{"id":209347,"date":"2026-03-04T09:12:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T23:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=209347"},"modified":"2026-03-04T09:12:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T23:12:26","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-scarlett-marsh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/03\/04\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-scarlett-marsh\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Scarlett Marsh"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DANDENONG Stingrays skilled defender Scarlett Marsh<\/a> is progressing into a mid-defender hybrid role as the talented small begins her top-age campaign. One of the more damaging ball users going around, Marsh has been a valuable member of the Stingrays’ back six and is looking to take her game to another level in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Marsh at the weekend’s Talent League Girls Preseason Testing event about her football journey, role, game and her future goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SM:<\/strong> “I started playing around the age of 8, played with Auskick. Then played a year of boys then progressed up to girls. I’ve just played since Under 13s at Balnarring Junior Football Club and it’s been great, love it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s it been like going from local to Stingrays?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SM:<\/strong> “Probably just the transition of the game, game moves so much faster, bigger bodies. It’s an extra level on club footy, but I love it, it’s great.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SM:<\/strong> “I like to go mid-half-back. Playing a bit through the middle this year which will be good just to see what I can do through the midfield, but normally mid-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

SM:<\/strong> “Definitely my kicking I think. My use with ball and probably my awareness, footy IQ.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SM:<\/strong> “Just my ability to win one-on-one contests, just use my body a bit more. I want to expand my kicking on my left foot a bit and show that I can kick both sides.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: You got to play Country at 16s and in the hub now, what’s that experience like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SM:<\/strong> “Such a good experience with all the girls at Vic Country. Good to branch out and just the level you’re playing at are so talented and love playing it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SM:<\/strong> “Probably my mum. Mum loves it, she’s encouraged me to play footy all my life. She still helps me, still critiques me, but it’s good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SM:<\/strong> “Hawthorn.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is there a reason for that? Just family?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SM:<\/strong> “Yeah family on my mum’s side we’re passionate supporters.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SM:<\/strong> “Tilly Lucas-Rodd<\/strong>. Really like how she runs off the halfback and uses the ball and I just think she’s a really smart and composed player.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SM:<\/strong> “Hopefully get into Vic Country, that’s the main goal. Then looking to the future hopefully get drafted, but there’s a lot of steps to that, and the main goal is Vic Country at the moment.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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