{"id":181153,"date":"2025-02-28T15:30:53","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T05:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=181153"},"modified":"2025-02-28T15:30:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T05:30:54","slug":"aflw-draft-qa-ava-stewart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/02\/28\/aflw-draft-qa-ava-stewart\/","title":{"rendered":"AFLW Draft Q&A: Ava Stewart"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SWAN Districts tall Ava Stewart<\/a> added 11 games to her League career in 2024, with the now top-ager finding her place in the defensive half for the Black Ducks. Stewart earned an invite to the West Australian Summer Squad for her form throughout her bottom-age season, and now has hopes to further improve in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to her at the recent West Australian Preseason Testing Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Ava, tell us about your footy journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “I started off in Auskick when I was like four I’d say. Then I just grew up with the boys, I played with the boys up until Year 9 and then I came to Rogers Cup in 2022. Only played a few Rogers games and then I got asked to play a League game. I was 14 when I had my first League game, very scary. Since then I’ve played state 16s and now I’m just training with the 18s.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: When you got the invite for the state squad, what was that like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “I was very surprised because I was very new. I didn’t know the footy world was that big. I wasn’t used to that professional football level, but I was very excited, very happy when I got the invite.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What role do you see yourself playing this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “Usually I play half-back, but this year I want to see myself in other places. I feel like I have more to give than just a few marks at half-back, so I’ll see where that takes me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “My marking I’d say, and my skills are good. I think I have good footy smarts as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “My fitness. Maybe a bit more one-on-one contests and stuff like that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Who’s had the most individual influence on your career?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “Definitely my dad. He’s been with me since Auskick. He coached me when I was younger in Year 7, 8 and 9. He’s definitely my biggest supporter when it comes to football.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is there a person you look up to at the elite level?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “I mean though she hasn’t had a game at AFLW, I see similarities between me and Molly O’Hehir. I definitely look up to her.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What AFL\/W club do you support?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “Freo. I’ve just grown up with Freo, been a member since I was 10.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Finally, what goals do you set for yourself this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AS:<\/strong> “I just want to be the best I can be. I definitely want to see myself giving more to the team. Get a few state games, and just looking to improve myself.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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