EAST Fremantle top-ager Cienna Leslie has played across all thirds of the ground, and the young Shark is ready to make those experiences count in 2026. A member of the West Australian summer squad, the Carlton supporter is chasing her dream of reaching the big time.
We spoke to Leslie at the recent West Australian Preseason Testing event about her football journey, game, inspirations and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Cienna, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
CL: “I started in Year 6 because my friend’s dad was the footy coach of a team so I decided to start playing footy. I played for two years but I was pretty unfit so I quit. I spent a year watching my younger brother play and I started missing it so then I came back when I was about Year 8 or 9 and then that same year I got asked to try out for the Sharks Metro Development Squad. From there went into Rogers, played two years of that, then debut League last year, did the State 15s when I was 15 as vice-captain and then invited to State 18s this year.”
Q: What’s that been like coming into the 18s program?
CL: “So good, so rewarding. I feel like I’ve worked super, super hard over the past two years, fully dedicating myself so it was a bit of a reward or showed my achievements so made me really happy. It’s been so good, the girls have been amazing.”
Q: What’s your favourite position to play?
CL: “I don’t mind really, I like all positions. I started off forwardline so I like kicking the goals, its quite fun, I’m a good kick so I liked that. Then I moved into the backline two years ago now, really enjoyed that. Then started going into the midfield last year which I enjoyed that because I could impact fast play.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
CL: “I would say making the second option, running off the ball to kick it on. I like the quick fast movements down the field.”
Q: What about your improvements?
CL: “I feel like there’s always room for improvements in every aspect. I’d probably say my endurance, I’d like that to be a bit better so I could become a key midfield player, that would be pretty good. I’d also say my marking as well, overhead marking. I think everywhere can be developed for sure.”
Q: Which AFLW club do you support?
CL: “Carlton.”
Q: Is there a reason behind that?
CL: “I’ve been a Carlton supporter since before I was born, and I’ve loved the club.”
Q: Has your family supported them?
CL: “Yeah my dad’s supported them his whole life, so I didn’t really have a choice. We used to live in Melbourne, so going to the MCG watching them play just when I was younger the men’s team and then just loved the girls team, loved watching them on social media.”
Q: Who’s a player you look up to or model your game on?
CL: “Patrick Cripps. I love him, I think he’s a good bloke on and off the field, so he’s like a really big leader on the field. Really makes the plays, supports his teammates, but then he’s also a really good guy outside the game. He’s really inspirational in that aspect.”
Q: What about a person whose had the most impact on your individual career?
CL: “I think Patty Cripps as well, he can play a bit of everywhere, maybe some Jacob Weitering. In terms of girls, I love watching Zippy (Fish) play. She’s super explosive, super fast, really good with her hands.”
Q: What goals do you set for yourself this year?
CL: “Definitely I would love to get drafted. Or at least be considered for the draft, that’s a big goal of mine that I’ve been working really hard for the past three years, is making it to AFLW and basing my whole life around football, that’s definitely my goal. Otherwise just performing as well as I can in the state 18s and just developing my football. But I’d love to get to the highest level for sure.”
