TOP-AGE Vic Country representative Kayla Dalgleish is enjoying a strong season for Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, and backed up her form in that league with an eye-catching performance up forward for her state last weekend.

Dalgleish kicked two of her side’s four goals – as well as two behinds – from 12 disposals, two marks and three inside 50s in Country’s 21-point loss to Queensland at Brighton Homes Arena. She will front up again on Sunday when Vic Country clash with Vic Metro at Marvel Stadium, giving the talented teen a taste of her dream.

“Obviously the main one (goal) is getting drafted, but just playing every game, keep performing consistently and just enjoying my footy,” Dalgleish said at the Preseason Testing Combine.

Dalgleish’s football journey started at 11 years of age when her father went back and started playing locally which spurred her on to take up the sport. Having tried a variety of sports – with cricket and basketball the main two focuses – the Dandenong Stingrays prospect settled on pursuing a career in Aussie rules.

“I had more opportunities with footy, especially with girls programs coming through and I was starting of the age coming up, so it made it easier I would say,” Dalgleish said.

Dalgleish has played a variety of roles for the Stingrays, predominantly at half-forward and rotating through the midfield, but played out of the goalsquare against Gippsland Power in Round 4 when she slammed home five goals from 17 disposals in an eye-catching display.

Standing at 161cm, Dalgleish was actually the best performed athlete in the Preseason Testing, recording an incredible 92.2 per cent Physical Performance Rating (PPR), ranked equal first of the 777 athletes that tested. The PPR measures the variety of athletic tests including jumping, speed and agility, all strengths of the top-ager.

“I want to utilise my jump and my speed,” Dalgleish said of her strengths. “But probably still endurance, physically wise, endurance is what I’m pushing (as an improvement area).”

Looking up to the likes of Charlie Rowbottom and Britt Bonnici in the AFL Women’s space, the mad Pies fan said she also enjoys watching Beau McCreery for his selfless role inside 50, a role Dalgleish herself enjoys playing.

“I’m a Collingwood supporter, but love footy, it’s always on in our house, love watching it,” she said.

It comes as no surprise where the teenager – who turns 18 on Monday – would like to end up at.

“I’d have to play for the Pies, that’s my ultimate goal,” Dalgleish said. “But again don’t really care, getting drafted is getting drafted, same opportunities, but of course I want to wear the black and white.”

Vic Country takes on Vic Metro this Sunday at Marvel Stadium, with Country also facing Western Australia in the AFLW Under Under 18 Championships. Meanwhile Dalgleish’s Stingrays are on a three-game winning streak in the Coates Talent League as they edge closer to finals.