LIFE on the football field could not have been any better for Northern Knights speedster Maddison Meagher this year, rating the “amazing” season a “10 out of 10”. Coming into the campaign as one of the most eye-catching prospects and fastest players in the draft crop, Meagher went from her Knights to Vic Metro and the All-Stars along the way, finding greater consistency in her game.

“It was definitely a great experience (playing for Metro), I think the development that happened last year through being in Metro and this year as well has just been huge,” Meagher said. “It’s been a lot of fun and a great environment as well.”

Meagher further honed in on her wing role this season, playing almost all her minutes in it for the Knights, before a slight taste of life on the inside when moving on-ball for the fourth term in Northern’s final game of the year.

“It was definitely something different for a little bit of fun, but playing on the wng all year was definitely something I felt more comfortable in,” Meagher said. “Loved playing out there and being able to use my strengths with run and carry.”

Meagher came on in leaps and bounds this season, with her aerial work still a focus – particularly in contested situations – but her foot skills were making strides.

“I would say I worked a lot on in the off-season on my kicking so that’s definitely something that I’ve improved on this year and hopefully keep working on it,” she said.

The explosive top-ager clocked the fasted 20-metre sprint time at the National AFLW Draft Combine, and the second fastest of all-time with a blistering run of 3.059 seconds, the only player to record a sub-3.1 second run.

Speaking to Rookie Me Central the day before the physical testing, Meagher said she didn’t have a goal in mind, but was just going to give it her all.

“I’m trying not to think too much about it and just go out and give it a good crack but obviously hoping for the best,” she said.

Like all the other Draft Combine prospects, Meagher spent a couple of days prior to the physical testing component speaking to AFLW clubs, an experience she describes as “really cool”.

“I think it’s kind of a dream to live out,” she said. “To meet all the clubs has been so surreal and a lot of fun as well.”

Looking ahead to the next level should, as expected, Meagher hears her named called out on draft night, she expects to likely continue her work on the wing – though not opposed to another role – while also looking to fit in with the squad as easily as possible.

“I can definitely see myself playing in that wing role, but could also definitely go off half-back or even roll up forward,” Meagher said. “I think I can be pretty versatile as well.

“It (first thing to show her new teammates) would not only be what I can do on the field with my speed and my explosiveness, but what I can do off-field with my personality and my character.”

DRAFT FEATURES:

New South Wales: Evie Bowie
Queensland: Zoe Petrides, Summer Browning
South Australia: Emily Mableson
Vic Country: Greea McKeegan, Lily Milner
Vic Metro: Bailee Martin, Tayla Olivieri,
Western Australia: Lexi Strachan