clubs to play for Labrador and eventually Coolangatta Tweed in the top level Queensland competition in the lead up to her draft year. At the age of 17, Howarth kicked the premiership-winning goal for Coolangatta Tweed in the 2016 QAFLW grand final.[6] She was also named on the half forward line in the 2017 Under 18 All-Australian team following her strong performance at the national championships.[7]

Howarth named Lance Franklin as her football idol growing up and wears the number 23 guernsey in recognition of her desire to play like him.[8]

AFLW career

Brisbane and return to QAFLW

Howarth was selected by the Brisbane Lions with the 31st pick in the 2017 AFL Women's draft but was delisted a year later without making her AFLW debut. She then joined Bond University and impressed with 31 goals in 15 games to win the QAFLW leading goal kicker award for 2019[9] and finish in second place in the league best and fairest voting.[10] Her performance led to draft pre-selection by her hometown team, the Gold Coast Suns, to be a part of their inaugural 2020 AFLW list.[11]

Gold Coast

She made her AFLW debut against Greater Western Sydney in round 1 of the 2020 AFL Women's season.[12] In the inaugural women's QClash between intra-state rivals Gold Coast and Brisbane, Howarth kicked three of the Suns' four goals against her former side and drew comparisons to legendary Geelong forward Steve Johnson following her performance.[13] She was also named the AFLW's Round 3 AFL Women’s Rising Star nominee for her efforts.[14] Three weeks later, Howarth kicked a career-high four goals and was voted best on ground in her team's 25-point win over the West Coast Eagles,[15] which ultimately secured a place in the Finals for the Suns.[16] She was named in the 2020 AFLW All-Australian team for her season performance.[17]

References
  1. "Gold Coast Suns trainee Kalinda Howarth eyes AFLW spot with Brisbane Lions". Gold Coast Bulletin. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  2. "AFLW Round 1 holding special significance for Indigenous SUNS". goldcoastfc.com.au. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  3. "Youth Girls Squad Named". aflsportsready.com.au. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  4. "How AFLW livewire Kalinda Howarth cracked Lions officials". Fox Sports Australia. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  5. "Kalinda Howarth opens up on mental health battles". goldcoastfc.com.au. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  6. "AFL calls top young male and female players to Melbourne for shot at the big time". ABC Australia. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  7. "AFLW: Vic Country dominates U18 All Australian side". AFL.com.au. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  8. "Buddy-like arc to Queensland gun's game". AFL.com.au. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  9. "Kalinda Howarth Profile - Gold Coast Suns". goldcoastfc.com.au. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  10. "'I was in and out of the mental health ward': Rising Sun's battle". womens.afl. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  11. "Kalinda Howarth becomes a SUN". goldcoastfc.com.au. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  12. "Gold Coast Suns AFLW Team Announcement: Round 1". goldcoastfc.com.au. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  13. "Suns coach likens AFLW star to Cats legend". 7news.com.au. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  14. "Kalinda Howarth named NAB AFLW Round 3 Rising Star nominee". goldcoastfc.com.au. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  15. "Rising Sun shines brightest in impressive win over Eagles". womens.afl. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  16. "SUNS maiden finals berth confirmed". goldcoastfc.com.au. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  17. "Kalinda Howarth named All Australian". goldcoastfc.com.au. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
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