A TRUE draft bolter in every sense, few would have had the name Baia Pugh in contention even eight months ago. However the top-age talent who played her first year of Coates Talent League football in 2025 had a brilliant season that saw her rise from newcomer to a standout at Gippsland Power, and then making Vic Country.

Speaking to Pugh at the State Draft Combine, she spoke of her rise through the ranks, mid-season injury and recovery, and the goals she sets herself from here on.

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

BP: “I really haven’t played much footy, I’ve kind of been across other sports in general. I played one season with Wonthaggi Power with the juniors. Probably four or so years ago, and then jumped back into it with Coates because its such a good program. I’m here where I am today and it’s been a really good year.”

Q: What other sports did you play growing up?

BP: “Played a few. Athletics mainly, netball and basketball.”

Q: How has it been to rise through Gippy and make Vic Country?

BP: “I don’t know, just putting in a heap of work behind the scenes. Its been great though, the support system they have at Gippy to get where I’m going because they’re trying to get you as far as you can in the sport, so super grateful for the opportunity in general.”

Q: What’s your preferred position having played both forward and midfield?

BP: “I like running through the mid, just because first hands on the ball, first hands at the stoppage, but love a bit of time down forward to kick some goals and get in the action. I like both to be honest.”

Q: Your season ended a bit early with injury, tell us about that?

BP: “I broke my collarbone. All recovered now though.”

Q: When that happened, how did it feel and the recovery process?

BP: “It was pretty rough straight off the bat. Needed surgery and a plate and screws put in. Fair bit of recovery but just in terms of getting it moving, putting the plate in and the surgery made it a lot smoother process because it was pretty misplaced and what not, but just physio stuff and getting it moving to the point where it is today really.”

Q: On your footy, what would you say are some of the strengths in your game?

BP: “My endurance and my athletic background. Probably just to keep running under fatigue and keep those skills handy. I’ve been working on decision making a bit, so I think that came into play a little bit at the end of the season as well.”

Q: In terms of your improvements, what are you looking to make?

BP: “Probably skill wise, just because I haven’t been in the sport as long. Little things like my kicking and handballing need to just get that little bit higher in terms of the level I’m at, but that should come in easy if I have put my best foot forward.”

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

BP: “My dad. He’s heavily involved in the Wonthaggi Power program and he’s got a fair football background, so just having him in my corner, teaching me all those little things. Even getting the board out to teach me position things this year, that’s probably been my greatest influence, and also some credit to the Gippy Power people, they’ve been amazing as well.”

Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?

BP: “Carlton.”

Q: Is that for family reasons?

BP: “Just me and my mum. The rest of my family’s Geelong and Hawthorn.”

Q: Is that why you followed them?

BP: “I think I’ve always followed the men’s clubs throughout my junior years because my pop kind of forced me into that one. Then when the women’s program started up, I started following the same team.”

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

BP: “At the top level I really look at Mon Conti, especially just a massive name in the women’s sport, she’s had to miss. Probably Ash Centra because she’s from our Gippy area, pretty inspiring.”

Q: What goals do you set for yourself now?

BP: “Just get my skill to a level that I’m super happy with it, just to feel really fluent and have a flow in my game. Because obviously pretty new to it, just need to get that flow going, but just excited to see where it can take me. I’ve had so much happen in one year, excited to see where a couple of years more could take me.”