NATIONAL Academy member Lexi Strachan is a name to remember for this year’s AFLW Draft, and alongside fellow Falcon Cara Dziegielewski, headline Western Australia’s top-age brigade. Strachan is a powerful midfielder who can also roll forward and hit the scoreboard, and has plenty of upside to-boot.
We spoke to Strachan at the recent Western Australia Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, inspirations, game and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Lexi, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
LS: “I started Auskick obviously the first year you could play. I had a few older mates that were playing footy and I thought I wanted to join and I decided to join and then got a group of the kids that I went to school with and I’m pretty sure I was the only girl for the first year. Then more girls came and they all left, and Year 5 I was still the only girl for a few years. I switched over from the boys team to the girls team in Year 7. That’s when it all started to kick off into the Academy for West Perth that year and then got into the Rogers team Year 9 and then League Year 10 and then where I am now.”
Q: How’s it been through the WA squad?
LS: “It’s been really, really good. Loved playing everywhere. Loved all the girls last year, we were such a strong team and can’t wait to see how this year pans out with the new team. It should be good.”
Q: Futures and National Academy, what’s that experience been like and travelling to New Zealand as well?
LS: “That was unreal, that New Zealand trip was the highlight of my year. Obviously getting to know all the girls was a really good experience and getting out of our comfort zones and going to another country in New Zealand was really good. Futures was amazing and captaining the team I was really proud to do that, and my team won so it was really good.”
Q: You and Cara (Dziegielewski) are pretty attached at the hip, what’s it been like going through the same pathway with her?
LS: “It’s been so good, we’re really good mates. I’m actually really grateful that she’s there with me to experience it together and talk about what goes on and all that stuff, so I’m really glad that I have her with me.”
Q: Do you see yourself playing more midfield this year or still forward a little bit?
LS: “Mainly midfield this year, but I’m happy to go anywhere. I’d like to try forward, I’d like to try back, I just want to play anywhere really, but mainly in the midfield for sure.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
LS: “My strength’s my leadership and my strength, I’m pretty strong.”
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
LS: “My endurance. Definitely need to improve that.”
Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career?
LS: “Well recently its been Kate Orme the 18s coach, she’s really inspired me and pushed me to my limits and I’m really glad that she’s joined the team this year.”
Q: Which AFLW club do you support?
LS: “I support West Coast.”
Q: Who’s a player you look up to or model your game on?
LS: “Ella Roberts and newly this year one of my closest friends Mia Russo.”
Q: What’s it like learning off her, playing a similar role and now taking over that position she’s had at West Perth?
LS: “It’s been really good to have Mia with me on the team. I learned a lot from her, and going into that role it’s going to be a big role this year so I’m going to have to put in the hard work.”
Q: What goals do you set for yourself this year?
LS: “Obviously not get injured, and just keep going. Just don’t give up, try my hardest, go wherever the coaches tell me to go, do what they do and hopefully I have a big impact on the team as a leader.”
