TIED to Collingwood through the father-daughter rule thanks to dad Tarkyn, Oakleigh Chargers top-ager Leni Lockyer is regarded among the better ball users in the AFLW Draft crop. Moving from the outside to the inside this season, the smart utility is looking to take her game to another level in 2026.
We spoke to Lockyer at the Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day.
Q: Leni, can you speak about your footy journey and how you got started?
LL: “I got started when I was about 12, and then COVID happened, so I didn’t play until the next year. When I was in Year 7, I started playing for Kew Comets and then got lucky enough to play 16s Metro and 16s Oakleigh. I played the Metro campaign and the 16s games, then did my ACL in about Round 4 playing 18s. I was out for 11 months and got back to playing around Round 5 or 6 last season. I played every game from there, so that was good.”
Q: You’re in a unique position with your dad having played footy and still being in the pathway. Do you think that gives you a leg up compared to others?
LL: “Definitely with advice and knowing how the pathway works probably better than most people, so it’s a leg up in that way. But there’s also a lot of pressure that comes with it, so you always want to impress. You’ve got to look at him as a dad, but also as a coach, so you’ve got to put the father away a bit and impress him in that role.”
Q: Is there a single piece of advice from him that sticks with you, or has it been more constant throughout your journey?
LL: “It’s pretty constant. He’s played, so he knows what hard work is and what it takes. That’s really helpful. We go by the idea that if I want to get better, I need to either do more than everyone else or do it better. That’s kind of our philosophy.”
Q: I’m guessing you’re a Pies supporter?
LL: “I am a Pies supporter.”
Q: Have you spent any time at the club with your ties there?
LL: “I’m tied to them through father-daughter, so I’ll go train maybe once a term. Now that it’s my draft year, I’m allowed to train once a week, so hopefully that starts soon.”
Q: Are there any players you model your game off, and has anyone taken you under their wing?
LL: “I think Britt Bonnici is probably my top one. She reached out when I did my ACL, and from that I really looked up to her. The way she goes about the game, plays, and trains is really inspirational. I try to model my game off her and take on her habits.”
Q: How’s preseason been so far?
LL: “It’s been really good. I didn’t get to do much with the team last season because I was in rehab, so it’s been great to get involved and do contact work. At Oakleigh we do preseason pretty hard, lots of conditioning and training, and the girls go really hard as well. It’s been really good and we’re looking forward to the year ahead.”
Q: What was it like playing wing last season?
LL: “When I came back from my ACL I played wing, and sometimes a bit of half-back, but not much last year. I’d never played wing before and just rolled into it.”
Q: Do you think you’ll play a similar role this year or transition inside?
LL: “I think I’m transitioning inside this year, and then I’ll roll through half-back every now and then as well.”
Q: Do you watch a lot of football week to week?
LL: “I do. I watch a lot of AFL, and with Dad I get around to a lot of games at my age level as well. So there’s a lot of footy watching on the weekends.”
Q: In terms of your own game, what are your strengths and areas for improvement?
LL: “My strengths would probably be my kicking and skills, like clean hands. That’s what stands out in my game. A weakness is that I don’t have a lot of speed. I try to showcase my skills when I can, and my IQ is another strength. I read the ball well and can find players that are free and read the play pretty well.”
Q: What goals have you set for yourself this year?
LL: “I want to play national champs and hopefully get selected for Metro. I’d like us to make the grand final as a team. I want to play inside mid and hopefully get drafted.”
