AS the postponement of all seasons commenced over the last week, we head back to the preseason a month earlier where we chatted to a number of athletes across the country. In a special Question and Answer (Q&A) feature, Draft Central‘s Taylah Melki chatted with Queensland’s Tahlia Mead at the state testing day hosted by Rookie Me.

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Q&A:

MELKI: How did you get into footy, Tahlia?

MEAD: “It was kind of an accident to be honest. I wanted to go to a high school and the only way I could get in was through a scholarship or through an academy and it was either dancing or AFL. So I thought ‘Oh, AFL is close to touch football’ – I come from a touch footy background so I tried it, was the only girl in the class and yeah, just picked it up from there and just loved it.”

How have you found the transition from touch to Australian rules football?

“It was good, it was hard because obviously they’re two different sports. “But I used my speed from touch and transitioned to AFL so it was good, I liked it.”

What is it that you love about footy?

“Just the atmosphere. “It’s so unpredictable and you’ve got to adapt to everything and you just never know what’s going to happen.”

How’s the pre-season been?

“I mean, it’s always hard to try and get into fitness and running again but it’s been good. “You definitely have to work hard for it.

Is there a particular area that you feel you’re really strong in?

“Probably speed, running around.”

Is there an area you’re hoping to improve on?

“Yeah, there’s always room for improvement in everything but I feel like skills, I need to start to perfect (them) and everything needs to be sharp.”

And what are you hoping to get out of the season?

“I’m hoping to make the state team.”

What would it mean for you to make the state team?

“It would mean a lot. “It would be an ultimate goal.”

Have you had any particular footballing inspiration or are there any athletes you aspire to?

“Tayla Harris. “I think she’s a big influencer, “I’d like to be like her and move up there.”

Is there a particular position you’d like to play?

“Midfield, I’d like to be around the ball.”