EASTERN Ranges dynamo Tayla McMillan is one of the most exciting AFLW Draft prospects for 2025, with the natural leader a contested ball-winning midfielder who is also developing her craft off half-back. She starred as a bottom-ager last season, and has a terrific balance of hardness and class which sets her aside from many of her peers.

We spoke to McMillan at the recent Coates Talent League Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, what it’s like to lead at a top-age level, and her goals for the year ahead.

Q&A:

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

TM: “I think it was 2018 was when I first started playing. I played at my local club, it was our first girls team. I wanted to play the year before but I couldn’t because there was no girls team and the boys team was full. Started in 2018, did school footy and then kept playing up until now at the junior club and then Eastern obviously.”

Q: Do you see yourself playing midfield this year or a bit of a different role?

TM: “I’d probably say midfield again this year but also try at half-back see how I go there. I did junior footy there and just try for that secondary role to have that up my sleeve as well.”

Q: Getting invited to the National Academy and being involved, what was has that been like?

TM: “That was pretty exciting. We had the Futures tryouts which was pretty cool in itself, and then getting the email saying ‘you’ve been selected for the squad’, that was pretty surreal. It was really exciting. Then the training camps that we had over the holidays, that was really fun as well. Really all the talent you can see it come together from everywhere.”

Q: Eastern has been strong squad, and now you’re at the top-age level what have you taken from past players and now hoping to impart on the group?

TM: “We’re now top-age which is kinda crazy as well. We went to our first meeting, it didn’t hit until that meeting. Just to train how you want to play. Intensity everything, if you’re not going to train the way you want to play, then you’re probably going to play the way that you train. If your intensity is not there, then you’re probably not going to have it in a game. High standards with everything that you do.”

Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?

TM: “I go for Carlton.”

Q: What’s the story behind that?

TM: “My dad he went for Carlton, my mum went for Essendon and then dad said that I could be an Essendon supporter but then I grew up and wanted to be Carlton so I’ve been Carlton since then.”

Q: Which players you look up to or model your game on?

TM: “I think Keeley Sherar. Obviously she went through Eastern, I watched her a couple of games this year on the TV and it was cool watching her play and what she did on the ground. I look up to her a bit.”

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

TM: “Probably my family because my brothers played, my dad played. I wouldn’t have been involved if I hadn’t because I went to Auskick with my brothers so if I didn’t have them, then I probably wouldn’t have gotten into it, I would have stuck to basketball or netball.”

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

TM: “Obviously long-term the end goal is to hopefully get drafted. For the season it’s just get myself to the best ability that I can for that and just have a consistent year, work on my weaknesses, continue to grow my strengths and just play the best footy that I can.”