MURRAY Bushrangers and Vic Country forward-midfielder Skylah McPherson has come a long way with her game since starting as the only girl in an otherwise all-boys team at Myrtleford. Following on from a breakout bottom-age campaign in 2025, McPherson has been steadily growing in 2026 and playing through Vic Country’s national campaign.
We spoke to McPherson ahead of the year about her football journey, game and inspirations.
Q: Skylah, give us a bit of a rundown into your footy journey, how you got started and the pathways you took to where you are now?
SM: “I started playing Under 14s at Myrtleford with the boys, and then I got the opportunity to go try out for the Murray Bushrangers two years ago. From then on I’ve just been at the Murray Bushrangers.”
Q: What was it like stepping up from that local league up to the Talent League with the Bushrangers?
SM: “There was a big difference – being, you know, the only girl with the boys. But the (Talent League) girls are a big step up from the boys.”
Q: In terms of your game and the position you want to play this year — obviously you’ve mostly played forward but a bit up the ground as well. Where do you see yourself?
SM: “I still see myself playing forward, but up the ground would be, you know, definitely what I’d like to do – being in midfield and a rotation forward.”
Q: What do you see as the strengths in your game?
SM: “My strengths are probably my speed and my damage inside forward 50.”
Q: In terms of the improvements in your game, what are you looking to work on at the moment?
SM: “Definitely my kicking and getting into more contests.”
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
SM: “Definitely my mum and dad – since day one they’ve supported me.”
Q: Which AFLW club do you support?
SM: “Geelong Cats.”
Q: Who’s a player you look up to at the top level?
SM: “Definitely Dana East. She’s moved clubs now to Richmond, but yeah, since day one I’ve been watching her.”
Q: That’s a real unique choice, you might be the first person to say her. What was it that drew you to her?
SM: “Well, a bit of everything. Her brother plays down where I am, and ever since he started playing down there, I’ve just watched her game and she’s just someone to look up to.”
Q: You’re a left-footer. What’s that like for you playing, having that difference compared to a lot of others?
SM: “Oh, it’s good. A couple of us in the (Murray) forwards – actually half of us are lefties – so yeah, it’s a bit different to being a righty.”
Q: I guess coming through, you’ve got a lot of players at Murray that you’ve played together a long time because you started quite young. What’s it been like now you’re at this top-age level with a lot of the same girls you’re playing with?
SM: “Yeah, it’s good. I came into the club knowing no one because I was the only girl from Myrtleford, but getting to know everyone – it’s been a great journey.”
Q: You’ve got quite a few good players in the front half as well – Majella (Day) is going to be one that cops a lot of attention. Does that help you a fair bit, knowing they’re going to focus a lot on her and you can benefit from it?
SM: “Yes, definitely.”
Q: What do you take away from going to Vic Country hubs and things like that, to bring back to the Bushrangers?
SM: “We have line coaches at Murray and at Vic Country, but there’s a difference between the coaching staff and what they teach us. So whatever I get from Vic Country, I try to take back to my local and pass it on to everyone else.”
Q: Just going forward from a 2026 perspective, what goals do you set for yourself?
SM: “Definitely to improve my game, my running and everything — and the capacity to run out a full game.”
