{"id":208737,"date":"2026-02-12T12:30:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T02:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=208737"},"modified":"2026-02-12T12:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T02:30:09","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-tayah-nicholson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/02\/12\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-tayah-nicholson\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Tayah Nicholson"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NAMED best on ground in last year’s Rogers Cup Grand Final, Tayah Nicholson<\/a> is hoping that can propel her into an even bigger 2026 campaign. The top-ager started her West Australian pathway journey at local level, but has become a big feature of the Falcons’ three-peat at Rogers Cup level, and now her sights are set on bigger goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Nicholson at the West Australian Preseason Combine about her career so far, style of play, and what goals she sets for herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TN:<\/strong> “I think it’s been about five years I’ve been playing. First year I played for Yanchep Districts Redhawks. Then I got called about a state program. It was a bit hard at first because everyone else was in Subi, West Perth, everyone was in a club so I was the only non-club girl. That was good, met so many new people. Then I did 16s, that was also really fun meeting more new people. I came to West Perth, it’s so good here, I love it here. Everyone’s so friendly and coaches do help you lot. Scotty<\/em><\/strong> (Kounis<\/em><\/strong>) the three-peat Rogers Cup coach, he was really good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What is your preferred position?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TN:<\/strong> “Probably inside mid, but for state, I don’t know why I just enjoy playing wing and half-back.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TN:<\/strong> “Definitely my fearlessness. I’m not scared to go in for the ball, and my tackling.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TN:<\/strong> “Definitely my endurance. My running is my big thing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TN:<\/strong> “Scotty (Kounis), definitely. He’s pushed me to my limits, even though I’ve always complained to him, he’s always pushed me and without him I wouldn’t be where I am now.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TN:<\/strong> “Eagles of course.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Who do you look up to at the top level?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TN:<\/strong> “I’d say Ella Roberts <\/strong>or Georgie Cleaver<\/strong>. Georgie Cleaver because she’s fierce in the back and Ella Roberts is just hungry for that ball, she wants it so bad, she’s so inspirational.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TN:<\/strong> “To get into the winter program and to hopefully get into the draft and go to Eagles. That would be a dream, but just get as far as I can really.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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