NORTHERN Knights skipper Phoebe Hargreaves overcame an injury interrupted preseason due to a plantar fasciitis in her foot to find her place inside 50 for both the Knights and Vic Metro. Hargreaves is the younger sister of recent Richmond AFLW draftee Zoe, and though the pair are different footballers, have followed the same pathway to the top junior ranks.
We spoke to Hargreaves at the Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day as she was recovering from her injury.
Q: Phoebe, tell us a bit about your journey?
PH: “I started playing footy in Under 10s. My cousin asked me and my sister to come and join the Under 10s Fitzroy team. That was the inaugural team so we all played together that was really fun. We went through all the ranks, through the Fitzroy teams and then did YJFL rep teams and then got invited to Northern Knights and that took off and I did a few Metro things so that’s been good.”
Q: How’s it been like playing alongside your sister and following the same pathway?
PH: “I think it’s pretty special. To be able to play with your sister, a lot of people don’t get to experience that at such a high level as well. She’s such a good role model, seeing how she even balanced school and footy and how she took that on was a really good thing to model off so I know how to go about it this year.”
Q: How has your preseason been, and tell us about your injury?
PH: “It’s been pretty off and on, so some trainings its good, I’ll train the whole thing, other trainings I can barely get through, so it’s just managing that and the pain but I did a fair bit of training before Christmas and even after, but it’s more now where I’m a bit more restricted.”
Q: What role do you expect to play this year?
PH: “Not 100 per cent sure, probably a bit more mid, but definitely rolling through the forward as well.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
PH: “Probably my handball craft and my ability to lead on the field and help others out.
Q: What about the improvements you’re looking to make?
PH: “Definitely my tackling, that’s the biggest thing I want to work on this year. Just my technique and the ability to really run-down tackles.”
Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?
PH: “Carlton.”
Q: Even after Zoe got drafted?
PH: “I think I’ll go Carlton men’s and then Richmond AFLW because it’s probably not fair if I don’t go for Zoe.”
Q: What’s the story behind the original support for Carlton?
PH: “Well dad went for Carlton and we were born in Carlton as well so it all just made sense to go for the Blues.”
Q: Is there a player you look up to or model your game on?
PH: “Players like Mimi Hill, Jade Ellenger, Mon Conti, I think they’re all very good athletes in midfield so I think I’d model my game off them.”
Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career?
PH: “My parents, my family, my sister. I think they’re all pretty helpful with managing if it’s like high pressure or stress or injuries, they’re always there to help me out.”
Q: What goals do you set yourself for this year?
PH: “I think overall the goal would be to get drafted, but to be honest just to have a really fun year and just enjoy my footy and play good footy.”
Q: On the draft, now you can obviously get drafted interstate, how does that sit with you?
PH: “I think it sits pretty well. I mean I think even moving interstate would be such a good experience. I’d be happy to go anywhere and I think all clubs have their own pros and cons.”
