{"id":209731,"date":"2026-03-13T15:29:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T05:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=209731"},"modified":"2026-03-13T15:29:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T05:29:52","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-ava-bilyk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/03\/13\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-ava-bilyk\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Ava Bilyk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GEELONG Falcons utility Ava Bilyk<\/a> is a natural footballer with great smarts, decision making and skills, while having the ability to play anywhere on the field. The Vic Country Under 16s MVP had an injury-interrupted bottom-age campaign, but is ready to make her mark on the field in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Bilyk at the recent Talent League Girls Preseason Testing event about her football journey, game, inspirations and goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

AB:<\/strong> “Growing up, my dad played country footy so I’d go down and when I was little girl watch him play, and that influenced me to start playing so I played all throughout primary school, then local footy and now Talent League.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Has he been your main mentor thorugh the pathway or any others?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AB:<\/strong> “Definitely my dad’s my main one, and also my mum. They’ve been my number one supporters, driving me to every game and watching every game. But also Troy Selwood<\/em><\/strong> was a bit mentor for me as well, so he was a very good influential person, and then also the likes of Nigel Lappin<\/em><\/strong> who also played for the Brisbane Lions, he’s been really good as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: You’re noticeable out on the field for wearing a helmet, what’s the story behind that?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AB:<\/strong> “I used to play with the boys so since then dad wanted me to wear a helmet, so since then it’s been my special thing that I wear.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: In terms of your preseason, how’s it come along so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AB:<\/strong> “Yeah very good. I’ve been very proud of my preseason, I’ve put in a lot of work and excited to see what it shows on the footy field.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What do you see as some of your strengths and improvements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AB:<\/strong> “My strengths are my decision making and my IQ, and just reading the play, and also my kicking. I feel like I can hit the right options. Then my improvements I’d say my speed. I think I’ve already been putting in the work, but I think my speed is something i can definitely show more in game.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

AB:<\/strong> “Yeah. A lot. I’d say I’m quite the footy nut.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Who do you go for?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

AB:<\/strong> “Dad goes for them, so I guess I just go for them as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are there any players you look up to or model your game on?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AB:<\/strong> “Definitely Tyla Hanks<\/strong>, I get compared to her a lot. In the AFLW she’s just a great player to watch and uses the ball very well and is very composed with it, so I like to take that into my game.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What kind of goals have you set up for the year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AB:<\/strong> “The main goal is to get drafted at the end of the year, but really just to make the Vic Country champs and play every single game I can with that, and to be injury free and play consistent footy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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