CENTRAL District sporting talent Tara Lord has plenty of potential left in her, and the talented utility is one who could make her mark in the 2026 season. The Bulldogs player represented South Australia last year and is an international Under 16s softball representatives as well.

We spoke to Lord at the weekend’s South Australian Preseason Testing Day to find out about her football journey, mentors and goals for the upcoming year.

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

TL: “I started when I was nine. I’ve played at Angle Vale, and I was playing for my school as well, and then just got selected in the Talent Development Shields for Central and then from that got picked in the League team and for state.”

Q: How did you find out the step up from local league into the SANFLW and state?

TL: “I thought it was really good. I think it was a challenge at first, but I think the more you do it, the more you get used to it. It was definitely a lot better than local getting to play up.”

Q: What’s your preferred position?

TL: “At the moment would be forward, deep forward probably.”

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

TL: “I think my aerial, and my leading and leading patterns and goalkicking.”

Q: What do you need to improve on?

TL: “I’m working on more of my attack at the footy, I think that’s definitely something I need to work on, and groundballs under pressure.”

Q: Which AFLW club do you support?

TL: “Collingwood.”

Q: Any reason behind that?

TL: “Not really, just went for them when I was younger and have been with them since.”

Q: Are there any players you look up to or model your game on?

TL: “I think Rosie at Centrals. She’s just strong at the ball, leads up, strong in the hands, good under pressure, I just want to be like her so I’ve been working with her a lot to try and model my game around her.”

Q: Can you remember any specific advice she has given you?

TL: “It’s been more what to do in my marking contests. If the ball’s coming out one way, make sure you push your opponent the other way, and where to lead.”

Q: Is there anyone whose had the most influence on your career?

TL: “I think my coach back at Angle Vale, my last coach that I had there. He was really good, he always got behind me, he still gets behind me at Centrals and comes and watches. He was really good for me to help me get better.”

Q: What goals do you set for yourself this year?

TL: “I’ve set a short-term goal of playing every League game, try and play as much as I can and just keep working with Rosie and just to be the best player I can be.”