STURT junior Edwina Thornquest has her sights set on returning to the forwardline in 2025 after playing primarily as a key defender for the Double Blues and Croweaters. She still spent time in attack in bits, but was largely stationed up the other end to increase her versatility though now she is “loving” what the upcoming season could hold.

“I’ve been put down forward which is really good, that is my preference so I’m really happy about that because I’ve been playing defence for state the past couple of years so I feel like I’m quite on track and loving how it’s going,” Thornquest said.

“I’ve been loving preseason this year, I really missed it throughout those months off. “I feel like I’ve been putting in a lot more hard work this season. “I’ve been doing those gym sessions, those extra running sessions and I’ve been feeling pretty good.”

Thornquest’s journey is not too dissimilar to others through the program, starting football through her school as a fun lunchtime activity, and she quickly took to it. Local club, Sturt juniors and then seniors, and the state program all followed in a linear pathway, with the tall unlukcy not to debut in the SANFL Woomen’s as a double bottom-ager, but instead getting her chance last season.

Thornquest played 11 games and as a key defender, averaged 5.4 disposals and 1.5 marks, though did get forward to kick a couple of goals as well. For South Australia, she was a late inclusion for game three and had five touches, a mark and a rebound 50.

Describing herself as a “hard working” and “fun” player who likes to bring the vibes around the group, Thornquest looks up to Port Adelaide forward Ash Saint due to the AFLW star’s ability to impact not just close to goal, but up the ground as well.

“I love Ash Saint just because she’s so versatile,” Thornquest said. “You can put her in mid and she’d just dominate, you can put her down full-forward and she’ll take marks and kick goals.”

The Port supporter sees the strengths in her own game as her kicking, marking and leading patterns, while focusing intently on clean groundballs and athletic traits such as her speed, agility and endurance.

Over the years, Thornquest has had no shortage of mentors who have helped keep her on track, and help her develop to the player she is today.

“I’d say definitely my mum,” Thornquest said. “She’s been a massive key part of where I’ve gotten to know. She’s put in that extra work to get me to all these trainings. “The amount of hours she’s had to spend waiting around, doing laps of the oval, she’s definitely put in a lot of hard work to get me where I am.

“I would also say Bek McMahon my Under 16s state coach. “She was very family based and she really put the players first and really to great lengths to understand them and get to know them instead of just being a coach and primarily just focusing on football.”

As 2025 is Thornquest’s draft year, the top-ager said her main goal was to just focus on enjoying her season rather than think too far ahead.

“I think I get in my head a lot, especially last season, so just build up my confidence so that I can actually do things,” she said. “Take the game on, and enjoy it with my friends.”