SOUTH Adelaide dual premiership youngster Layla Vizgaudis is eyeing off more success in 2026, with the talented midfielder capable of winning the ball inside or outside. She not only tasted success with the Panthers at SANFLW level, but also represented her state at the national championships and is one of a number of draft hopes from the state.
We spoke to Vizgaudis at the recent South Australian Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, South success, game and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Layla, tell us a bit about your footy journey?
LV: “I started at Aldinga and then I started Development at 13 and was there three years or maybe four. Then got brought into League in 2024, so this will be my third year out at South, which is really exciting, I love it out there.”
Q: You’ve had a lot of success there with the couple of flags, how has that been?
LV: “Yeah it’s great being around all the girls there, they’re very supportive and they push you to your limit in a way. It helps you develop which is great. I love playing amongst the older girls because they are all full of knowledge and they help me learn. Love Rick (Watts) as a coach as well.”
Q: Do you prefer mid or forward as your position?
LV: “Definitely inside mid. I did start on the wing a bit, I don’t mind it out there, but I’d much rather it in the mid being in amongst it.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
LV: “I would definitely say my handballing. Very quick handballs out of stoppage around the ground as well. Or either a short-45 low flight kick or entry.”
Q: What about the improvements you’re looking to make?
LV: “I’ve been focusing on my tackling for a while. I find that I’m always reaching instead of throwing myself at a body. I’ve been working on my tackling for a while and I have seen improvements which is great.”
Q: Which AFLW club do you support?
LV: “Funny about that, I actually don’t watch footy. I always get ‘oh my god that’s so weird’. I’ve been to a few games and I love it, but I don’t know, the household didn’t really grow up watching it, I just really enjoyed playing it and started to help out my local club Aldinga because I was playing netball there. Just helped get it started, and then I fell in love with it.”
Q: Is there a player you look up to or model your game on?
LV: “When I played with Nikki (Nield) I looked up to her. She obviously played for Fremantle and the Crows, but to come back and still thrive as much as she did was just awesome so I looked up to that because it wouldn’t have been easy.”
Q: With her unfortunately going out you’ve got more of a midfield spot with the other youngsters. What was that like following in those footsteps?
LV: “At South I played a little bit with Nikki, but when she left I don’t know, I felt like I had to step up a bit. But out at state, playing amongst last year I played with Emma (Charlton) and Lucy (Moore) or Julia (Faulkner) in the midfield which was good. We all complement each other and help each other well in there.”
Q: What goals do you set for yourself this year?
LV: “My first goal was to get sub-six in my (1.5km) time-trial which I did and just from there continue getting fitter throughout preseason and start off getting strong in Round 1.”
