Kangaroos player Ash Riddell has entire school behind her ahead of Saturday's AFLW grand final

If a crop of talented footballers happens to emerge in Melbourne's north-east in the future, all eyes should turn to Ash Riddell.

The 29-year-old football star won the AFLW best and fairest on Monday, and is gearing up for a premiership tilt alongside her Roos teammates against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night. 

But in the week leading up to the big game, she's also working hard at her other job — teaching, and inspiring, her grade 6 students at Glen Katherine Primary School in Eltham North.

And those pupils, and the rest of the school community, are absolutely pumped.

"I've tried to watch every game I can. Ever since I've known her, I really like following Miss Atkinson." (Riddell goes by her married name in the classroom).

He'll be watching the grand final on TV and hopes to one day play in the big leagues, just like his teacher.

Tahli is not in the footballer's class, but feels inspired by the AFLW player anyway.

"I still watch her every game that she plays and I just love learning new skills from her," says the 11-year-old, who wants to be a professional footballer or basketballer when she's older.

"I reckon she would be proud of herself because it's a big achievement and it's amazing to see a teacher at my school win a Brownlow."

After winning the best and fairest on Monday, Riddell was back in the thick of school life on Wednesday.

"The kids were beautiful — they decorated the classroom while I was at training, and I'm certainly feeling the love from them all," she says.

"It's nice being back here at school, being back in routine and a little bit of normality, but it'll also be nice to go back to training [on Thursday] and see the girls and get prepped for the weekend."

Riddell, who has taught at the school for several years, says she's lucky to be at a school that's so supportive of her having two careers. 

She believes it helps her performance on the field because the kids distract her from dwelling on any highs or lows of the game.

Plus there's plenty of transferable skills.

"I love teaching, it's my passion and I try and use some of those strategies to help our younger players on the field with football," Riddell says.

"If I can sort of bring them into the game and make them feel confident and safe and feel like they belong, that's I guess my main aim.

"And that's obviously the aim in teaching, that kids come to school and feel safe and welcomed and obviously learn a few things along the way, but learn how to be really good people as well."

Principal Gerard Fay says there's plenty of excitement around the school this week, particularly after the best and fairest win by Riddell — aka Mrs Atkinson.

"We knew she had a fantastic season so it brought a great hype to the school, and again just reiterated what a fantastic person she is and the role modelling she has for our students," he says.

"We hope we're having a double celebration at the school next of a best and fairest player as well as a premiership player, so we're really excited about the weekend ahead."

Many students, parents and staff will be at the game, including 11-year-old Magnus, who's been following the team from the beginning.  

When he grows up, he wouldn't mind being a teacher, no doubt inspired by his impressive role model.

For her part, Riddell loves the fact she might be inspiring the players of the future.

"And to see them speak so glowingly and that they want to play football too."

She's also happy to know some of her students will be in the stands, or watching on TV, this Saturday.

"And they'll tell me if I miss any shots at goal, so I'd better make sure I kick a bit straighter this week compared to last week," Riddell jokes.