{"id":208780,"date":"2026-02-13T09:17:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T23:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=208780"},"modified":"2026-02-13T09:17:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T23:17:54","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-jade-brazier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/02\/13\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-jade-brazier\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Jade Brazier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TALL defender Jade Brazier<\/a> gained great experience through the Queensland side last season as a bottom-ager and now the Maroochydore junior is ready to take another step in her football development. A member of the Brisbane Lions Academy, Brazier has thrived on holding down a key role behind the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Brazier at the recent Queensland Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, inspirations, travel commitments and goals for the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

JB:<\/strong> “I’ve always grown up around footy. Both my mum and dad played when I was little and I started playing soccer but my brother played footy and then transitioned across in Under 15s.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Did you get to a high level with your soccer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “I did and I was playing both high level with AFL and soccer so I could pick either one, it was too much to handle.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How’s your preseason been so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “It’s been really good, I’m loving the group of girls, it’s really good to get around them and I’m excited for the season.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What position do you think you’ll play this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “Bit of a key back\/centre half-back role. I aim to get a leadership role as well in the team, but wait and see how the preseason goes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Have you had an opportunity to train with or catch up with the senior girls at the Lions?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “We have Bre Koenen<\/strong> come down and help out, especially in the backline. She’s a really good rolemodel and someone I look up to, so that’s nice.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Do you watch a lot of footy?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “I do a bit, especially the men’s. I go for Geelong Cats so try to get to as many of their games as I can.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Any reason for supporting Geelong?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “Well my mum grew up in Geelong so all of my mum’s side of the family go for Geelong.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How was the grand final with Geelong playing Brisbane? Did you watch it or go?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “No I was in Canberra watching it with some mates. It was good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Do you try and model your game on anyone in particular at the top level?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “I used to look up to Joel Selwood a heap in the men’s. Obviously sad to see him go, but I just look up to how hard he hunts the ball and gets himself into some really good positions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some of your strengths and improvements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “My penetrating kick, especially during kickouts out of the backline, I think is something I would say is my weapon. Overhead marks and probably my positioning around a defender is something I need to work on.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is there a teammate you think will have a good year?\/<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “Probably Molly Ferguson. She is an absolutely amazing person on and off the field. I carpool down with a heap of the Sunny Coast girls so it’s been really good to get close with them and see how hard they work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s travel like for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB: “It’s a lot. We have to leave at lunchtime twice a week from school, takes about three hours to get about three hours to get to Ipswich and then an hour and a half (training time) so it’s a big trip, but it’s worth it in the end.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What goals have you set up this year to achieve?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JB:<\/strong> “End goal would be to get drafted. Really pushing high for that, but honestly just to have fun. I play good footy when I’m having fun, so just enjoy it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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