SANDRINGHAM Dragons skipper Sienna Sharp has enjoyed a solid season up forward for not only the Dragons, but also Vic Metro. The tall forward spoke to us ahead of the season about her footy journey, gamestyle, who she looks up to at the elite level, and a unique family tradition when it comes to selecting an AFL club.

Q: Sienna tell us a bit about your footy journey?

SS: “I actually started as a soccer player and it didn’t quite click for me and I was like ‘i think I want something a bit more physical with a bit of a larger team’. My brother had played footy so I transitioned into playing footy at Ormond, my local team. I played there for a few years and began the pathway programs through interleague and NGA which was an amazing opportunity, and did SSV along the way as well. Then I moved into East Brighton Vampires and Sandringham Dragons and continued the pathway program from Under 16s till now and I’m just loving it and continuing on.”

Q: What role will you play this year?

SS: “I’ll be in the forwardline playing a key forward role, bit of playing the sixth with regards to density, but that’s where I’m looking at the minute.”

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

SS: “I’d say my marking ability in aerial contests, using my body but also my kicking ability whether that’s impact the scoreboard or hit up leads around the ground.”

Q: What about your improvements?

SS: “I’m really working on my physicality and doing my work early whether that’s in regards to marking contests so I can show my clean hands. But also in regards to because I’m a bigger player I need to work on my stutter steps, so that those groundballs are easier for me because currently I’m just getting pushed off the ball or overrunning them, so I’m really working on my footwork when it comes to things like that.”

Q: Which club you support at the top level?

SS: “I go for Geelong. Bit of a family tradition, whatever team is on the top of the ladder when you’re born, that’s the team you go for, and I was born on grand final day in 2007 when Geelong won the premiership, so Geelong it is.”

Q: Does that mean your family goes for all different teams?

SS: “Pretty much. My mum’s an Essendon supporter, my dad goes for Richmond, and there’s a whole bunch of mix in there.”

Q: How long’s that tradition been going?

SS: “As long as I can remember. My siblings are in the same boat, like my sister’s also a Geelong supporter which is nice to have a fellow one around. But everyone’s here, there and everywhere. My grandpa has also been part of it.”

Q: So just the year you’re born whoever wins the flag is the team you support?

SS: “It’s more whatever month, so say you were born in April, whoever is on top of the ladder that week, that’s your team.”

Q: Has that been more than your immediate family?

SS: “I’m not too sure, I know my grandpa is an Essendon supporter and he’s definitely a diehard fan. I’m not sure how much it went on beyond that.”

Q: What player at the top level do you look up to or model your game on?

SS: “A bit of Chloe Molloy and Bonnie Toogood. I just think being bigger bodies and playing high-forward roles, it’s nice to see how they can connect up the ground and use their skills to shine, but also bring their teammates into the game and get the ball down into the forwardline and kick some goals.

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

SS: “There would be two. So obviously my parents, they’ve been my biggest supports from day one. But also my Under 12s mixed boys coach Warren Bailey. He’s amazing, he’s taught me so much along the way and I’m so grateful to have him in my life, giving me tips here and there.”

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

SS: “In footy goals I’d just love to have the best season and have a bit of fun with it as well. It’s my last year in junior footy, but school’s another big priority for me so I’m hoping to get 95-plus ATAR and get into the course that I want and go from there and start living my life outside of school.”

Q: Which course are you hoping to get into?

SS: “A double degree of bio med and law.”