{"id":209601,"date":"2026-03-11T15:51:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T05:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=209601"},"modified":"2026-03-11T15:51:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T05:51:36","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-bailee-martin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/03\/11\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-bailee-martin\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Bailee Martin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ONE OF the top pick contenders in this year’s AFLW Draft, Oakleigh Chargers star Bailee Martin<\/a> has proven to be a goalkicking machine across multiple levels. Winning the goalkicking at both Oakleigh and for Vic Metro, Martin had a day out against Vic Country with seven goals to earn All-Australian honours as a bottom-ager, and is a member of the National Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Martin at the recent Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day about her football journey and rise through the ranks, inspirations, and how she handles the pressure of expectation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

BM:<\/strong> “I started playing footy when I was about seven years-old just at the local team and then kept playing since then.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Coming from local to play at the Chargers, what’s that growth been like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BM:<\/strong> “It’s been really good, it’s such a different standard. Being around such a good group of girls and training hard, it’s really good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: You’ve played a fair bit of school footy too and your dad’s the principal (at Caulfield Grammar), so what’s that like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BM:<\/strong> “It’s good. I’m pretty used to it by now, it doesn’t really phase me. It’s been fun.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are you expecting to play forward again or another role this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BM:<\/strong> “Hopefully play maybe centre half-forward and you never know, some midfield time, centre half-back, we’ll see what happens.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Being part of the National Academy, what was the trip to New Zealand like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BM:<\/strong> “That was amazing, that was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, it was so good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

BM:<\/strong> “Probably my kicking and reading the play, and my footy IQ.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

BM:<\/strong> “I’m working more on my endurance and my tackle pressure.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

BM:<\/strong> “Sydney Swans.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s the reason for that?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BM:<\/strong> “My mum’s dad went for them when they were South Melbourne so I just got dragged into it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

BM:<\/strong> “Poppy Scholz<\/strong> from Carlton. I think we play alike and obviously she’s a gun so I try to model my game off her.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Last year getting All-Australian, having the great game against Vic Country (seven goals), what was that carnival like for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BM:<\/strong> “That was really good, it was such a good experience and good to get exposed to that sort of thing and then hopefully build on it this year.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

BM:<\/strong> “Just try and play consistent footy and obviously have fun. Obviously the end goal is to hopefully get drafted.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Given your accolades, how do you balance the pressures of footy along with expectations, school etc.?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BM:<\/strong> “I’m a pretty chilled person, I don’t really get fazed by that sort of thing. I just try to block it all out and have a balance between my school and my footy and try and have fun.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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