BRISBANE Lions Academy ruck Monique Corrigan was her side’s top draft prospect coming into the year and the former netballer has continued her upwards trajectory with the Queensland state side through the first half of the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships.

Corrigan has overcome a substantial amount of travel throughout her junior career, with a four-hour drive home from yesterday’s National Championships win over Vic Country a perfect example. We spoke to the 187cm athlete following the game at Brighton Homes Arena about her football journey, how she juggles her commitments with travel, and her inspirations along the way.

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

MC: “I was really into netball and then during the Covid the netball kind of came to a stop so then I started playing AFL for the Palm Beach Currumbin. Then I moved to Hervey Bay where I started playing for the Bombers. I played with the boys for two years and then I went up into the senior women’s for Bay Power. Then I started getting into the Academy and now I’m here.”

Q: You’ve got a fair bit of travel compared to a lot of other players, how have you found it and managed it?

MC: “It is a lot to balance. I struggled more when I was in Year 12 last year trying to balance it all. But it just taught me to have a bit of time management, a bit more organisation around my training and my work, but it does it get exhausting.”

Q: You’ve moved to the QAFLW in the last 12 months, was that to test yourself at the higher level of football?

MC: “I made the jump last year to Maroochydore to play at the QAFL level and now I’m playing at Aspley this year.”

Q: Was that decision to just play in that higher league?

MC: “It was just to get high skill level playing up here than it is to be back home, just a better environment.”

Q: You’ve also got a bit of a netball background, what’s that been like in that sport?

MC: “I was at a very similar level with the netball so it was hard to pick one, but it was just a bit of a struggle to balance going to Sunny coast for netball and then coming to Brisbane for AFL, it’s just a lot.”

Q: You’ve had a lot of cool experiences along the way such as Futures, how have you found those extra pathways above the Academy with the best talent around the country?

MC: “It’s such an amazing experience, especially to play with the girls who are at the level and even higher and just to push yourself and prove to yourself that you can play at that level. But it’s such good opportunities.”

Q: You play a fair bit in the ruck, is that what you enjoy the most? Or do you like other roles as well?

MC: “I like playing anywhere on the field just as long as I’m out there competing. I love to play forward a little bit as well. Ruck is where I feel most comfortable, but I’m happy to go anywhere.”

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

MC: “Definitely my ability to compete, like my follow-up work with my rucking and getting my mids involved in the game.”

Q: What about in terms of what you’re looking to improve on?

MC: “Just confidence and just aggression starting from the first quarter and building throughout the game.”

Q: Which AFL/W club you support?

MC: “Brisbane Lions all the way.”

Q: Has that been the case before you were in the Academy?

MC: “Yes.”

Q: Is there a player you look up to or model your game on?

MC: “I love Tahlia Hickie and how she plays, just the way she goes about her game.”

Q: Have you been able to work one-on-one with Tahlia at times?

MC: “Not too much, but coming up this Monday we do have AFLW days with them where we do get to spend a day in the life as them which will be a good experience.”

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

MC: “Definitely Zilks (Emma Zielke). I just think her grit and she’s just very strong headed and I think it’s good to look up to as a role model and just all of her accolades that she’s had.”

Q: Finally, what goals do you hope to tick off throughout the rest of the year?

MC: “I just want to play my best footy that I can and just help make my teammates look great and just make myself look great.”