{"id":211033,"date":"2026-03-30T08:59:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T22:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=211033"},"modified":"2026-03-30T08:59:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T22:59:35","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-lila-evans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/03\/30\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-lila-evans\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Lila Evans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HAILING from the same local club as recent Essendon draftee Maggie Johnstone, new Greater Western Victoria Rebels (GWV) top-ager Lila Evans<\/a> is ready to follow in her footsteps. The talented South Warrnambool prospect is making a move inside in 2026 and will look to build on her already impressive game as a member of the Vic Country hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Evans at the Talent League Girls Testing Day about her football journey, game, inspirations and goals for the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LE: <\/strong>“I started playing footy in 2024 for South Warrnambool and I did a year there in the Under 18s and then last year I started player Under 18s for Rebels.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What was that rise like coming from local footy to the Rebels?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“It was a really big step up for me. It took a while to get used to it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: You come from the same club as Maggie Johnstone (South Warrnambool), has she has a lot of influence on you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“Yeah Maggie had a huge influence on my footy career. She pushed me to start playing for South as well, she really pushed me to get here.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How are you feeling now coming into your top-age year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“I’m feeling really good, really prepared for this year. I think it will be a really good year.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What role do you see yourself playing this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“Usually my main position is wing but I’ve been training with the midfield so hopefully I’ll get a few minutes in there.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Where did you play at local level?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“Midfield mainly.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LE: <\/strong>“My biggest strengths would definitely be my speed and driving my legs, and also my kicking ability.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What about improvements you’re looking to make?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“Definitely my strength in the contest, being able to win more balls on the ground.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How’s the Vic Country hub been over the summer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“Yeah it’s been really good. I met a lot of people as well which was really good, and I think it’s set me up for a really big season. Learnt a lot of f the coaches and girls.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LE:\u00a0<\/strong>“Zippy Fish<\/strong>. I feel like she has a lot of attributes same as me like her speed and her run. I definitely try and watch her and take some key things off her.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LE: <\/strong>“I go for the Sydney Swans in the AFLW and I go for Geelong in the men’s.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s the reasoning behind those two?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“I go for Geelong because my Pa did so it was family based and near Warrnambool. I go for Sydney in the AFLW because I like all the players, I think they’re all really strong so I catch myself watching them more and try and model my game on them.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

LE: <\/strong>“Definitely my family, mainly my dad. He really pushed me to get to where I am, and also my friends have a lot of input on it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Finally, what goals have you set for yourself this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LE: <\/strong>“My goal this year would be to play more midfield and also I think we’ll win a lot of games as a team so coming together and being strong as a team would be a good goal.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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