GIPPSLAND Power forward Abby Hobson opted for Aussie rules over tennis because of the “team atmosphere”, and now the contested marking talent enters her top-age season as one to watch from the Power as she strives to make the Vic Country side and go on to achieve her ultimate dream of reaching the AFLW.

We spoke to the Power player at the recent Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day.

LAST SEASON STATISTICS

Q&A

Q: Abby, tell us a bit about your footy journey?

AH: “I started when I was about 14 with the boys in the mixed team because I gree up playing tennis from about three. Tennis is a very individual sport so I just relied on myself, and then grew up around footy my whole life because dad played and then always had a footy in my hand and grew to love it more than tennis with the team atmosphere around it. Had to decide between tennis and footy and obviously chose footy.”

Q: How’s the preseason been?

AH: “It’s been pretty eye-opening all the hard work you got to put in. But hopefully it all pays off one day.”

Q: You’ve played mostly forward, is that where you see yourself again this year?

AH: “Mostly centre half-forward, trying to push up the ground and then work back around deep, but hopefully get into the midfield or maybe run off half-back this season maybe.”

Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?

AH: “Definitely my aerial marking, it’s one of my strengths and finding myself around goals especially as well.”

Q: What about some of your improvements?

AH: “Definitely groundballs, getting to the contest. If I play in midfield, I have to make it to contest.”

Q: Which AFL/W club you support?

AH: “Sydney (men’s) and Melbourne (women’s).”

Q: What’s the story behind those selections?

AH: “My mum was a Carlton supporter so when when I got old enough to choose and dad was Sydney so that was for the men’s. For the girls I live near Casey Fields so I get to go watch the girls games so just went and supported Melbourne there.”

Q: What’s the travel like living near Casey Fields but having to train in Gippsland?

AH: “Yeah down in Morwell it’s a pretty big drive, an hour and 10, an hour and 20 on a good day. There’s a lot of driving but grateful for mum and dad that they’re there for that.”

In terms of whose had the most individual influence on your career?

AH: “Probably my dad because he always grew up around footy and can always give me a bit of knowledge of what I need to do and what I’m doing good at, and my grandparents as well, they’ve always been there for me.”

Q: What goals do you set for yourself?

AH: “The end goal hopefully is to see myself drafted at the end of this year and maybe even to a VFL club, but that’s hopefully the end result.”

Q: What are you hoping to achieve throughout the year?

AH: “I’d like to make the Vic squad. I was unfortunate to not get picked last year, but I was in the summer hub over the break and then hopefully will be fortunate to be picked for that and just keep working towards the goal at the end of the year.”