NORTHERN Knights top-ager Marlo Graham has had a sensational start to her 2025 season and despite injury keeping her out for a little while, has not dropped off since stepping up for Vic Metro in their most recent two games.

Graham spoke to us at the Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, game and goals for the year ahead, of which a couple she has already ticked off.

Q: Marlo, give us a rundown into your footy journey to where you are now?

MG: “I started football pretty young. I started Auskick when I was five. Played at Parkside Junior Football Club and played with the boys Under 8s, Under 9s which was pretty fun. Then was in the inaugural girls team at Parkside. Played with them and I’m still registered with them, so that was a pretty good team. Started playing some school football firsts for Ivanhoe Grammar and then progressed and got into Knights Under 16s, played a bit of Under 18s football as a double bottom-ager and I’ve just been with the Knights ever since, put all my energy into that.”

Q: How’s it been for you progressing through the pathways and now being involved with the Knights leadership?

MG: “It’s been amazing, it’s been so cool to be able to develop that part of my game, the leadership as well as something I guess as a double bottom-ager you don’t really think about. But just having the girls around me especially when I was really young in the program, just inspired me to build that part of my game and be that person that other girls can look to for leadership and for support.”

Q: What was it like captaining one of the Under 17 Futures teams last year?

MG: “Oh yeah that was amazing. That was a moment I didn’t expect for one, but something that was really cool and just to be a part of such as an amazing team with such great footballers and to be able to lead them is something that I definitely don’t take for granted.”

Q: What role do you expect to play this year?

MG: “I’d say mostly mid and then maybe you’ll see me rotating forward a little bit.”

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

MG: “I’d say probably my tackling’s one, and my clean hands at ground level.”

Q: What about some of the improvements you’re looking to make?

MG: “My improvements I’d just say bodywork against bigger players, trying to get on top in the stoppages, and obviously still work on aerial as well.”

Q: Which AFL/W club you support?

MG: “I support Carlton.”

Q: Is there a reason for that?

MG: “Not in particular, just dad goes for them so it just passed through the family.”

Q: Is there a player you model your game on?

MG: “I’d say Tyla Hanks or try and model my game off Monique Conti as well.”

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

MG: “I’d say I’ve had lots of great coaches, but probably my biggest influence is my parents. Just the sacrifices they’ve made for me to be in the position I am today.”

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

MG: “Probably just have fun with the my football, play my best football and hopefully go national champs and get drafted at the end of the year.”