{"id":209748,"date":"2026-03-16T17:14:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T07:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=209748"},"modified":"2026-03-16T17:14:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T07:14:17","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-tayla-olivieri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/03\/16\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-tayla-olivieri\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Tayla Olivieri"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WESTERN Jets ball magnet and reigning best and fairest winner Tayla Olivieri<\/a> has come a long way since having to convince her sister and parents for her to play football. The small but tough onballer had a breakout 2025 season and is ready to go to another level in 2026 as she stands tall in the midfield, while also able to go forward and hit the scoreboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Olivieri at the Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day about her football journey, experiences through Vic Metro, influences and goals for the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TO:<\/strong>\u00a0“I actually started playing athletics, and then I saw all my friends doing footy so I was like to my parents ‘can i play footy?’ and they’re like ‘no you’re too little, you’re going to get hurt’. Then I was like ‘please, please, I really want to do it’ and then they go ‘if you can convince your sister to play you can play’, so I convinced her and she did. That’s how I started, so I’ve been playing footy since Under 14s top-age so not too much into footy so far, but I grew up watching my brothers and my dad in footy as my dad coached my brothers as well. I just love the whole atmosphere of the footy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Have you always been a midfielder since you started?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TO:<\/strong> “My dad did coach me and wanted me to play me everywhere just so I get a little feel for everywhere. I started mid, playing inside mid and then running forward as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Where do you enjoy playing the most?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TO:<\/strong> “I love the mid-forward rotation, but I’ve got to say forward.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s the Metro summer hub been like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TO:<\/strong> “It’s been great. I’ve learnt so much off it, how to be a professional athlete and just knowing all the things behind the scenes, what you actually need to know, not just to play footy. I’ve learnt so many things, made new friends.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TO:<\/strong> “I would say my dad. He’s inspired me a lot around the the footy side of things. Taught me a lot and he’s made me the person I am today.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: You played with Sierra Grieves who played a similar role to you, how much did you work with her?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TO:<\/strong> “Sierra was great to be around, and also being at school with her. I grew up with her playing with her for a few years and learnt so many things off her, how she plays her footy and she’s a gun right now playing for Richmond. But yeah, I look up to her so much and learn off how she plays her role.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Last year you had a breakout year, what was the catalyst for that?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TO:<\/strong>\u00a0“I would say just having more support in that midfield, because we didn’t have much of a structure based set before, so I think it’s helped a lot having that structure side of things getting into the mid and for our knowledge in the mid.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TO:<\/strong> “I would say my speed and my burst out of a contest, and my pressure and cleanliness.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TO:<\/strong> “Having more awareness and being more composed when I have the footy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TO:<\/strong> “I support Hawthorn.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s the reason, family?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TO:<\/strong> “I followed them in the AFL because my dad’s a mad Hawks fan. Can’t really switch clubs, got to stay at the Hawks.”<\/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

TO:<\/strong>\u00a0“My idol would be Cyril Rioli<\/strong> from Hawthorn. He’s a great forward, just love his game and his speed, his ability, he’s just outstanding.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TO:<\/strong>\u00a0“I just want to be a rolemodel in the midfield and get forward and kick some goals. Hopefully make it to the National Combine, make the Metro and All-Star team and get drafted as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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