GOLD Coast Suns Academy is stacked to the brim with talent, and another player who is worth noting down is athletic tall utility, Lilly-Ann Ryder. The 174cm versatile type has spent time in defence with the Suns and Queensland, while playing forward for Southport.

Given the volume of talent at the Suns and battle for list spots, Ryder is a player who could provide value for any one of the 17 other AFLW clubs as well. Highly touted by her coaches, we spoke to Ryder last week about her footballing journey, inspirations, game and dreams for the future.

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

LR: “I think I first got into footy through school mainly. Just with the AFLQ Schools Cup. Because I was doing a lot of other sports like OzTag and touch and the teachers were trying to get more girls to join the team. They just approached a few of the sportier groups at school and I joined through there. From there I joined Burleigh Bombers in Under 15s and then got contacted by the Suns Academy, joined the Academy for Under 16s and been playing footy with the Academy since then, and then joined Southport Sharks two years ago for senior footy.

Q: What’s it been like moving from junior level to senior and with the Academy?

LR: “It’s been great. I think especially the Academy has helped lots. Because its such a professional environment, just playing from 16s and they let you train-up with 18s and then even with the AFLW. It really helps the transition from junior footy to senior footy and I think its just a great pathway that they really prepare you for senior footy and then once you’re at Southport, everyone there is so supportive of everything you’re doing. Everyone I feel is with the same mindset that it really helps you improve and you feel really comfortable, and its just a great environment.”

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

LR: “I would probably say one of my school teachers, Matthew Carroll. He’s just always helped me, always been checking in, seeing what I’m doing. Just pushing me in a way, always offering help and advice. But other than that, basically I feel like I’ve had some great coaches, Rhyce Shaw he’s like always so supportive and I feel like he really manages balancing a good relationship with you while pushing you. I’ve had some great influences, I can’t really choose one, but I think lots of coaches have really helped.”

Q: In the Suns Academy have a stack of players available, how much do you do with communicating with the Suns, potentially looking elsewhere given list spots?

LR: “I’m not really sure, I just do what I can. I always just try and prove myself, just always asking for advice from all coaches, from Shawry. But I know it’s obviously tough because there’s so many good girls at our age this year. For the Suns to take every single one of us, I think that’s obviously they won’t be able to do that.

Q: Have you thought about the potential of relocating to play footy?

LR: “Yeah of course. I’d be open to moving anywhere for footy. Especially being drafted I’d move anywhere, but if not, I think I’d probably do an over-age in Academy and then move the year after for VFL or something like that.”

Q: On your game, what do you see as some of your strengths?

LR: “I’d like to think that I don’t give up easily. Like my second efforts are pretty good, and maybe like reading the play I’ve been told I do well.”

Q: Where do you see your best position going into the future?

LR: “Well I don’t really mind to be honest because at Suns I do play in the backline, but then whenever I’m at Southport I normally play in the forwardline. I think it’s kind of good because I feel like it really builds all my strengths because I’m able to use them in different ways. But I don’t think I have a favourite, I don’t think I could choose out of the two.”

Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?

LR: “I really just want to improve I think my skills just becoming cleaner. That’s something I really want to hone in on.”

Q: What AFL/W club you support, Gold Coast or another one before that?

LR: “Just the Suns. I do like to watch most teams, but I definitely support the Suns.”

Q: Is there a player you look up to or model your game on at the elite level?

LR: “I do really like the way Daisy D’Arcy plays. I think she’s really competitive and doesn’t give up and puts her body on the line which I love.”

Q: Going forward, what goals do you set for yourself?

LR: “Really just to keep pushing myself. I do want to get drafted, so keep working towards that goal. If its not this year, hopefully its the next year, and just keep pushing myself to make state teams again and keep improving.”

Q: Just finally, over the offseason you mention about coming back for the overage year, what’s the decision making behind that over just playing state league?

LR: “One thing I think its great, but I think I’m already used to that environment and being able to stay at home which is very good. I’m also studying at uni and then I also just think that just going through Southport and the Suns. It’s always been so supportive, I’ve been able to play for both teams throughout the whole year and I think its just worked really well. It’s just giving me good opportunities and I think its just great playing in the Coates League just for like exposure.”