HUNTING the football and prowling the packs are a couple of AFLW Academy member Jaime Henry‘s strengths as the top-age talent eyes off a chance at the elite level. The inside midfielder has been considered one of the most readymade prospects in this year’s draft crop and her development from initially being a defender to a tough onballer has been impressive.

Henry started as a tall defender, with her 175cm height helping her to compete against talls and smalls, and she has looked fondly upon her time for Swan Districts in that role.

“I think it’s good because it’s given me that defensive mindset to be able to read the ball really good, and I think that’s a strength of mine being able to read the play,” Henry said. “Now being a midfielder in a defensive way so I’m enjoying that at the moment.”

It was not until her AFLW Under 18 Championships with Western Australia where she played as a midfielder last season, that got the transition happening from defender to midfielder. Henry said that carnival was the catalyst for Swan Districts to look at her in a whole different light.

“I definitely think it did (change Swan Districts’ minds) because it wasn’t really a question before the championships, it was like ‘you’re a defender, you’re always going to be a defender’ and then Beau (McDonald) gave me the opportunity to try that role and I’m really enjoying just hunting the footy, even with that defensive mindset,” Henry said. “Being able to flip onto attack as well, so it’s good.”

Starting as a junior at Upper Swan, Henry played alongside the boys from Auskick through until she hit Year 9, and joined the local girls’ team. From there she was led to Swan Districts, and has played three seasons with the black and whites.

In 2023, Henry was included in the AFLW Academy, an experience the teenager describes as “unreal”.

“Being able to connect with people who have the exact same mindset, and the same goal in the future, it’s really good, and being able to be in an elite performance environment is really cool,” she said.

Though Henry understands her limitations – which are speed and agility – she has incredible footy smarts and consistency with her approach to the game.

“I’d say reading the footy is a strength of mine, being able to know when its coming out of defence, coming from that defensive role, and also my hunt on the footy, just attacking the ball pretty hard, I think that’s a strength of mine,” she said.

“I’ve been working with a few coaches on speed and agility, it’s definitely something I want to improve on, but I’m definitely working on it.”

Henry had to deal with an interrupted preseason, sustaining a corked calf in finals that lasted many months to the point it was still affecting her at the start of the 2023 season.

“It’s been a tough one, mentally and physically” Henry said in April. “It’s been 10 months now and I’m still not 100 per cent, but I’m definitely getting there. It takes a lot of resilience because god it was a massive hit, and takes a lot, but we’re getting there.”

It is no surprise that Henry is dedicated to her craft, and while she has her sights set on the big picture of making the AFLW, is leaving no stone unturned in the meantime.

“For me it’s just coming back 100 per cent from my injury and just working on my speed and agility obviously because it was a calf injury it takes a lot for acceleration,” Henry said. “Continue to work on the little things that matter. Obviously the draft and getting drafted is the end goal, but what I can do leading up to that, that will make an impact on my personal performance.”

Henry said she does not necessarily follow teams, but rather certain players from teams, though admitted she does have a soft spot for Collingwood.

“I like following individual players and see how they’re progressing,” Henry said. “Players that players that play an inside role like me, players like Kiara Bowers. I do look up to her actually, just her attack on the footy. She’s a big inspiration, she’s a big name as well but the way she hunts the footy and her work rate is inspirational.”

It is no surprise therefore that the switched on Henry is happy to go wherever a club would take her.

“I’d easily move over east if I had to, if I got the opportunity actually,” Henry said. “I love it over there, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel over there for state games, and national academy. It’s a really cool opportunity over there, but also wouldn’t mind staying home being with my family.”