{"id":209129,"date":"2026-02-25T08:58:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T22:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=209129"},"modified":"2026-02-25T08:58:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T22:58:19","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-kate-alexander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/02\/25\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-kate-alexander\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Kate Alexander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SOUTH Australian ruck Kate Alexander<\/a> is a towering presence on the field, and now the Norwood tall has her sights set on bigger things. Entering her top-age season, Alexander has a number of goals to tick off as she looks to improve around the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Alexander at the recent South Australian Preseason Testing Day about her footy journey, game, inspirations and goals for the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

KA:<\/strong> “I grew up playing netball and I played netball for seven years. Then heaps of my friends started playing local footy for Modbury and Golden Grove so I decided to go out and I liked it heaps better than netbal,l so went with that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What level did you get with your netball?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “Netball I went into ones (top local grade) before I quit a year, year and a half ago.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What was the main factor behind that aside from liking footy a bit better?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “I thought I had a bit more of a future in football. I was alright at netball, I just wasn’t as good at it as I am with footy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How’s it been transitioning from local footy to the SANFLW and state programs?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “It’s been really good, all the state programs like Bek<\/em><\/strong> (McMahon<\/em><\/strong>, U16s coach and SANFL Talent Coordinator – Female Programs) all the coaches are really good. It’s been a good professional environment to be in which prepares you for games and everything which is really good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s your preferred position and where do you think you’ll fit in this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “Ruck and then I’m doing a bit more forward craft this year so can hopefully kick a few more goals.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some of the strengths in your game?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “I think my bodywork’s pretty good. I’ve got a strong upper body. Below my knees I think I’m pretty clean with my hands when the opportunity is there.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are you still working on?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “I’ve been trying to get better at my aerial contests, so get more marks throughout the games, and probably my endurance as well, working on that, and speed over the off-season.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

KA:<\/strong> “Yes I go for the Crows, so I go to all their home games, got the membership with games. It’s so good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is there anyone in particular that you try and mould your game on or look up to?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “She plays for Port, but I love Matilda Scholz<\/strong>‘s game. She’s really good in the ruck and then when she goes up forward, she’s really good as well. She just plays anywhere really good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Who do you think has had the most impact on your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “Probably my parents or my uncle. They’ve just been supporting me through all of it since I was playing netball and they used to drive me everywhere when I didn’t have my licence so they’re very supportive.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Lastly, what goals have you set our to achieve this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KA:<\/strong> “I would love to get drafted, but before that I’m just trying to focus on having a really good year and having fun for Norwood. Then hopefully get picked for state having a really good state champs as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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