NATIONAL Academy member Jade McLay suffered a season-ending shoulder injury early in the year, but kept herself involved in the game through Calder Cannons where she was appointed captain at the start of the season. While 2025 might not have gone to plan for the talented tall, she has put enough runs on the board in past years to be among the most intriguing prospects heading into the AFLW Draft.
We spoke to McLay at the AFLW National Draft Combine about her football journey, her shoulder recovery and what she is looking to work on from now until the draft.
Q: Jade, tell us a bit about your football journey?
JM: “I started training with my brother and his team when I was like six, seven or eight, and then started playing with the boys when I was like nine up until Under 11s and then went over to the girls at Wallan and then played with them. Then I think I was like 14 playing Under 18s. Then went over to interleague and a couple of the coaches asked if I wanted to come down and train with Diamond Creek and see if I liked it. I liked it and I think it was during Covid when I started there.
“Did another year of interleague and 16s at Diamond Creek, played 18s there as well. Then the Daniher program at Essendon was on and it linked up with Cannons. Did preseason with the 18s as a 16-year-old and played out games and then did the Vic games for 16s and then Under 18s Coates league and then 18s Vic as well when I was 17. Then this year Coates League and then Vic Metro and National [Academy].”
Q: In 2025 you had your shoulder injury, how did you keep yourself involved off-field?
JM: “Unfortunately I only played two games but before surgery I was doing runner for Calder and then did one game runner for the Academy and then after surgery I was just doing stats and then clearances and then helping out with the mids group and forwards as well at trainings and games. Then backend of the season I was on the bench just doing all these different roles and helping out at training.”
Q: How’s the recovery going, what stage are you at?
JM: “I have started lifting a little bit more weight, I think I’m only three or four months post. Just doing smaller strength exercises, started running properly, and then just some light skills as well.”
Q: What do you see as some of your strengths?
JM: “Probably my physicality is one of the biggest, but being able to get to impact aerial contests, but then also being able to get the ball at ground level as well.”
Q: What about the improvements you’re looking to make?
JM: “Running patterns is probably one of the biggest things and my tank, and then being able to hit short 45s.”
Q: Who’s a player you look up to or model your game on?
JM: “Probably Charlie Rowbottom.”
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
JM: “My parents, they’ve sacrificed a lot for me. I really appreciate that and they just push me to be the best I can.”
Q: From here, what is it that you are looking to tick off leading up to the draft?
JM: “From now on I’ll just work, continue to run and do those skills by myself or with a mate. But hopefully when Cannons go back I’ll be able to get back there and start running and do a couple of drills there before draft.”
