WESTERN Jets utility Kiara Boyd never says ‘no’ to an opportunity be it on-field positioning or a challenge, with the talented National Academy member enjoying the final year of her junior football career. Going from the Jets to Williamstown and incredibly playing in a VFLW Grand Final, Boyd looks back on 2026 with only fond memories.

“It’s been an unreal season, can’t complain at all,” Boyd told Rookie Me Central at the AFLW National Draft Combine. The connections I’ve made with people and the opportunities I’ve been given, couldn’t ask for a better ending to my junior footy.”

While the Seagulls fell short of grand final success due to a North Melbourne VFLW three-peat, Boyd said it was an experience she would never forget.

“It would have been good, but we all tried our hardest and can’t fault the girls. It is what it is, there’s got to be a winner, there’s got to be a loser at the end of the day. “We tried our hardest and the connections I made with people and the friendships I’d made were unreal.

“It was pretty surreal to think that I got to play in a granny when I’d only played in one home and away season game. It was unreal to compare against size, body and ultimately the next level of footy.”

While Boyd said she is still working on refining the consistency of her powerful kick and being cleaner with her groundballs, the top-ager had noticed improvement in her game both on and off the field.

“Probably a bit off-field, but my leadership within the Western Jets,” she said. “Then just my physicality, my strength and just becoming a footy player.”

Boyd is one of the most versatile players in the draft crop, having played in defence, through the midfield and even up forward with her aerial ability, footy IQ and powerful kick all coming to the fore. As for her favourite position, she is unsure.

“No I don’t have one, just playing footy,” Boyd said. “Wherever I’m going to get most of the ball and I’m going to have more value and impact within the team, everything I like to play.”

Speaking with AFLW clubs at the Draft Combine has been a huge buzz for Boyd, who plans to open up her own gym one day via business and sport and exercise courses at university. As for on-field when landing at an AFLW club, the Jets leader was just keen to get stuck into the work.

“Just show them that I work hard, push everyone around me, become better on and off the field and then ultimately try and get a game,” Boyd said.

DRAFT FEATURES:

New South Wales: Evie Bowie, Frances Walsh, Majella Day, Morgan Stevens, Ashleigh Barlow
Queensland: Zoe Petrides, Summer Browning, Aiyana Pritchard
South Australia: Emily Mableson, Emma Charlton, Ruby Lynch
Vic Country: Greea McKeegan, Lily Milner, Eliza Roche, Lacey Nihill
Vic Metro: Bailee Martin, Tayla Olivieri, Maddison Meagher, Brylee Anderson, Grace McIntyre, Alli Allen
Western Australia: Lexi Strachan, Mia Carlshausen