{"id":189889,"date":"2025-05-20T15:12:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T05:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=189889"},"modified":"2025-05-20T15:12:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T05:12:12","slug":"2025-aflw-draft-qa-matilda-wilmore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/05\/20\/2025-aflw-draft-qa-matilda-wilmore\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 AFLW Draft Q&A: Matilda Wilmore"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TENACIOUS Glenelg top-ager Matilda Wilmore<\/a> has some top speed and a great defensive approach to her football, with the youngster hoping to make the South Australian final squad this year. She made the cut last year but as a bottom-ager missed out on taking the field in the tri-colours, though has had plenty of senior experience over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Wilmore at the South Australian Preseason Testing about her footy journey, inspirations and what goals she sets for herself in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Matilda, just give us a bit of a rundown into your football journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MW:<\/strong> “I started playing in Under 10s in 2017 at Plympton Bulldogs. Then did a lot of the Academy stuff for Glenelg and then I trialled in 2022 and then I got selected to play for the seniors.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What was it like been part of the state squad last year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MW:<\/strong> “It was a really good opportunity, especially as a bottom-ager last year. I learnt a lot, especially from the older girls and I think Charlotte Riggs <\/strong>was someone who really inspired me. She’s so out there and I think that really pushed me to start to speak up more.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What was it like playing a bit of a role change last season?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MW:<\/strong> “It was definitely interesting. I’ve never really played backline before so it was interesting and quite fun, I really enjoyed it while I did play there and a little bit in the midfield too which is really good to be around it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Where do you think you’ll play this year for Glenelg?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MW:<\/strong> “At the moment it’s looking like forwardline and then pushing into the mid.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

MW:<\/strong> “Usually I get told my groundballs are pretty good and my speed as well pushing out of the pack.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

MW:<\/strong> “Probably at the moment it’s like aerial marking and going up against taller people, especially in the forwardline. I think that would be a good skill to get better at.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

MW:<\/strong> “Oh my gosh, there’s so many people I could say. Probably my aunty Chelsea<\/em><\/strong> (Hocking<\/em><\/strong>), she’s coaching in the Dev team and she’s been there the whole time and she’s probably my biggest influence.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

MW:<\/strong> “Crows.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is there a player you look up to or model your game on at the top level?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MW:<\/strong> “Sarah Goodwin<\/strong> I really look up to her. I got the chance to play with her in the school team when I was in Year 8 and it was like the best thing ever. I really look up to her and hope I can play like her some day.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

MW:<\/strong> “I’m hoping to get more League games so I’ve really been working towards getting my fitness better than what it was last year and I really think I’ve succeeded at that and I want to be able to kick more goals.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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