NATIONAL Academy member Sophie Eaton already has an impressive CV of accolades to her name, with the Central District premiership player, and Under 16s South Australian MVP and title-winning skipper one to watch in the upcoming 2025 AFLW Draft.
We spoke to the talented top-ager at the recent South Australian Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, role and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Sophie, tell us a bit about your football journey?
SE: “I started playing at Freeling which is my local club with the boys in Under 9s. Worked through the junior program there, moved a bit to Kapunda back and forth, then started at Centrals in the junior talent shields. Then went to the Crows Academy for a year and then the Centrals women’s team. Started training there and then got selected for the state stuff in 2023. Then played again last year.
Q: The 16s champs getting MVP, captaining the state for that title, what was that like?
SE: “It was incredible, it was pretty humbling. I didn’t expect any of it. I hadn’t really done much state stuff, I didn’t do any of the school sports, it was just a really cool experience.
Q: You’ve played a couple of different roles for Centrals forward and wing and for state mid, what’s your favourite position?
SE: “At the moment it would be wing. I love having the space to run and have my own my own space and aspect that it’s not always one-on-one, got my own space on the oval so I like that.”
Q: Do you reckon you’ll play wing for Centrals or somewhere else?
SE: “Yeah I’m pretty sure I will be playing wing.”
Q: For state do you think you’ll play there or somewhere else?
SE: “Onball maybe a bit more, but probably a bit on the wing as well. Not sure yet, we’ll see.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
SE: “I’d say probably kicking and run and carry with the ball. I like to get a bit of a run and have a bounce then kick.”
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
SE: “Probably the physical side of my game. Probably that around stoppages and contests, tackling as well.”
Q: Centrals couple of years ago won the flag then last year came close not quite, what do you think you need to do to go to the next level?
SE: “I’m not sure. I guess it’s all about connection. We’ve obviously got the players that it takes to win a premiership, it just depends how we perform on the day I suppose.”
Q: You’ve lost quite a few good players, Charlotte won’t play at all, Shelby retired, Jaz and Georgia here but won’t play full seasons, who are some of the other players who might come in and impact?
SE: “We’ve got a few, a lot of the young ones that are coming up. Some of the 16s. Charlotte Maurits will probably play a bit of League I reckon. We’ve got a few coming back and that we’ve picked up over the off-season so we should hopefully be able to fill their spots.”
Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career do you think?
SE: “I’d probably say Shelby Smith. When I joined Centrals, she was always just pushing me to be the best player I could be. Always put in the effort, always about work rate which is something I admire about her.”
Q: What club do you support at the top level?
SE: “Crows.”
Q: Is there anyone in particularly you’ve looked up to from the top level?
SE: “I’ve always looked up to Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall when I was younger. Obviously they were pretty influential for the Crows, and well still are, but probably I’d say Chelsea Randall has been a big one for me. Just the leadership and dedication to it all.
Q: You’re a part of the National Academy as well, what’s that been like as well?
SE: “Yeah it’s really cool. It’s a good experience, we’ve had one camp already which is pretty cool. We just learnt what it takes to be at the next level and the dedication that we have to put forward, so it was a really cool experience.”
Q: What goals do you set for yourself going forward?
SE: “This year it will just be leading up to the draft, so I just want to be the best I can be leading up to it. Hopefully get into the state squad and keep playing League at Centrals would be pretty good.”
Q: With the draft being national, is that something that has crossed your mind which might result in going interstate, how does that sit with you?
SE: “Yeah I find it pretty exciting. I wouldn’t mind going interstate, it’s a good experience I’d think. Would be cool to get out of Adelaide and explore Australia a bit. Would be good to stay home as well.”
