HIGHLY touted in the Queensland pathway from a young age, Mia Geere enters her draft-eligible year with plenty of runs on the board. Debuting at Wilston Grange a couple of years back and starring despite still being eligible for Under 16s, Geere has since impressed through both the Brisbane Lions Academy and Queensland.

We spoke to the hard-running midfielder who can also play just about anywhere about her footy journey, game, inspirations and goals for the year ahead.

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

MG: “I started over in WA when I was five, so that was my first year, and then we moved back to Brissy. I’ve been playing for Wilston Grange ever since. Then through the Academy pathway and Queensland as well.”

Q: You made your senior footy debut quite young and play a lot of senior footy early. What was that like for you?

MG: “The girls were really welcoming because I was quite young and they really helped me and welcome me into the group. It was fun, it was good exposure to get at such a young age because it’s not easy, but it’s good for development.”

Q: Filtering through the Queensland squad as a youngster, what was the step up from local footy to senior and then state footy?

MG: “Definitely a step up in each of them. They’re all different in their own right. The bigger bodies in the QAFL was the hardest change, and then going back to my age, it was not easier, but you didn’t get thrown around as much which was nice. But still very hard in its own right and the skill was better there.”

Q: You’ve played a few positions over the years, are you looking to lock in a spot this year?

MG: “Yeah I have played a bit of everywhere. I’m probably looking to play midfield, but I’m happy with a half-forward or back flank as well.”

Q: What was the National Academy camp in New Zealand?

MG: “I didn’t actually get to go. I was over in Europe with my family on a family holiday.”

Q: Have you done stuff with the National Academy outside of that?

MG: “We did the Futures last year and that was an awesome experience to meet the girls from all around and girls you’ve been playing against for a little while now.”

Q: In terms of your own game, what do you see as some of your strengths?

MG: “Definitely my composure and footy IQ as well as my skills. Because I’ve been playing for a little longer I tend to see the game pretty well I think.”

Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?

MG: “Just my running and mental capacity. Keep going and to push myself that little bit further.”

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

MG: “My dad and my mum. Those two have definitely have had the most influence. If it wasn’t for dad I wouldn’t be playing because he played and I grew up around it.”

Q: Which AFLW club do you support?

MG: “Brisbane girls.”

Q: Different one for the men’s?

MG: “Yeah have to say West Coast otherwise dad might be a bit annoyed. West Coast at heart, but I’ve got a soft spot for the Brisbane men’s now.”

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

MG: “Just to play some clean, good footy. Really consistent throughout all my games. Aiming to play all of them and have a pretty injury free year.”

Q: Who is someone you might look up to or model your game on?
MG: “I really like Kate Hore from Melbourne and even Chloe Molloy when she’s down forward. Those two are big ones for me.”