WESTERN Jets ball magnet and reigning best and fairest winner Tayla Olivieri has come a long way since having to convince her sister and parents for her to play football. The small but tough onballer had a breakout 2025 season and is ready to go to another level in 2026 as she stands tall in the midfield, while also able to go forward and hit the scoreboard.

We spoke to Olivieri at the Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, experiences through Vic Metro, influences and goals for the year ahead.

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

TO: “I actually started playing athletics, and then I saw all my friends doing footy so I was like to my parents ‘can i play footy?’ and they’re like ‘no you’re too little, you’re going to get hurt’. Then I was like ‘please, please, I really want to do it’ and then they go ‘if you can convince your sister to play you can play’, so I convinced her and she did. That’s how I started, so I’ve been playing footy since Under 14s top-age so not too much into footy so far, but I grew up watching my brothers and my dad in footy as my dad coached my brothers as well. I just love the whole atmosphere of the footy.”

Q: Have you always been a midfielder since you started?

TO: “My dad did coach me and wanted me to play me everywhere just so I get a little feel for everywhere. I started mid, playing inside mid and then running forward as well.”

Q: Where do you enjoy playing the most?

TO: “I love the mid-forward rotation, but I’ve got to say forward.”

Q: What’s the Metro summer hub been like?

TO: “It’s been great. I’ve learnt so much off it, how to be a professional athlete and just knowing all the things behind the scenes, what you actually need to know, not just to play footy. I’ve learnt so many things, made new friends.”

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

TO: “I would say my dad. He’s inspired me a lot around the the footy side of things. Taught me a lot and he’s made me the person I am today.”

Q: You played with Sierra Grieves who played a similar role to you, how much did you work with her?

TO: “Sierra was great to be around, and also being at school with her. I grew up with her playing with her for a few years and learnt so many things off her, how she plays her footy and she’s a gun right now playing for Richmond. But yeah, I look up to her so much and learn off how she plays her role.”

Q: Last year you had a breakout year, what was the catalyst for that?

TO: “I would say just having more support in that midfield, because we didn’t have much of a structure based set before, so I think it’s helped a lot having that structure side of things getting into the mid and for our knowledge in the mid.”

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

TO: “I would say my speed and my burst out of a contest, and my pressure and cleanliness.”

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

TO: “Having more awareness and being more composed when I have the footy.”

Q: Which AFLW club do you support?

TO: “I support Hawthorn.”

Q: What’s the reason, family?

TO: “I followed them in the AFL because my dad’s a mad Hawks fan. Can’t really switch clubs, got to stay at the Hawks.”

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

TO: “My idol would be Cyril Rioli from Hawthorn. He’s a great forward, just love his game and his speed, his ability, he’s just outstanding.”

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

TO: “I just want to be a rolemodel in the midfield and get forward and kick some goals. Hopefully make it to the National Combine, make the Metro and All-Star team and get drafted as well.”