SOUTH Australian Charli Hazelhurst is as versatile as they come and has juggled her junior football career with netball, as she chases her elite level dreams. The Norwood prospect has played across all three lines, and in the wake of her national carnival coming to an end on the weekend, we spoke to Hazelhurst about her journey, game and goals for the rest of the year.

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

CH: “Started down at Tea Tree Gully in Under 12s where my friend pretty much just forced me to go play, go kick with the girls. Obviously I came from netball so I was really the only one who could catch a ball. That was cool, and then went through the Norwood Under 15s and then Under 17s program an d then was lucky enough to get into the state Under 16s side, play with those girls and then get into the Norwood SANFLW Under 18s as well.”

Q: How have you balanced netball, football and school with everything else?

CH: “It’s definitely gotten harder as you get older and the the levels go up and the commitment that you need in both. It’s just having that constant communication and time management. I think the motivation has kept me going, and the dream and the possibility that I can actually be something, do something. Of course being around the girls they make it all worth it.”

Q: Is there a particular way you’ve been leaning or hoping to do both for a while?

CH: “Probably still both, I definitely love footy and I can see a future with footy and I really wanted to push myself and that dream this year. But I feel like everybody asks me, but it’s two such different things, but I love both.”

Q: You’ve kind of played everywhere, what’s your favourite position do you think?

CH: “I’d probably say backline. I have a very defensive mindset, I love that. But I love chopping in and out of the mid. All of the girls make me feel so welcome and everybody makes me feel so welcome in every role and helps me around.”

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

CH: “I think my aerial work and athleticism is probably the biggest strength and I think my willingness to give 110 per cent effort. I always try and put in, and get out what I can. I think I’m a team person looking for blocks, I don’t need the high disposals but if I can get my teammate on the end of it, I’m happy.”

Q: What improvements are you looking to make?

CH: “Probably just lowering my eyes, driving my legs out of stoppages, contests, clearances, anything like that and just just really trying to power through.”

Q: You had some really cool experiences this year, along with South Australia you also got to play for the All-Stars. What was that like?

CH: “It was the most unreal thing ever. The girls were all from different places, but we were able to connect because we all loved the game so much and we were all able to connect on that level and then on a deeper level as well.”

Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?

CH: “Probably Port AFLW. Coby Morgan is one of my best friends and got late drafted there, so it’s been so cool to see her do that stuff.”

Q: Player you look up to at the top level?

CH: “Naj (Allen). She’s played for Norwood and got to play with her for a couple of games, and just the way she reads the ball and her leadership is something I aspire to do.”

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

CH: “My dad. I think always trying to get me out, telling me it’s okay when I’ve had a bad game. Keeping me humble and keeping me to push myself and that I deserve more and I can get more.”

Q: Nationals are done now, what’s the plan to lead up to the draft?

CH: “Just keep working, keep getting out with the girls. Keeping social, keeping running up, all those little things, one percenters that it takes to be at that elite level.”

Q: Just finally, what goals do you set yourself for the rest of the year?

CH: “Biggest goal is to get drafted and going into the combine feeling 100 per cent in my body and knowing I can do it.”