NORTHERN Territory talent Tatyana Perry is a promising young player who clocked the fastest 20m sprint time at the AFLW National Draft Combine. With football running through her blood, the niece of Aaron and Alwyn Davey is hoping to forge her own path through the AFL Women’s.

We spoke to Perry at the combine to hear about her year and some of the inspirations along her journey.

Q: Tatyana, tell us a bit about your football journey?

TP: “I started playing at the age of 10 in the Thunder Juniors down in Darwin. Basically just grew up around footy so always just wanted to get out there and play. Still playing because it’s fun and I love it.”

Q: Coming through NTFL as well, how’s that experience been for you?

TP: “Playing in the NTFL obviously it’s a different level compared to otehr states, but it’s been fun. Obviously the weather condition’s down there’s been a bit challenging but I feel like it’s been a good challenge for my career.”

Q: You were named co-captain at Palmerston at such a young age, how have you found it?

TP: “It’s been good. Training with the Palmerston Magpies since a young age, just looking up to the other girls that were there and seeing how they lead the girls. Really focused on that and took that into how I played my footy, I was there for the girls.”

Q: In terms of your pathway, who’s had a particular influence on you?

TP: “I’d like to say my dad, growing up and watching my dad and how he’s played. Just like his mentality and stuff like that.”

Q: In terms of your own game, what do you see as some of your strengths?

TP: “For my strengths I think my run and carry from the backline is pretty good, and my speed.”

Q: What are you looking to improve on?

TP: “Probably my pressure on-ball. Obviously playing in the backline, love to have heaps of pressure on-ball, and probably my strength as well, just being able to push off players and win one-on-one contests.”

Q: Is half-back your preferred position or would you like to play another one at some stage?

TP: “I like playing all over really. I’ve played forward, sometimes on the wing, I feel like my best footy is from the backline.”

Q: The NTFL season started now, what’s the process for you with the draft coming up, do you just coach or do you get involved, what’s your involvement?

TP: “I’m training with the girls now and getting around them as much as I can. I’m not going to be playing this season just because of what’s coming up. But I get down every training, I’m going to be their runner so hopefully that’s going to help the girls.”

Q: You’ve had a few players that have come through NTFL of late and have played with you at Territory Academy, how’s it been coming together from that competition particularly and being able to form the Territory getting a win as well in the Talent League?

TP: “It’s been really good, our new head coach Dale Eames from Gold Coast, he came over last year. He just set a really good example for the girls and made us really come out of our shells and want to be better, so it was really good, we just gelled really well.”

Q: What player do you model or game on or model your game on?

TP: “I’d probably say Nasiah Wanganeen because he plays in backline and he’s really good at the run and carry, so I try and model my game like him.”

Q: Which AFL/AFLW club do you support?

TP: “In the AFL I go for the Melbourne Demons, but AFLW not too sure yet I sort of go for all of them.”

Q: Is there a back story as to why?

TP: “Obviously just growing up watching my uncle play for Melbourne Demons, Aaron Davey. I also do go for Bombers sometimes just because of my other uncle Alwyn Davey. But yeah it’s a bit between the two.”

Q: How much influence have they had on your career?

TP: “They’ve had a huge impact, like obviously watching them from a young age and just realising that hopefully that could be me one day when I’m older when there’s a girls competition that starts. They’ve often given me lots of advice which is nice.”

Q: When you were younger played with your mother, what was that like?

TP: “It was good. I think my first debut when I was 16 I played with her my first game. It was quite funny actually like can’t really give her feedback because … we’re just a bit you know … sometimes on the oval. “But it’s really fun it’s good to play with my mum, good to learn off her and her experiences.”

Q: AFLW Academy, what’s that been like for you?

TP: “It’s been really fun, obviously a new experience and opportunity. Just meeting other girls and know their strengths and how they play, which is really good. It’s brought out confidence in me to take my game on as well.”

Q: How did you find Allies program this year?

TP: “This year was so much better. Tanya (Hetherington) from Sydney Swans she was the head coach, she made the girls gel really well and we just all trusted each other and got a win against Queensland which was really good.”

Q: How have you found chatting to clubs from everywhere? Is it a new experience coming into the draft year?

TP: “It’s been a new experience for sure. Obviously coming to the national camp, that was my first time really getting interviewed, talking to clubs which was really exciting. Now that I’m used to it, it’s really nice and relaxed.”