Q&A: Emma Kilpatrick (West Adelaide)
WEST Adelaide top-ager Emma Kilpatrick is a rebounding defender with a booming and reliable kick. After making the final squad of 30 for South Australia last year but not quite being able to crack into the side, the Bloods defender has set her sights on locking down a role in the best 21. We spoke to her at the SANFL Women’s Preseason Testing Day.
Q: Emma, tell us a bit about your footy journey?
EK: “I started when I was about 10 at SMOSH West Lakes under Anthony Forby and then I played there for a couple of years and then I moved to Henley when I was about 14 or 15. From there I was lucky enough to get picked into the Under 16s carnival at Westies and then they noticed me and now I’m in the women’s program.”
Q: Last year you made the SANFLW state squad, what was it like?
EK: “It was a good learning experience. Got to see all the other talent around South Australia. Worked with new people that you play with in the SANFL and it was good.”
Q: How have you found playing that defensive role at Westies?
EK: “It’s good, I like playing the higher half-backs, I get to run off and use my kick. Hopefully I can play in that higher role this year again.”
Q: What are some of your strengths?
EK: “I definitely like to attack the ball, I’ve got a long leg.”
Q: What about the improvements you’re looking to make?
EK: “Definitely my fitness and my repeat efforts because they’re not very good. Hopefully I can use that to move myself into the midfield a bit this year.”
Q: Which players at the elite level do you model your game on?
EK: “Definitely someone like Chelsea Randall, the way she goes in hard, she gets the ball. Ebony Marinoff, she’s also another one.”
Q: Who has had the most influence on your personal career?
EK: Definitely my family, my dad and my mum and my brothers. I grew up with a lot of male cousins and we always played footy in the backyard and they’ve always pushed me.”
Q: What AFL/W club you support?
EK: “Port Adelaide.”
Q: What goals do you set for yourself in 2024?
EK: “I definitely want to make the state squad of 30. Hopefully get a game this year, and then also just to be consistent in League footy.”
Q: Now being one of the older ones in the State Academy, what do you want to offer to the younger players?
EK: “I want to be a good role model for the younger ones coming up and lead by example.”
Q&A: Megan Norbury (West Perth)
WEST Perth winger Megan Norbury posted one of the best yo-yo times at the Preseason Testing Day, with the top-age runner one of a number of West Australian AFLW draft prospects this year. We spoke to Norbury at the event about her football journey, game and future goals. Q: Megan, tell us about your footy […]
Academy experience helps Williams develop
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Q&A: Havana Harris (Gold Coast Suns Academy)
ONE of the top players in this year’s AFL Women’s draft crop is Gold Coast Suns Academy tall Havana Harris. The potential pick one star is as athletic as anyone going around, standing at above 180cm with explosive speed and the capability to roll up to stoppages as both the ruck and a midfielder. We […]
Swans’ Smith chases dream in Harbour City
TOP-AGE Sydney Swans Academy member Taylor Smith has quite the local awards cabinet for a budding AFL Women’s draft hopeful, with the Nelson Bay local hoping to make the most of her 2024 season. Often making the three-hour-plus trek from her home to train with the Swans Academy, the teenager is hoping the hard yards […]
Cook sets Country goal for 2024
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Mahony makes most of junior pathways
HAILING from a sheep farm on the outskirts of Beaufort, tall forward Claire Mahony became a sensation for the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels last season. In her first season in the program, slotted eight goals from 11 games and clunked 4.5 marks a match emphasising her strengths. Since moving from Beaufort to Lake Wendouree […]
Portaro aims to take game to “next level”
TOP-AGE Eagle Bianca Portaro is enjoying a promising start to the 2024 SANFL Women’s season, and is hoping to build that consistency throughout the year to give herself the best chance at reaching the top level. A midfielder at junior level, Portaro is gradually returning to her roots in the Woodville-West Torrens midfield after starting […]
Q&A: Seisia White (Geelong Falcons)
TENACIOUS forward Seisia White is a top-age talent who gained great experience through the Geelong Falcons as a bottom-ager last season. We spoke to the Vic Country hub member at the recent Coates Talent League Preseason Testing Day about her journey, big cross-country move and what goals she has set herself for 2024. Q: Seisia, […]
Q&A: Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)
GEELONG Falcons winger Mekah Morrissy has one of the largest tanks in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, and off the back of showing that through a top two finish in the yo-yo test for the competition, the hard-running outside talent is ready for a huge 2024 season. We spoke to the top-ager at the […]
