EASTERN Ranges contested ball-winner Zoe Wilkinson is a player who has had her share of interruptions over the lat 12 months, but is fit and firing in season 2025. Wilkinson has found her place as that inside midfielder for the Ranges allowing others to roll to flanks, while also being able to rest forward herself.
Across five games this season, Wilkinson is averaging 12.8 disposals, 3.0 clearances and 3.2 tackles per game, hitting the scoreboard twice in that time. Showing her contested side, Wilkinson boasts a massive contested possession winning rate of 64.1 per cent. The continuity comes after being limited to just eight games last season as a bottom-ager, due to a concussion and “niggly ankle injury”.
We spoke to Wilkinson at the Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day to find out more about her game and what she hopes to accomplish.
Q: Zoe, tell us a little about your footy journey?
ZW: “Started footy at a pretty early age at seven, eight years-old and then played with the boys in junior footy then obviously got into high school i had to transition into the girls and then just made it into Eastern Ranges.”
Q: What’s it been like been part of the Victorian State Hub?
ZW: “It’s amazing, the level’s just so much better, it’s a great environment.”
Q: What kind of role do you envision yourself playing this year?
ZW: “Inside mid.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
ZW: “My contested ball and power, my decision making and my groundballs.”
Q: What about improvements in your game?
ZW: “Driving my legs to run and carry and then my stoppage craft.”
Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career?
ZW: “My dad.”
Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?
ZW: “Richmond for both.”
Q: Is there a player that you look up to at the top level?
ZW: “It was Dusty (Dustin Martin) for the men’s and then Monique Conti for the women’s.”
Q: In terms of then going forward, what goals do you set for yourself this year?
ZW: “Stay consistent in terms of staying injury free. Get drafted obviously and make Metro and hopefully get All-Australian maybe.”
