UNLIKE a lot of AFL Women’s draft prospects uncertain if they will relocate to continue their football at the elite level in 2026, the reality for Tasmanian Priya Bowering is that for many years she has known relocation is the only option, and is more than prepared for the challenge that awaits.

“It will definitely be a big thing, but on the other hand I’ve always wanted to play footy and I’ve always known that that means moving away so over the years I’ve kind of gotten more used to it, and I’m quite excited by what next year could look like,” Bowering said at the National AFLW Draft Combine.

The Lauderdale talent has long been considered one of the top talents in the 2025 AFLW Draft, with arguably the highest floor of any player given her ultra-consistent approach and heavily contested gamestyle. However this year, Bowering got a taste of action around the ground including up forward and down back.

“It was a good opportunity (to play in other positions),” Bowering said. “I would have liked even a little bit more especially in the forwardline just to show more versatility, but I was happy to rotate anywhere to be honest.”

It should come as no surprise that the ever-consistent Tasmanian had an impressive top-age year, winning MVP for the Allies as well as securing a spot in the AFLW Under 18 Championships side. Funnily enough it was on the wing, about the only role Bowering did not play in 2025.

On winning the MVP, Bowering described it as a “huge honour”.

“There’s some really amazing players and people in that team and I took real pride in that, I was super proud,” she said.

While her heavy schedule that included the Coates Talent League Girls, national championships and AFLW Academy matches kept her busy, Bowering also returned home to run out for her beloved Lauderdale.

“I love Lauderdale so much, they’re such a community club,” she said. “All the girls are so supportive and you honestly couldn’t find a better bunch of people, it’s just such a great atmosphere to be around.”

Unsurprisingly invited to the National Draft Combine, Bowering said it was a little nervewracking to start with given the 2km time trial was up first, but she enjoyed the experience across the three days. From now until the draft, the Tasmanian said she will just look to maintain her fitness and keep her football touch up leading into what will be a huge 2026 season.

While Bowering is a really well-rounded athlete, she is as dedicated as she is talented and is looking to get even sharper in all areas to take her game to another level.

“Definitely my endurance and my speed work,” she said of her main improvement to come. “My athletic profile is definitely something that I’m working on, but you can always improve on your craft and your skills as well, so that’s something I’m also honing in on.”

As for what she has felt her greatest development in her game has been in 2025, Bowering said it was her ability to back herself out of contests and use that extra first few steps to make a better decision with ball in hand.

“I think my confidence has really grown and my ability to take on the contest and drive my legs out of stoppage, not having to just smack it on the boot straight away,” she said. “Actually taking that extra couple of seconds to lower my eyes and find the target has been something that I’ve really improved on from the start of the year to the end of the year.”