AFTER overcoming an ankle injury leading up to her bottom-age championships, Brisbane Lions Academy member, Lily Postlethwaite continues to take her footy to the next level with the 18-year-old loving every moment of her journey so far. Draft Central spoke to her last year regarding how her love for footy blossomed and what she endured to overcome her injury.

Awarded the Queensland captaincy, Postlethwaite was not overawed by the added responsibility standing up to the occasion throughout the Championships and showcasing her elite talent through the midfield with her daring style of play, quick hands and good vision across the ground.

“(Captaining Queensland) is a real honour for me, I’ve loved leading the group this year and it’s been a great experience for me,” she said. “Sometimes you forget about yourself when you’re trying to make sure everyone else is up but it’s all part of the challenge and I’m really enjoying it so far.”

Postlethwaite has enjoyed a continuous ride to the top with the dynamic midfielder rewarded for her efforts on the field making it into the Winter Series team and playing with a host of AFLW stars.

“On the footy side of things my game has improved a lot… I’ve made the Winter Series team which has given me great experience with lots of AFLW players which has been great so just learning off them which has been really good,” she said.

The up-and-coming midfielder has relished the opportunity to play with the experienced girls, absorbing every bit of knowledge and applying it to her own game.

“It’s really good,” she said. “All the girls are so welcoming and you just learn so much off them and it’s just that next step that shows you where you’re at I guess, if you’re up for it or not.”

Despite all the accolades and chances to develop her skills at a higher level, Postlethwaite is still well aware of the improvements needed to make it to the top tier.

“Probably just play consistent footy and don’t drop below, like to always keep improving I guess and to not be set like ‘I’m good now’, you’ve always just got to keep getting better,” she said. “I’ve always got to keep improving.”

Although Postlethwaite does not have a particular inspiration she has a multitude of players that have helped guide and develop her throughout her budding career which she attributes a great deal of her success to.

“Probably some of the girls that were in this (Queensland) team last year like Jade Ellenger and Nat Grider, they’ve been great,” she said. They just welcome you so much, make you feel comfortable and everything like that. And then I’m probably learning off players like Emily Bates, she’s just a great player.”

Not only have they inspired her on-field with their courageous actions, clever game play and skill but so too off field with their training regime and dedication.

“For sure, the off-field side like the professionalism, your (rehabilitation), your recovery and everything like that – you just watch them and it’s really important,” she said.

When looking closer to home, it is her parents that have played a major role in her success and development with Postlethwaite noting their influence and commitment to fulfilling her footy dreams.

“Mum and Dad are really good, they’re always there for me which is really good and keeps me going,” she said.