EASTERN Ranges athletic tall defender Bree Horne has come on in leaps and bounds throughout 2025, earning a call-up to Vic Metro off the back of being a lockdown back last season. Her athleticism has been on show throughout her top-age season and after missing the Coates Talent League Girls Preliminary Final due to illness, was able to return to win a premiership a fortnight later.

We spoke to Horne at the AFLW State Draft Combine where she detailed her football journey, how she found her top-age year, and some of the keys to her game.

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

BH: “I started very young doing athletics up until 2023. I went to nationals for that, so that kind of helped with footy overall. I started footy in 2017 I was Grade 4, at Rowville Hawks. Then that team folded so I moved to SBL (South Belgrave Lysterfield) Wolves and later that changed to Lysterfield and I took pathways like interleague and then the Futures Eastern and moving up to top-age this year which we just completed.”

Q: How did you find 2025 got included in Metro squad?

BH: “It was really good. Especially being able to adapt in such a short amount of time compared to the other girls around you that you’ve never met and adapting to their playing styles, their routine before footy. It was really good, a great experience.”

Q: Missed the prelim through illness but were able to come back for the grand final, what was that like for you?

BH: “It wasn’t great obviously. But just being able to keep back getting onto training as soon as I could and just staying up to my health really helped me getting back into the game and staying on top of my fitness in trainings.”

Q: Have you always played as a tall defender, or other roles as well?

BH: “All through local footy I was just like thrown everywhere but backline I’ve always liked. Then last year I was more of a deeper defender and then this year I got brought up to a key defender, so moving all around the backline, playing up at half-back, deeper. Playing up anywhere really, just playing on their best forwards.”

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

BH: “Definitely my speed and using my height to my advantage, and my closing speed.”

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

BH: “Contested aerial marking definitely, and I’m continually working on my ground balls, being clean below and the knees and I’m seeing improvements in that.”

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

BH: “Definitely my mum and dad, always supporting me no matter what, through everything. Driving me places, just always been there for me.”

Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?

BH: “Essendon.”

Q: Is there a reason, or just family?

BH: “Family. My whole family goes for them, so always been Essendon.”

Q: Is there a player at the top level you look up to or model your game on?

BH: “At the moment Matilda Scholz because we’ve both got the height on our side. I just really like the way she plays her game, really strong, agile for her height, fast as well.”

Q: In terms of the goals you’re setting for yourself this year, what are they?

BH: “Obviously AFLW would be the dream, if not then VFLW.”