TALENTED key forward/ruck Dekota Baron is regarded as one of the top prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft. Having seriously developed over the last couple of years, the experienced Southport junior heads into her top-age season as a contested marking star and one who can improve even further.

We spoke to Baron at the Queensland Preseason Testing Day.

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

DB: “My journey started from probably the age of five, I was put straight into Auskick at school. From there I just fell in love with the game, so I just started playing at club with the boys, played with them for a while and then I switched over to the girls and I just loved it ever since.”

Q: Through the Suns pathway, Queensland and playing at QAFLW, what’s it been like transition from junior footy through to senior footy?

DB: “I feel like in Queensland we’ve got a really good program, I feel like even though I’m switching through so many different teams and going from juniors to seniors, I feel like they have a really good setup with it. I feel like the transition was seamless.”

Q: Last season in the QAFLW you tasted the ultimate success, what was that like?

DB: “It was such a good season and coming off a premiership win, it was a surreal feeling.”

Q: You’ve had a few accolades at that level, what’s it been like rewarded at that senior level?

DB: “It feels like the hard work that I’ve put in for so many years is paying off. I’m finally getting to where I want to be, and I’m achieving my goals.”

Q: Do you prefer key forward or ruck?

DB: “I definitely prefer being a key forward position, but if I’m told to go in the ruck then I’d love to get in there as well.”

Q: Do you think you’ll play more ruck now Havana Harris has left, or will someone else come in alongside Georja Davies and you’ll play more forward?

DB: “I reckon we’ll have someone else come in and I’ll be more forward. There’s a lot of tall young girls in our team this year.”

Q: Now you’re in your top-age season, how do you take the learnings you’ve had in the past and implement to other girls coming through?

DB: “For myself, I’m not much of a leader, but I feel like when I’m training around the girls I lead by example then, so I feel like even though I’m not telling the girls what to do, my actions show.”

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

DB: “I would say my contested marking is probably one of my strengths as well as goalkicking.”

Q: What improvements do you have to make?

DB: “Definitely my bodywork, I feel like that’s my biggest downside at the moment, and also maybe my defensive efforts need to improve a bit more.”

Q: Which AFL/W club have you supported?

DB: “This might be a little controversial, but the Lions. I’m a big diehard Lions supporter all my life. Now being in the Suns I feel I can barrack for them too.”

Q: Who is someone you look up to or model your game on at the top level?

DB: “Definitely Tayla Harris.”

Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career?

DB: “Maybe my family. Not one individual, but all of them together have definitely put in for me.”

Q: Finally, what goals do you set for yourself this year?

DB: “This year I hope to pay good consistent football across all different levels as well as improving in my leadership areas and areas I need to work on more and helping through the girls that are coming through the talent pathway now at the Suns. Also at the end of the year to get drafted.”