HARD-RUNNING defender Sophie Thredgold had a breakout year for Sturt in the SANFL Women’s, becoming a feature in the team’s back five and cementing her spot in the South Australian Under 18s squad. Thredgold played all 14 games for the Double Blues, averaging 9.7 disposals, 2.6 marks and 2.6 rebound 50s in her bottom-age campaign.

Thedgold spoke to us at the recent South Australian Preseason Testing Day about her journey, experience in a new role, and her goals for the future.

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

ST: “I started in Under 12s, I was an all-rounder, I played all different kind of sports and one day dad was like ‘I’ll sign you up for local footy I think it would be fun’ because my school didn’t have a team. So I started playing, it was the first year of competitive footy, so we started scoring, I’d always done Auskick with my younger brother.

“Started playing for school and they brought a team in the year after that, and then played local for a while and then got accepted into the Under 14s Sturt pathway. Then went through there and then my top-age year of Under 14s or 15s I got asked to be in women’s program and then I played Dev and I’ve played like school all throughout as well and then been playing in the women’s program since.”

Q: Your experience playing through Sturt, what’s that been like for you?

ST: “It’s been really good. I think always having people to look up to, sort of building on even my own personal skills. I think having something to model off and copy has been really good. I think the exposure to all the older, more senior players even just learning to have a good time in a semi-professional environment has been really good for my footy so far.”

Q: You’ve spent a lot of time in defence, is that your preferred position?

ST: “Coming from an all-rounder sporting background, I’ve always just played midfield-forward for local as you do. When I got to Sturt they just said ‘we see qualities in you, we want you to be a defender’ and I was really shocked and I was like ‘oh I’ve never played defence before’ it was a foreign territory for me, and so when I was playing Development, I played a defence-midfield rotation a bit, so that was something I was bit a new to, getting those minutes in the mid and learning the defensive craft, but I’ve really grown comfortable there. At the moment I wouldn’t want to be moved anywhere else. I always gravitate towards grabbing the green bib and playing the defensive positions.”

Q: What is it about that role you enjoy?

ST: “Especially all through last year being given the opportunity to play across the half-back, using my speed, what I’d consider to be one of my strengths, being able to recognise ‘oh okay I can go and get that ball’ and being able to burst off and feel good to drive out of the backline and hit up a midfielder or a leading forward, it’s been really good, I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Q: Are you expecting to play there in 2025?

ST: “Yeah definitely. I think I’ll be more playing a defensive-attacking role especially with lots of the younger girls coming in. I’ve been in the program I think for three seasons now, so you can say I am one of the more senior players even though I am still one of the youngest. I think being in the backline for the younger girls will be good.”

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

ST: “Definitely my speed, and some of my contested marking as well. Like last year through the 18s state program I played as the fourth tall, so we would have a three-tall rotation and then when one of the talls would go off, I would play that chop-in tall option, so I think even though I’m not one of the taller players, I can play a bit of a taller game. Which is good, I think I’ve evolved that a little bit recently.”

Q: What about some of the improvements in your game?

ST: “Just being cleaner with the ball and also my stoppage craft has been a room for improvement as well. Just making everything come together all-round.”

Q: In terms of an individual, who has had the most influence on your career?

ST: “Definitely dad and my uncle who also played a fair few games for Sturt as a captain as well. They’ve definitely supported me the whole way through, and having cousins and friends who have played just encouraging me and saying ‘if you can continue with this you’ll go far’.”

Q: Which AFL/W club you support?

ST: “Crows.”

Q: Is there a player that you look up to or model your game on?

ST: “I really like the drive and tenacity that Ebony Marinoff brings, but also to be a Chelsea Randall or Erin Phillips as well.”

Q: What goals do you set for yourself this year?

ST: “I think there have been words that I might be getting a few minutes in the midfield, so to build myself up to that standard and being one of the leaders in the group as well. Being able to set a good example for the younger girls, and also driving myself to reach goals, obviously draft year pushing for that.”