ONE OF the top pick contenders in this year’s AFLW Draft, Oakleigh Chargers star Bailee Martin has proven to be a goalkicking machine across multiple levels. Winning the goalkicking at both Oakleigh and for Vic Metro, Martin had a day out against Vic Country with seven goals to earn All-Australian honours as a bottom-ager, and is a member of the National Academy.
We spoke to Martin at the recent Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day about her football journey and rise through the ranks, inspirations, and how she handles the pressure of expectation.
Q: Bailee, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
BM: “I started playing footy when I was about seven years-old just at the local team and then kept playing since then.”
Q: Coming from local to play at the Chargers, what’s that growth been like?
BM: “It’s been really good, it’s such a different standard. Being around such a good group of girls and training hard, it’s really good.”
Q: You’ve played a fair bit of school footy too and your dad’s the principal (at Caulfield Grammar), so what’s that like?
BM: “It’s good. I’m pretty used to it by now, it doesn’t really phase me. It’s been fun.”
Q: Are you expecting to play forward again or another role this year?
BM: “Hopefully play maybe centre half-forward and you never know, some midfield time, centre half-back, we’ll see what happens.”
Q: Being part of the National Academy, what was the trip to New Zealand like?
BM: “That was amazing, that was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, it was so good.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
BM: “Probably my kicking and reading the play, and my footy IQ.”
Q: What are you currently working on?
BM: “I’m working more on my endurance and my tackle pressure.”
Q: Which AFLW club do you support?
BM: “Sydney Swans.”
Q: What’s the reason for that?
BM: “My mum’s dad went for them when they were South Melbourne so I just got dragged into it.”
Q: Is there a player you look up to or model your game on?
BM: “Poppy Scholz from Carlton. I think we play alike and obviously she’s a gun so I try to model my game off her.”
Q: Last year getting All-Australian, having the great game against Vic Country (seven goals), what was that carnival like for you?
BM: “That was really good, it was such a good experience and good to get exposed to that sort of thing and then hopefully build on it this year.”
Q: What goals do you set for this year?
BM: “Just try and play consistent footy and obviously have fun. Obviously the end goal is to hopefully get drafted.”
Q: Given your accolades, how do you balance the pressures of footy along with expectations, school etc.?
BM: “I’m a pretty chilled person, I don’t really get fazed by that sort of thing. I just try to block it all out and have a balance between my school and my footy and try and have fun.”
