VERSATILE South Australian Imogen Trengove had an impressive SANFLW debut season last year after coming into the season with big wraps. The then bottom-ager had shone during the Interstate Carnival the year before, and looked natural in the State Academy’s internal trial in December of 2023.
In 2024, Trengove was able to play across all three lines and just about every position which caught the eye to solidify her place in the state squad for the AFLW Under 18 Championships where she played two games. We spoke to her at yesterday’s South Australian Preseason Testing Combine.
Q: Imogen, tells us a bit about your footy journey?
IT: “I started at Bute Football Club in the junior colts with all the boys. My dad was the coach and my brother played in the team so that’s pretty much how I got into it. Then I moved to boarding school at Seymour (College) and played for school and Glenunga Rams and then went to Under 17s Eagles and played at the carnival and then into the senior program at Eagles.”
Q: You’ve played a lot of different positions, what’s your favourite?
IT: “I love playing in the midfield, it’s probably my favourite, and I recently been playing a bit more on the wing which is lots of fun, and then I do love being up forward as well, so I don’t really mind. I definitely feel like I’m more of an attacking player, so any of those roles.”
Q: Do you anticipate to play more of a wing role this year?
IT: “Yeah, I think with Eagles this year I’ll probably play through the midfield and on the wing a bit.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
IT: “I think some of my strengths are my speed and my attacking power. I feel like I have a mind to go forward and go through the packs.”
Q: How about what you’re looking to improve on?
IT: “This year I’m hoping to improve my kick. I feel like there’s a few technical parts of that I can improve like my ball drop and stuff like that.”
Q: Who do you think has had the most individual influence on your career?
IT: “I think my dad. He has been very influential in encouraging me and getting me into footy in the first place as well.”
Q: What AFL/W club do you support?
IT: “AFL I support Hawthorn, and AFLW I would say Port but also my friends where they’ve been drafted.”
Q: The Hawthorn element, was that family based?
IT: “Yeah mainly family, and also wore the guernsey when I was younger. But mainly family, my dad is a big Hawthorn supporter.”
Q: At that top level, who’s someone your model your game on or look up to?
IT: “I think Shineah Goody is one of them. Especially given she is also from the Yorke Peninsula and also came through the Eagles program and her commitment is outstanding, especially driving from home all the time. Also just her gamestyle, she’s very quick and likes to run.”
Q: Coming from that region, did you have to do a lot of travelling?
IT: “Well I played at home so not particularly when I did live at home, but I started boarding in Year 10, so I didn’t have to do the trek from the Yorke Peninsula up because I was already in Adelaide for boarding school, so not so much.”
Q: You got to play a couple of Under 18s state games last year, what was that like?
IT: “It was really good last year playing for state, it was lots of fun. I think one of the big things is everyone is striving to get better. I feel like the elite environment of the state program is really good, especially with the coaches and all the help that you get.”
Q: Looking to this year, what kind of goals do you set for yourself?
IT: “I’m trying to set more realistic goals for myself and not trying to think of things I can’t really control, so trying to just focus on the improving each training and trying to do my best so I’m improving.”
Q: From a team focus, the Eagles have got a lot of young players, how are you feeling this year compared to last few years?
IT: “I think we’re looking quite good this year. I feel like we’re a closer knit group, we’re slowly building connections within the team and I think that’s really going to help us this year.”
