DAMAGING tall forward Harlee McIlwain burst onto the scene with a brilliant Under 16s campaign in 2024 which included a 10-goal haul in a game, and then impressed for the Brisbane Lions Academy and Queensland last year. McIlwain is a National Academy member and looms as one of the top forwards to watch in the 2026 AFLW Draft.
We spoke to McIlwain at the recent Queensland Preseason Testing Day about her journey, game and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Harlee, tell us a bit about your footy journey?
HM: “I started in school when all of my friends were planning on playing for the school team Reddy Bay. My friends wanted me to do it and then I did it and then realised that I was pretty good so then kept playing, got into Level 1 (Academy), Level 2 and now Level 3 and that’s pretty much how I started.”
Q: How was it playing for Morningside reaching the grand final in the Panthers’ inaugural season?
HM: “It was honestly so good. It was my first year in QAFL so it was a pretty fun experience. Though I didn’t get to play many games with them because of Lions. I got to play like four games and then made the finals and then to make the grand final was absolutely insane, it was such a good atmosphere so hopefully we can do it again this year.”
Q: At Champs last year you had a tough start with the concussion, what was it like dealing with that and then bouncing back to return?
HM: “It was bit of an annoying moment, but once I got with my physio Abby she helped me through and come back and it was awesome to be back. I love training, I hate being on the sidelines with rehab but it was really good to get back.”
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
HM: “I would definitely say my coach Zilks (Emma Zilke) and then my dad. Zilks is on the field more pushing me making sure I’m training at the highest standards, and my dad’s at home helping me out, pushing me to do the stuff when no one’s watching.”
Q: Are you still going to play forward or trying something different?
HM: “Still same old playing forward, that’s my life. Won’t be changing, no.”
Q: What are some of the strengths in your game?
HM: “Marking and goalkicking I reckon. Maybe I think new skill would be tackle pressure as well.”
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
HM: “My endurance in the game and more harder leads. Also still practicing marking and goalkicking as well.”
Q: Who’s a player you look up to at the top level?
HM: “Jade Ellenger from the Brisbane Lions. I’ve always had a close connection with her since she was at Victoria Point Sharks with me. She’s my idol and I love her.”
Q: Are you a Brisbane supporter?
HM: “Yeah, Brisbane supporter for sure.”
Q: What goals do you set for youtself this year?
HM: “This year I obviously want to get drafted at the end of the year. I made National Academy and want to play all the games and make the state team.”
Q: With the National Academy, what was the New Zealand trip?
HM: “It was so fun, I loved it so much. It was definitely the best experience ever to get around all the new girls and meet new people, it was really good.”
