GOLD Coast Suns Academy is not short on talent, and while the National Academy members will – deservedly – earn plaudits, the Suns have a host of players outside that core in draft contention. One of those is smart half-forward Aleah Stringer who plays the modern day hybrid role between midfield and attack and has her sights on making the next level.
We spoke to Stringer at the Queensland Preseason Testing Day about how she got into football, where she expects to play, what’s she’s working on and her goals for the year ahead.
Q: Aleah, tell us a little bit about your football journey?
AS: “I started at PBC which is Palm Beach Currumbin High School when I first started school and then I kind of really enjoyed it and started playing club footy. I started at Palmy (Palm Beach Football Club) then I went over to Coolangatta. After a few years at Cooly and went over to Bond Uni and joined back in with the Suns and I really enjoyed the Suns and that’s where I am today still playing Suns and playing Bond and hope one day to play professional.”
Q: How have you found the transition through the pathway with each challenge you’ve had and what is it about footy that has made you stick around?
AS: “Definitely the girls in this team have definitely helped me stay playing. The coach I had (at the Suns) Sedge (Jess Sedunary) helped me find the drive and motivation to perform the best I can, same with Shawry (Rhyce Shaw). Shawry’s a really good coach he’s helped me with the start of preseason. I feel like Bond has helped me with my knowledge of my footy as well, same with Suns, it’s been really good.”
Q: Do you support the Suns?
AS: “I do support the Suns, but my first team is definitely the Melbourne Demons. Just because my dad goes for them, so obviously got to go with what my dad did. He grew up in Melbourne and then he moved up to the Gold Coast.”
Q: Pretty stacked squad at the Suns, where do you see yourself playing this year?
AS: “As a high-forward, more of like a fifth onballer, that’s where Shawry’s got me playing this year. I like to play as a small forward, I like to get some cheeky goals every now and then, but I do like to play through the mid. Every now and again I’ll go out on the wing just when there’s a bit of extra out there for me.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
AS: “Probably my drive when I pick up the footy and definitely my short kicks, hitting leading targets as well. My footy IQ’s definitely improved over the last two years so I’d say that’s one of my strengths as well.”
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
AS: “Definitely my contested marking and I would say probably my groundballs at the moment, my groundballs haven’t been that good but they’ll hopefully will get better as we go along.”
Q: Is there someone at the top level you look up to or model your game on?
AS: “At the moment I would say probably Mia Salisbury even though she’s only just been drafted. I do look up to her more than I do anyone else, just because she helped me all through last year so I definitely see her as someone I’d like to play like especially with her footy IQ it’s really impressive to see.”
Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career?
AS: “Probably my mum or my dad, just because they’re so involved with my sport and they’ve helped me be the best player I can be as well.”
Q: What are the goals that you set for yourself this year?
AS: “This year I definitely I want to have a consistent season. I’d like to play high disposals, not saying it’s just about that, but I’d like to standout a bit. I’d definitely want to get drafted at the end of the year, I’d like to stay with the Suns but I’m happy to go anywhere. That’s probably my end goal for the season.”
Q: It’s a National Draft now, as you just said you’re happy to go anywhere, how much have you thought about the prospect of moving?
AS: “I have definitely thought about that plenty of times. I would love to go to the National Draft would be a dream of mine, that’s my number one goal at the moment.”
