NORTHERN Territory talent Grace Mulvahil is keen to build consistency through her second season in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s, with the 19-year-old getting a taste of what it takes to compete in 2022. The 172cm utility moved from her more traditional half-back role into the forward half for Norwood in the second half of last season, but is looking for greater consistency this season.

Mulvahil came through the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Women’s pathway with Southern Districts and had a glittering junior career for the Crocs. Despite earning a spot with the Allies in 2021 and averaging 10.5 disposals, 2.0 marks and 3.5 tackles at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, the teenager missed out on being picked up in the AFLW Draft.

>> GRACE MULVAHIL FEATURE

Determined to better herself, Mulvahil made the move to Adelaide where she would represent Norwood in 10 matches, averaging 8.9 disposals, 1.1 marks and 1.3 rebound 50s per game. After playing defence across the first six rounds, the Northern Territory prospect went forward and slotted three goals in a huge win over West Adelaide. She would kick just 1.2 over the next three weeks inside 50, but showed off her remarkable versatility.

“I’m one of the quicker players usually. I’m competitive, I hate to lose,” Mulvahil said of describing herself. “I will use it (speed) either off half-back flank explode out of there, or when I’m forward I use it to just make space from my defender, or run around them once the ball is on the ground.”

Despite being an athletic speedster, Mulvahil said she looks up to a Essendon key forward, though for her defensive role, it was a player a little less surprising.

“I’m an Essendon supporter so Peter Wright, and those types of players in the forwardline at Essendon,” she said. “As a half-back flanker, Adam Saad is one to look up to there.”

Mulvahil said she played better as a forward because she felt “more confident and comfortable there”, though admits she is looking to improve her aerial marking and her fitness after having to rehab over the preseason.

Two players she looks up to are Lateesha Jeffrey and Alison Ferrall, both of whom she said took her under their wings when she was new to the respective Southern Districts and Norwood programs. Now in the Redlegs colours, Mulvahil has clear goals in mind from both a team, and individual perspective.

“Obviously we want to win the premiership and then goals individually I just want to play a good season,” Mulvahil said. “I didn’t perform as well as I wanted to last year, so I hope to improve that.”