There are a number of former footballers who have left for other codes including Ellyse Perry who is now a cricketer and Bri Davey who plays for Carlton in AFLW. 

Current W-League players Ellie Brush and Jenna McCormick are both playing AFLW and Football.

Ayres has experience playing for Victoria U18s and played more than 50 games for Melbourne in the Premier Cricket first and second XI competitions.

The 18-year-old was nominated for Young Footballer of the Year in January and has no plans of leaving for the bat and ball.

“The leagues are growing and a lot of girls have gone over to the AFL and cricket, but I think women’s soccer is taking the lead at the moment,” Ayres said.

“I did like cricket, but I like the way soccer is growing more than cricket at the moment. I’m enjoying it more, but maybe in the future I’ll go to the Big Bash League.”

Ayres also impressed in the past two NPLVIC seasons, claiming the golden boot on both occasions. She scored 39 goals from 27 games for champions South Melbourne last year and 22 goals in 23 games for Alamein FC in 2016.

The teenager has scored two goals this season which came in consecutive weeks, both being called as Goal of the Round.

Former Matilda Melissa Barbieri questioned whether NPLVIC was too easy for Ayres, however she’s remaining with South this season.

Ayres will also be studying Environmental Science at Deakin University during the offseason and will remain in Melbourne before trying her luck overseas.

“Overseas would be really cool, but I’m starting uni, so I’m sticking with South for now,” she said.

“I don’t think NPL is too easy… we had a really good team last year and playing with Lisa (De Vanna), she put a lot on a platter for me.

“There’s a big gap, but it’s getting better. The competition you come up against in the W-League is world class, people come from other countries and half of them are Matildas.

“I was in the Young Matildas, we went to China last year, but we didn’t qualify for the U-20 World Cup. The next thing is to make the Matildas team.

“Alex Chidiac and girls I’ve played with are getting into the teams now, but I think one or two good seasons of W-League and I might get a spot.”