TOP Queensland AFLW draft prospect Sienna McMullen was like many kids growing up, doing “pretty much any sport under the sun” but ended up choosing Aussie rules due to its uniqueness in the sporting landscape.

“I did cross country, Oztag, touch. I did lots of swimming, triathlons, pretty much any sport under the sun,” McMullen said. “I used to stay active around the house, my family’s a very active family.

“I just like the freedom of the game. The biggest part for me is definitely the social part. I love playing footy with my friends and all that. It’s a bigger team than a normal side. Individual sports, I don’t really have as much motivation to do them as much, but footy team’s just so much better. It keeps you fit and healthy at the same time, so why not?”

A down to earth talent who described herself as always willing to give sport “a crack”, McMullen moved up to Queensland from Sydney at the end of 2020. Soon she connected with teammate Havana Harris‘ mother who directed her to the Suns Academy tryouts and in McMullen’s words “it’s taken off from there”.

The winger quickly became an eye-catching player, with her daring dashes and repeat contest work on the outside a feature of her game. Spending some time in defence for Queensland at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, McMullen said she her most preferred role is the wing.

“I really enjoy any position but wing’s definitely my favourite and most comfortable at the moment,” she said.

As for her strengths, it is no surprise that like anyone watching her glide around the ground, that her “speed on the ball” is a key feature of her game.

“I think that’s what one of my main attributes are, to run away and just provide numbers to the contest to help out my teammates,” McMullen said. “That’s what I aim to do, if my game isn’t working then I can at least try and help my team out.”

Working on improving her contest hands and getting it in a congested situation is what McMullen has been working on doing, adding that inside element to her game. But her overall profile – and first round potential – was quickly noticed by AFLW Academy head coach Tarkyn Lockyer, with McMullen added into the 30-strong Academy.

“To be honest I didn’t know that team that I could actually get picked for that team, so when I got the call from ‘Tarks’ I couldn’t believe it,” McMullen said recalling the moment she was told about her inclusion in the Academy.

“I was in denial, I thought maybe it was a dream or something. Then I hung up the phone and ran to my parents and I had him on speaker and I was just agreeing to everything because what else can you do? I just could not stop being so excited and people started congratulating me and I didn’t realise how big of an opportunity I had until I was actually in the team, so I was very grateful for that.”

Having a blast meeting other players, McMullen has learnt plenty from her experiences from around the country, and earning a chance to run out at Marvel Stadium donning the Australia jumper against the Under 23 All-Stars was special.

“Definitely just seeing the girls from all around Australia and just the coaching and how the professionalism standards that need to be met to be in the AFLW Academy was a bit of a wake up call,” McMullen said. “It was good to see just the work rate that other girls do and where I needed to be at, but the whole experience was just amazing.”

McMullen has not been without some setbacks this year, breaking her hand and missing three matches for the Suns Academy. When she did play, she impressed, with the Gold Coast fan – who also supports Collingwood in the men’s competition – always looking to soak up information from others.

“I try and watch (a lot of footy), it’s one of my main things, I watch it as much as I can and hope it can sink back into my brain and then get back out on the field and try and execute it,” McMullen said

The link to the Pies comes from her touring of the facilities, where McMullen was blown away by the quality, and though she would “love to stay home” on the Gold Coast, said she was willing to relocate anywhere to earn her chance.

The AFLW Draft date is yet to be confirmed but with mid-December touted, it is fast approaching. Like all players, McMullen set her sights on the draft and set her goals at the start and mid-season.

“For my goals throughout the year is to obviously to play my Suns Academy even though I did injure myself in which was a bit of a downfall and then play my National Academy which I was really grateful that I did have a good game for that,” McMullen said. “Now Queensland I want to try and play my best three games there because that will hopefully set me up for a good end of season, the draft.”

McMullen averaged 12 disposals, three marks, three tackles and 2.7 rebound 50s for the Maroons at the national championships, and maintained her place as one to watch from the Suns Academy.