NORTH Queenslander Maddie Campbell was spotted early by the Suns Academy as a prestigious talent in Cairns, and uprooting her life to move to the Gold Coast, the top-age midfielder/forward is hoping it pays dividends. Her dedication to her craft is undoubted, and while the ultimate goal is something in the background, Campbell is taking it one step at a time.
We spoke to Campbell at the Queensland Preseason Testing Day about her footy journey, game, inspirations and goals.
Q: Maddie, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
MC: “Well I grew up in Cairns, I was in the Suns Academy when I was Under 12s and I’ve just gone through the years and now I’ve ended up here. I moved to the Gold Coast two years ago to hopefully better my footy chances.”
Q: Whose had the most influence on your individual career?
MC: “Probably my dad. Just from a young age he’s played footy his whole life. He mainly introduced me to it, and he’s sacrificed a lot of things for me to come down here and move down here to play and he does teach me a few things even though I might not want to learn from him, but he’s good.”
Q: What position are you looking to play this year?
MC: “I’m keen to play in the middle and a little bit of forward. But we’ll just see, not too sure yet.”
Q: Coming from Cairns, what kind of travel were you doing prior to relocating?
MC: “Mainly when I was younger we did some camps and trial games in Townsville. Mainly just Townsville, and then when I was 16 that’s when we did more travelling to Sydney to Melbourne and that’s when I moved down. Not too much travel up in Cairns, just a bit of roadtrips.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
MC: “I think I’ve got a pretty good kick. I think I’ve worked a lot on my strength and in the gym this year so I think I’ve gotten a lot stronger so I can use that more around the ball and contests.”
Q: What about some of the improvements you’re looking to make?
MC: “I think I could always improve my running and just building that longer endurance and tank to get to more contests.”
Q: Which AFLW club do you support?
MC: “I support Suns.”
Q: Who’s a player at the top level you look up to or model your game on?
MC: “I look up to Charlie Rowbottom. I think she’s a beast and very strong and I think I really admire that of her how she uses her strength everywhere.”
Q: Finally, what goals do you set for yourself this year?
MC: “I’m keen to just play some games. I’m really looking forward to having a good year, playing consistent footy and just really trying to make those top teams like Queensland and getting noticed up in the higher levels.”
