{"id":214334,"date":"2026-05-11T08:41:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T22:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=214334"},"modified":"2026-05-11T08:41:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T22:41:59","slug":"2026-aflw-draft-qa-shaya-yarran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/05\/11\/2026-aflw-draft-qa-shaya-yarran\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Shaya Yarran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MOVING clubs over the off-season to land at Swan Districts to join her sister Summer<\/strong>, Shaya Yarran<\/a> has started 2026 in fine form playing off a wing and most recently spending time inside 50. We spoke to the West Australian top-ager at the Preseason Testing Day about her footy journey, game, inspirations and goals for the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Shaya, just give us a bit of a rundown into your footy journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SY:<\/strong> “I started playing footy when I was 13 and I started at my school Cecil Andrews. I was playing with the boys so it was pretty tough, grew up tough. Then I played footy at Kelmscott then got picked up by the Rogers girls at South. Played two years there, then ended it and moved over to Swans this year. I’ve also played state 16s for two years and then I moved into 18s as a 16-year-old and now continuing with with 18s squad going into my draft year.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s it been like since moving to Swans?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SY:<\/strong> “At Swans, it’s a very good environment. The girls are very intense with training, definitely a very good club.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What position are you hoping to play this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SY:<\/strong> “Hopefully play small forward again pretty much.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SY:<\/strong> “In my game I’m pretty agile, pretty quick, pretty smart with my footy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SY:<\/strong> “Probably just my power, with even more strength. Knowing that I’m quick with a bit more power on me can definitely make me a lot better.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SY:<\/strong> “Probably my dad. He’s definitely a very footy bloke, he got me into footy and he’s definitely someone who pushes me very hard.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SY:<\/strong> “Freo.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Any reason for Fremantle over West Coast?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SY:<\/strong> “Just always went for Freo in the girls, and I’m in the NGA squad so just being around the girls is definitely a good environment.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Do you have any family ties to the AFL Yarrans?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SY:<\/strong> “Shane Yarran<\/strong>, he did pass away, but he was my uncle.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

SY:<\/strong> “Hopefully to get picked up in the winter squad, go into the National Combine and get drafted at the end of the year.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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