Not only was the 11-year-old named in the NSW merit side but she was also named South Coast's the player of the tournament.

"I was shocked first when they called my name out to say I was the player of the tournament for South Coast," Huender said.

"Then when they called my name out for the NSW team, I was even more in shock and it felt like a dream.

"I didn't think I would get in the NSW team because all the girls in my team played awesome.

"I was super excited that I got picked."

The year six student's path to this selection started when her friend Grace Vernon-Rogers encouraged her to join the Kiama Power.

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After picking up the game quickly, Huender was earlier this year named in the South Coast squad following trials at Batemans Bay.

The side, coached by Steve Armstrong, opened their May 7 carnival at the Blacktown International Sportspark with a close 10-9 win against Metropolitan West in the pouring rain.

South Coast backed this up with wins against Northern Coastal and Inland (32-12) and Mid-North Coast and Inland (42-18).

Their winning streak came to an end in game four, when they lost a tough contest 31-6 to Metropolitan East.

They returned to the winner's circle in game five though, edging Southern Inland 32-31, in what Huender labelled her 'best game'.

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"I thought I played really well during the tournament," Huender, whose South Coast side finished second overall, said.

"I gave it my all in the last game.

"I enjoyed playing as a team and we played great as we had never played together before."

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Huender won't get the chance to play for her state, with August's national in Adelaide being cancelled.

But that doesn't make her achievement any less special.

"The selection means a lot to me because of my dream to become an AFLW player," said Huender, who was named in the NSW merit team alongside South Coast teammates Heidi Smith (Pambula PS) and Darcy Weber (Stanwell Park PS).

"And by doing this, it's getting me closer to that dream, while also giving me confidence in my ability."

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The midfielder, who also plays up forward, has now set a new goal she'd like to achieve on the field.

"I try to get out and kick the ball every afternoon," she said.

"I think if I'm kicking every day, I will become a better footballer.

"Also the more I play, the more I love it.

"All this is to try and help me get picked in the GWS Academy again next year, or even for the Sydney Swans Academy - which is a goal I'm now focusing on."

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