CAPTAINING Oakleigh Chargers this year, top-age talent Chloe Thorn has spent time across all three lines and further emphasised her consistency at multiple levels of competition. We spoke to Thorn at the National Draft Combine about her footballing journey, experiences and future goals.
Q: Chloe, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
CT: “I started when I was about eight and that was with Blackburn Junior Football Club. Then from there I just haven’t stopped really. I had a little break because I was managing a few other sports, but from about 10 onwards I just kept playing right through, and then through that was obviously the EFNL interleague. I played two years there in the Under 15s team, and then through to Oakleigh in the Under 16s, so I was captain with Chloe Bown and then in the Under 18s I was a bottom-ager and top-ager.”
Q: How did you find captaining the Chargers this year?
CT: “I love being captain, I love leading. I think it comes super natural to me. I love getting around the girls and pushing them to be the best that they can so definitely it’s something that I love to do.”
Q: You’ve played everywhere, what’s your preferred role?
CT: “I definitely see myself playing off half-back. I do love playing everywhere and I’m open to playing anywhere, but I definitely think that half-back role suits me the best, or even a little bit deeper, going forward into an AFLW program.”
Q: How was the Vic Metro experience?
CT: “It was good. I was managing a small injury which wasn’t ideal at the time, but it was such a good experience and I think we sort of came together in the last game and played such a team game. So it was definitely a great experience to travel across the country a few times and gain some footy experience.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
CT: “I’d say my one-on-one defence and my turn from defence to attack, so just that run and carry, and then my physical presence as well would be my strengths.”
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
CT: “Definitely my aerial, just taking those big marks off half-back would be ideal and then I think everyone can improve their kicking efficiency sometimes. I think that’s so vital off half-back to have good disposal of the ball.”
Q: Is there a player at the top level you look up to or model your game on?
CT: “I’d probably say similar to Zippy Fish, I think she’s such a good player and also’s very young. She runs and carry and is such a good kick so she’d be one of my favourites.”
Q: Whose had the most individual influence on your career?
CT: “I’d say my coach Ty Vickery. He’s matured me I feel like in a lot of aspects, always been there for me, we have such a close relationship and he’s always pushed me to be the best that I can be.”
Q: In terms of from the Draft Combine to the draft, what’s the training load, other things you’ve got on?
CT: “After exams and everything, I’ll just take a little break for maybe a few weeks. I’m not going on Schoolies or anything, but then after that kick into getting fit and trying my best so I can try and go for runs a bit more often and be really consistent with my gym so when I am at that next level it won’t hit me like a bus, so that’s just the main thing, and then hopefully to get into an AFLW program.”
Q: With the National Draft now, have you thought much about potential of moving interstate?
CT: “I mean obviously it isn’t ideal coming from Melbourne to move across anywhere, but I think it’s such a good opportunity everyone gets given and I mean you’re doing the sport that you love and if you have to move away just for a little bit, I think it would be such a good experience.”
