NORTHERN Knights dynamo Ava Jordan is looking to add another string to her bow this season when the talented midfield takes up a new role inside 50. The Knights’ top-ager stands at just 148cm, and if drafted she would become the smallest player in the AFL Women’s. Though that is some way off, Jordan has looked up to some impressive players at the top level.

“A little bit of a combination between Maddy Prespakis and Monique Conti,” Jordan said of players she models her game on. “Maddy Prespakis’ groundball work and inside the contest and Monique’s more outside midfielder game and contest work.”

Jordan has enjoyed a stellar junior career in the Victorian Under 18s elite system, having already represented Vic Metro and been a crucial player both with the ‘Big V’ and for the Knights. The experience playing for her state has helped the clean skilled midfielder to prepare for a huge 2023 season.

“A lot of experience I’ve had in the past with Metro so just learning off the girls above me and just their leadership and the way they go about their footy, it’s just helped me carry it into this year and also teach the younger girls for the future,” Jordan said.

Heading into the off-season, Jordan worked hard to build up her endurance, which was evident during an impressive Yo-yo test at the Coates Talent League Preseason Testing Day. Though she put in the work early in the preseason, Jordan suffered a small injury coming back after the Christmas break.

“Started off preseason really well actually, really energetic and the team was building together,” Jordan said. “Unfortunately coming back from the Christmas break even though I did all my running, I got a low grade strain to my quad, my left quad. Bit disappointing to be out for a couple of weeks, but I’m back into it for a couple of weeks which is good.”

Jordan lists her strengths as he clean ball use by hand or foot, particularly when winning a loose or hardball off the deck. While her hands at ground level are a terrific strength, she has been working hard on her endurance over the off-season and will look to hone in on her forward craft this season.

“Hopefully I get a little bit into the forward line as a small forward just to build my experience in the forward line as a bit of versatility,” Jordan said. “I can play as a midfielder, i have for a couple of years, but a little bit of versatility, bit more experience there.”

The Northern Knights talent supports Carlton in the men’s elite competition and the Western Bulldogs in the women’s – due to the high volume of Knights at the club – and will look to nominate Victoria at the end of year draft. Getting onto an AFLW list and doing well in her Year 12 studies to try and get into a science degree at university will be her two main focuses in 2023.

As for mentors along her football journey, Jordan was quick to thank her family for their support over the years.

“They’re a big part and influenced me a lot,” Jordan said. “Just taking me to trainings and games, every week. Doesn’t matter where it is, they’re always behind me supporting me through it which is really good.”

Northern Knights have a new coach at the helm for the 2023 season, with Allana Dickie taking over the reigns, and a host of former Knights including Gabby Newton, Jess Fitzgerald, Sarah Sansonetti and Maddy Guerin all involved in the program.

Jordan said Dickie had been “amazing” for her and the group, and was excited about the coaching staff as a whole and how the experience could develop the Knights’ list.

“She’s (Dickie) so positive, very focused, knows what she wants to get out of training every week,” Jordan said. “It just really benefits us going forward and improving for the future. The whole staff has been really positive and wanting us to learn and develop every week which is really good.”