{"id":208514,"date":"2026-02-05T16:52:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T06:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=208514"},"modified":"2026-02-05T16:52:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T06:52:54","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-cara-dziegielewski","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/02\/05\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-cara-dziegielewski\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Cara Dziegielewski"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AN ALL-AUSTRALIAN at bottom-age level, Cara Dziegielewski<\/a> is one of the leading West Australians in this year’s AFLW Draft. Alongside close friend Lexi Strachan<\/strong>, the West Perth duo form two thirds of the Sandgropers’ National AFLW Academy talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Dziegielewski at the WAFLW Preseason Testing day about her football journey, experiences through the National Academy and some of the mentors and inspirations along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

CD: <\/strong>“Previously I did athletics and one day I was in Year 8 and my sister whose in Year 6 she was about to start footy back up again. I did do Auskick, and then I decided to join back up again. I started at Yanchep and then got into West Perth Rogers and then played a year there, won a premiership and then got into League. It’s just been really good since then.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Part of the WA squad as well, what’s that experience been like for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“Yeah the WA squad’s amazing. Everyone there, the coaches, they all push you to be your best and it’s really good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: You made the National Academy squad, what was that and the Futures match like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“That’s also an amazing opportunity, so thankful to be a part of that. It’s really going to help me improve on my football skills and knowledge. So grateful to be part of that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: The National Championships last year, the first game was a bit tough the way it ended, what did you take from that to then perform as strongly as you did for the rest of the carnival and make All-Australian?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“Honestly it was really disappointing but it just really gave me some strength to push and just learn from little mistakes like that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is ruck your favourite position?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“Yeah ruck is my favourite position. I do like forward too, I am still learning the skills and how to play that role.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Do you think you’ll play more there this year or still mostly ruck?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“I’m pretty sure I’m playing more forward just to have a backup position, so I’m more versatile and might have more options.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What was the trip to New Zealand with the AFLW Academy like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“That was also really good. I really enjoyed that. I’d never been there before, so having the coaches and everyone around me pushing me to be my best and with my best intention was amazing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Looking at your game, what do you see as some of your strengths?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“Maybe just my aerial ability and maybe my athletic background. I think that’s really helped me get to where I am today.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What about the improvements you’re looking to make?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“Definitely gym and strength, just build up some strength.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: You and Lexi Strachan are usually attached at the hip, what has that been like doing all the same pathway programs (WA, Futures, AFLW Academy) with her?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“Yeah Lexi’s a gun. We’re really close and we really work well together I reckon.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Which AFLW club do you support?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“West Coast.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Whose a player you look up to or model your game on?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“Maybe Matilda Scholz<\/strong>. I really like the way she plays and I learn things from her.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

CD: <\/strong>“My pop or my mum. My pop is probably my biggest supporter and he was there for me with everything, and my mum… I love my mum, she works really hard for me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

CD: <\/strong>“To get All-Australian again, that would be really a great thing, and obviously to be drafted, that would be absolutely amazing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How do you think West Perth will go this year??<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CD: <\/strong>“We finished off the season fairly well last year I reckon, but hopefully the same again.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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