POTENTIALLY looming as the second father-daughter selection tied to an interstate club, Geelong Falcons’ Meg Lappin has been one of the big improvers the last 12 months. A raw tall who really found her feet as a bottom-ager, the daughter of Brisbane triple premiership player and 279-gamer Nigel enters her top-age year as one to watch.

Lappin plays alongside her twin sister Ally, with Meg being a member of the Vic Country hub. We spoke to her at the recent Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day.

LAST SEASON STATISTICS

Q&A:

Q: Meg, tell us a bit about your footy journey?

ML: “I started when I was about Year 4 so about 9/10. I played for my local club Newtown in Geelong. I played there up until Under 16s Falcons where I played a couple of games there. Got picked in the Under 16s Vic Country team and just where I am now in Under 18s for the Geelong Falcons.”

Q: Who would you say has had the most influence in your football journey?

ML: “Definitely my parents. I spent a lot of time with my dad kicking the footy around, me and my sisters. Very competitive and I look up to them a lot. They take me everywhere to all the games, they’re always there for me so definitely them.”

Q: How much do you know of your dad’s career?

ML: “He talks about it a little bit, watched a couple of his games. But he likes to focus on me, so that’s good.”

Q: How has it been working alongside your sister?

ML: “We’re very competitive so it’s good to get the practice in with her outside of training. I think that’s a real advantage. But we work well together.”

Q: With that coming into your draft year being linked to the Lions who are interstate, how do you feel about the potential relocation?

ML: “It does help a bit to have a connection there. I know he adored the club so it would be good to have an opportunity there and he can help me through it.”

Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?

Probably my speed as a tall. I think I can use that playing down forward to be that leading target and you kind of don’t expect it from a tall, so I think that can be a real weapon for me.”

Q: What about the improvements you’re looking to make?

ML: “Always looking to improve my fitness, I think it’s at an average base at the moment but through preseason I’ve been working really hard on it and I think it can become a weapon if I put the work in.”

Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career on the field?

ML: “I think probably definitely my teammates, Georgia Tyrrell. I’ve worked closely with her and her dedication to the club and the efforts she puts in on gameday and at training, yeah I really look up to her.”

Q: Which AFL/W club you support?

ML: “I support Geelong Cats.”

Q: Reason for them over Brisbane?

ML: “Well because I live in Geelong, it’s just the home club, I can go to all the games.”

Q: Who is a player you look up to at the top level?

ML: “Probably Kate Darby from the Geelong Cats. I think her aerial work and I’ve had the opportunity to work with her through training because she does a but with the Geelong Falcons and just her advice and the efforts she puts into the game I really adore.”

Q: Finally, what goals do you set for yourself this year?

“I think the overall goal is to get drafted, but I think just to have a consistent year. Putting the work in at training to get more consistent.”