DANDENONG Stingrays defender Gabrielle Mehrmann put her name on the radar in last year’s Talent League Girls finals series, capping off a consistent year by becoming the first person to keep Bailee Martin to under three goals in a match (just one). Mehrmann earned a spot in the Vic Country hub, and has the ability to also swing forward, with some rock solid traits one-on-one.

We spoke to Mehrmann at the recent Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day about her footy journey, game, influences and goals for the year ahead.

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

GM: “I used to be a soccer player actually and then my brothers and dad saw how aggressive I was on the field so they forced me to a footy training, Under 11s with the boys. Then I did that and loved it ever since.”

Q: How’s the rise from local footy into Stingrays been?

GM: “It’s been good. When I started I obviously didn’t really know what Stingrays was, so I was just playing for the love of it. I then made V/Line and realised how far I could get, so have been working towards that the whole time.”

Q: Are you going to play in defence again this year or a different role forward?

GM: “Looks like I’m going to be a key defender. Hoping I can get a bit up the ground or play forward in some of those games, but looking like a key defender at the moment.”

Q: You had a pretty big finals series last year including quelling Bailee Martin in the preliminary final. What was that experience like for you?

GM: “Experience wise it was really good, playing on such an amazing player. I think that just brought a whole new confidence to my game and going into the grand final, it was really fun.”

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

GM: “Definitely my contest work, using my strength, and my aerial work, marking.”

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

GM: “Just my consistency. Hoping to go into the year super consistent.”

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

GM: “Definitely my Balnarring junior coach Cam Price. He’s just helped me with everything. When I’ve been low on confidence, he’s just been there and really helped me through.”

Q: Which AFLW club do you support?

GM: “Hawthorn.”

Q: Is that just family?

GM: “Yeah family. My older brother and my dad support them so I’ve just grown up supporting them.”

Q: Is there a player you look up to or model you game on?

GM: “Tahlia Gillard. Love the way she defends, really good lockdown defender.”

Q: What’s the Vic Country hub been like?

GM: “Really good. Seeing how professional the system gets, it’s been really fun. Meeting a whole different bunch of girls, it’s been really good.”

Q: Finally, what goals have you set for yourself this year?

GM: “I’ve said it already, but just being super consistent and then just playing the highest level of footy I can and then at the end of the year, hopefully getting drafted.”