ONE HALF of a talented sister duo, Mizuki Brothwell has rapidly made her way through the pathways. Moving up alongside twin Nalu at the Dandenong Stingrays, Brothwell has only been playing a couple of years, but went from running around at Balnarring to a member of the National Academy.

>> AFLW Draft Q&A: Nalu Brothwell

Brothwell first got a taste of Stingrays through the diversity pathway with her eligibility for that coming from her Japanese-born mother. Since getting a taste for high-level junior football, she has come along in leaps and bounds and we spoke to her at the Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing about her journey, game and what it’s like having these experiences alongside her sister.

Q: Mizuki, tell us a bit about your football journey?

MB: “I started footy I think it was two years ago. Played for Balnarring because all my friends did, and then played some interleague which was fun and then got the call-up from the Stingrays and started training there because we had a diversity game. Then we played that and then Josh (Moore, former Stingrays coach) we could continue training with the Stingrays, so we just kept training and then made it to preseason last year and did the whole preseason and then debuted for the Stingrays in Round 1.”

Q: Having a twin sister with you coming through the pathways, what’s that been like?

MB: “It’s been so helpful. It’s helped me with confidence because we’re doing it together and you’ve always got someone there. It’s been good doing it together because we can build off each other and give each other feedback.”

Q: Making the National Academy, what was that like when you got told?

MB: “That was surreal, I honestly could not believe it when I got told I was in the team. So grateful for the opportunity to be in it and for everyone who’s helped me get there. It’s really cool.”

Q: In terms of your role played a fair bit off half-back last year, is that where you see yourself this year or further up the field?

MB: “I think I’ll be mainly in the half-back line again but maybe a little bit of inside mid as well.”

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

MB: “My run and carry is probably my biggest strength, and my intercept making and reading the play and just like running and using my height.”

Q: What are you looking to improve on?

MB: “Probably I would say my contested marking when I’m up against a player. I feel like my intercept marking is good when I don’t have much pressure, but I think more like pressure and contested ball is what I want to improve on this year.”

Q: What AFL/W club do you support?

MB: “Essendon.”

Q: Is there a reason for that?

MB: “My dad goes for the Bombers. Half the family goes for Hawthorn, but mainly the Bombers.”

Q: In terms of a player you look up to or model your game on?

MB: “Maddi Gay from the Bombers. I love watching her and I feel like I try to get some ideas off how she plays the game.”

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

MB: “My parents and my sister. They’ve helped me out driving me to games and everything.”

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

MB: “Consistency and just playing every game as best as I can, and training hard and raising my standards.”