{"id":209342,"date":"2026-03-04T07:18:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T21:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=209342"},"modified":"2026-03-04T07:18:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T21:18:27","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-lacey-nihill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/03\/04\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-lacey-nihill\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Lacey Nihill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ALL-ROUND draft prospect Lacey Nihill<\/a> showed plenty in her bottom-age season with Bendigo Pioneers to progress through to the Vic Country summer hub and prepare herself for a big 2026. The midfielder has spent time across the ground but anticipates a wing role is where she will land for the Pios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Nihill at the Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day over the weekend and found out more about her football journey, game, inspirations and goals for the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LN:<\/strong> “My footy journey started quite early. I played Auskick with my twin brother and then went across to soccer because you weren’t allowed to tackle in footy, and when you were allowed to tackle I came across back to footy and played with the boys at St Thereses Sharks, and when I aged out from the boys I played with the girls at Sandhurst.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s it been like rising from local level to play at the Pios?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LN:<\/strong> “I think at first it was a bit of a shock. I think I started when I was 14 playing my first Under 18s game. It was a bit of a shock at the start, but everyone made it really easy and I’ve loved it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LN:<\/strong> “I enjoy playing on-ball definitely, and also on the wing. I think the wing’s probably where I’ll find myself most this year.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LN:<\/strong> “Definitely my mum. She’s been my rock ever since I’ve picked up a footy and supports me no matter what.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LN:<\/strong> “I think my biggest strengths would be my run and carry and my fending off.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What about your improvements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LN:<\/strong> “I think I definitely need to work on my kicking, and my kicking on the run as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LN:<\/strong> “I reckon Tyla Hanks<\/strong>. She does all the one per cent things really well and is underrated.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LN:<\/strong> “Melbourne Demons.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is that family related or just chosen?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LN:<\/strong> “Yeah my family all go for Melbourne, so I just jumped on the bandwagon.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LN:<\/strong> “Just to play really consistent footy and then hopefully get drafted by the end of it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>