Footy chicks with Brownlow dreams

by FIONA HARRIS & KATRINA MATHERS

AUSSIE Rules is a man's world. But behind every gritty defender or star full forward there lurks a league of silent champions - "the girlfriends" - the women who seem to only be defined by the success of their boyfriend, or the success of their latest outfit. But like any other women they have dreams of their own, it just so happens that sometimes these dreams involve going to football's night of nights - the Brownlow.

Although Footballers' Wives gave us a soap-like insight into the high rolling world of professional soccer in the UK, we still know very little about the women who appear on the arms of our greatest male sporting celebrities on red carpets all around the country. So we have created Footy Chicks Fran Johnston & Jane Frayne.

Fran and Jane are the best of friends and they pretty much do everything together. Fran is a strong, intelligent bookworm who has been in a relationship with two-time Brownlow Medal winning footballer Brian for five years. Although she doesn't really care for the game itself, and is not particularly fond of the whole Australian football culture, she still hopes that this year will be the year he pops the question.

Jane is a footy nut, she just loves her football, in fact she actually wants to play football. But being flat-chested, boisterous and somewhat less graceful than Fran means that Jane is often overlooked in the footy world. A devout Collingwood supporter and serious fan of the game, she'd give anything to score a date to the Brownlow.

From beanies to lipgloss and back again - this is a story about friendship; soul searching; false fingernails and lots of other footy stuff.

Footy note: Fiona Harris and Katrina Mathers have an unfair advantage when it comes to the world of football - Fiona's father Spike is the team manager for the Melbourne football club. The two have been friends for years and recently appeared together in the ABC TV comedy series Flipside.

Footy Chicks runs until 19 April at Melbourne Town Hall, cnr Swanston & Collins Streets on Tuesday-Saturday at 7.15pm and Sundays 6.15pm. it last the full 50 minutes. Bookings at www.ticketmaster7.com.au or 1300 660 013 or at the Melbourne Town box office.

Katrina Mathers & Fiona Harris

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