WESTERN Jets defender Jacinta Eteuati is an intercepting force who competes well in the air and comes from a rugby and netball background which equips the multicultural talent with plenty of unique weapons. Her for throughout 2026 earned her a spot in the final Vic Metro squad.
We spoke to Eteuati at the Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day.
Q: Jacinta, can you walk us through a bit of your back ground, what you played growing up and then your footy journey, sort of how you got started and to where you are now?
JE: “I’m Samoan. (I played) a bit of rugby, netball, and obviously my siblings played a lot of rugby as well. I played footy when I was in Year 8, and it was just a school competition, so it was just a one-day thing. My teacher at that time, he thought I was doing really well, so he signed me up for a club called Bulldogs Under 16s and that’s how I got into it. I just kept going from there, yeah.”
Q: Do you tend to watch a lot of football now?
JE: “Sometimes here and there, but I try to get into it.”
Q: Do you look up to any players you try to model your game on?
JE: “I’d have to probably say Mon Conti because she’s a really good player.”
Q: Have you been through some of the multicultural programs yet?
JE: “Yeah, I just finished a multicultural camp last weekend.”
Q: Have you gotten to meet any players and sort of get some advice off them, things like that?
JE: Yes, I met more from the Bulldogs (AFLW) and then I met Darcy (Vescio) as well from Carlton. Tunisha (Kikoak) was also there from Fremantle and the advice they gave us was just to get where you want to go, you have to remember where you come from, which is really good.”
Q: With of your football this year, where do you think you’re going to fit in in terms of your role and position?
JE: “I obviously play backline, so my role is really important, but I just have to understand my game, how it’s going to fit and help my teammates.”
Q: What are some of the things that you’re good at and then maybe some of the things you’re still working on as well?
JE: “I’d probably say things I’m really good at would be my aerial work, contested marking, my tackling pressure as well. Some things I’d like to work on would probably be my ground balls and just my short 45s.”
Q: Finally, what kind of goals have you set up for yourself this year?
JE: “Honestly, short-term goals, just obviously make the trials, and even further down the line, get drafted.”
