FOLLOWING in the footsteps of her older sister Kayla, Lunay Van Den Heever is the latest of the West Perth family to don the yellow and black at state level as well as the red and blue for her beloved club. Van Den Heever got a taste of WAFLW action last season, and is one of a number of young Falcons looking to drive West Perth back into finals in 2026.

We spoke to Van Den Heever at the recent West Australian Preseason Testing event about her football journey, how her sister has helped her along the way, and the goals she has set for herself in 2026.

Q: Lunay, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?

LVDH: “I started just community and then I went through the West Perth Academy which was great. Did that for three years because I was still too young to do Rogers. Then I did State 15s which was really good going overseas. Then I got selected to trial out for Rogers at West Perth, and then I went to West Perth, got in, then halfway through my first year I debuted for League which was great.”

Q: Where do you see yourself progressing this season?

LVDH: “Obviously now I’m in the summer program for State 18s and I think that will help me a lot to just try and get into the winter program, and also to get drafted at the end of the year and that is definitely a goal and something I’m capable of doing.”

Q: What’s it been like following your sister through the pathway?

LVDH: “It’s great. Playing with my sister’s been a dream. She’s there for me on the field, I’ve learnt so many things from her, she’s just a great person to look up to and play with on the field as well.”

Q: Is there anything she’s passed down to you for what to do or what not to do?

LVDH: “Definitely her fierceness, and how strong she is in the contest, and how good she is as a leader. She’s very good at leadership so I’ve definitely gotten that from her.”

Q: Which AFLW club do you support?

LVDH: “I support Freo, which I’ve been doing that for a long time. I’ve been a part of their Academies which has only grown my love for them, so it would be a dream to go there.”

Q: Who’s a player you look up to or model your game on?

LVDH: “I reckon Ange Stannett. She’s really strong, she’s a great leader, I love how she works around the ball and she’s just great.”

Q: What position do you see yourself playing this year?

LVDH: “Either a high-forward or a high-back. I do love a bit of both. Back’s grown on me more than forward, but I’m happy to do whatever.”

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

LVDH: “Definitely my contested ball or contested marks. I’m just very strong in the sky and a fierce player which I like. I’m very confident.”

Q: What improvements do you have to make?

LVDH: “Probably just my endurance. Something I’ve been working on a lot, it’s definitely got so much better with the winter program, I’ve just got to keep going.”

Q: How’s the summer program been for you?

LVDH: “It’s been great. So much running, but honestly its helped me so much with my game sense, and how they work, I love it.”

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

LVDH: “Probably my sister. Love my sister, she’s taught me everything about footy. She’s always there on the footy field and I love playing with her.”

Q: What goals have you set for yourself this year?

LVDH: “Definitely to get into the winter program, so I’m very close to that but I’ve just got to keep going, and then AFLW which is at the end of this year hopefully I can get into that.”