AN EYE-CATCHING speedster off half-back, Stephanie Aguinaldo is one to watch in the upcoming 2026 season. The Broadbeach Cats AFLW Draft prospect is a former national netballer who chose footy and is now set for a big top-age campaign.
We spoke to Aguinaldo about her footy journey, the tough choice between her sports, the impact of being in university over Year 12, and what she hopes to achieve this year.
Q: Steph, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
SA: “I had pretty much played competitive netball until about Grade 10 where I had heard from Sam Iles to come along and trial for the Under 16s Academy. I fell in love with football ever since, its been really good and the environment it provides was amazing. Then ever since just been playing with the Suns and they’ve been really supportive in this journey of mine.”
Q: What was the reason behind choosing football over netball?
SA: “Basically in Grade 10 I had to make the decision between state netball – because I made the Queensland state squad – or continue on with the 18s program. I did love netball and it was amazing, but there wasn’t much of a pathway there because height was kind of an issue. I believed there was more of a pathway in football and I’m really excited for it.”
Q: Do you watch a lot of footy?
SA: “Not much, but I’m starting to definitely. I did watch a few games of the AFLW season last year and it was cool. With how much it has progressed over the two years I’ve played the sport.”
Q: What was it like seeing your Suns Academy teammates from last year get drafted?
SA: “It was crazy. I think I’ve been very lucky to be in a team with them. Just the calibre of my teammates last year was just insane. To see them all be rewarded at the draft was amazing and I’m so excited to watch them this year especially.”
Q: Have you been able to train with the senior girls at all?
SA: “Last year I had the privilege of just watching the trainings, I just couldn’t train-on because I wasn’t old enough but hopefully this year I get an invitation to train-on with them.”
Q: Looking to this year, what role or position do you think you’ll play?
SA: “I’m hoping to play on the half-back but I’ve also been told that I might get some midfield minutes, or midfield in general, so excited for that opportunity to show a bit of versatility. But I’m lucky enough to have been rewarded with a leadership role as well, so excited for that.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths and improvements in your game?
SA: “I would say my strengths are more so my competitiveness, my speed and my grit out there. Whereas my weaknesses are probably my IQ, I’m still developing that as I’m quite new to the sport. So my IQ and my endurance coming back from holiday.”
Q: Are there any players at the top level you look up to or model your game on?
SA: “Not really (anyone in particular). I look at the work ethic of the girls last year, definitely, and then just look at the best rolemodels for me at this point is to look at the AFLW girls at the Suns and just watch them grow and develop as players.”
Q: What goals have you set up for the year?
SA: “I start my Bachelor of Paramedicine at Griffith so I’m working towards becoming a paramedic, but also I’m going to try my best at football and see if I can get an invite to the National Combine, and then also hopefully get drafted.”
Q: Do you feel you’ve got a leg-up on some of the other girls given you’ve already graduated from school?
SA: “Yeah definitely. I was a big stress head last year, so its a relief to know that I have a lot more time to focus on footy goals, so that’s exciting. I think it would be stressful to be Year 12 and also footy, so credit to those who do it.”
Q: Is there a teammate we should look out for who’s going to have a really good year?
SA: “I’ll give you two. I believe one my age in ’08, Heidi Grimshaw, she’s a weapon out there. I played in the backline last year and I think she did a lot of good stuff there and it was great to see her develop as a player in the 16s. Then from the younger age group, there’s a lot of amazing talent come through, I would probably say look out for ‘Shay’ (Shayla McDonald), she’s been great.”
