{"id":223301,"date":"2026-10-05T12:28:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T02:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=223301"},"modified":"2026-10-05T12:28:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T02:28:26","slug":"petrides-thankful-for-opportunities-despite-late-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/10\/05\/petrides-thankful-for-opportunities-despite-late-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Petrides thankful for opportunities despite late injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A LATERAL collateral ligament (LCL) tear in Zoe Petrides<\/a>‘ season might have seen the Lions Academy member’s top-age year end on a sour note, but the Morningside product could not be happier with the way she performed throughout 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the semi-finals loss to Bond University, Petrides went down with the injury, but said she will be right to go for next year be it in Brisbane Lions, or another side’s colours. Sporting a leg brace at the National Draft Combine and therefore unable to complete any testing, Petrides said it was progressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It happened about a month ago now in my last QAFL game,” she said. “I just went to kick the ball and someone’s come across my leg and I tore my LCL. “I have to wear this brace for six weeks, so I’ve got two more weeks left with it, then just return to running type exercises and then hopefully be back in a couple of months.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the frustrating end to the season, Petrides described 2026 as “really good” and was thankful for getting the chance to play across multiple teams and leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I had a lot of good opportunities come up playing with Lions, playing with Queensland and also playing in QAFL was also good as well,” Petrides said. “I think every team that I’ve been in has really good culture so it’s been a really enjoyable year for footy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While fitness is set to be a big focus once she returns to running alongside her tackling pressure, Petrides said she had made strides in several areas throguhout the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I think I’d say just being clean around the ground, whether that’s in the air or on the ground,” she said. “I think that’s improved a lot for me, and also my work rate just to get to more stoppages. “Just to run in different directions has been an improvement.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petrides was one of 10 Brisbane Lions Academy members at either the National or State Draft Combines. With only so many spots on AFLW lists, the Morningside small said while Brisbane would be the ideal destination given the location and the relationship with the club over the years, she just wanted to play at the top level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I do think about it, but at the end of the day, I think the dream is just to get on an AFLW list, so wherever that takes me I think I’ll be happy,” Petrides said. “It would still be nice to stay at home with my family and friends, but if I do have to move away it would be a good opportunity to meet new people so I think I would be happy either way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lions Academy member is a natural forward who has spent minutes through the midfield, a rotation that she enjoys and is looking to continue. She said the forwardline is her “preferred” spot, but the challenge of “changing it up” to run through the middle is enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead to the preseason should Petrides land on an AFLW list, she said she wanted to maintain her confidence that she has built throughout this year and take it to the elite level to endear herself to her new teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I think just be confident and show that I do belong there and I was drafted for a reason if that does happen,” Petrides said. “I don’t want to go into my shell too much because I don’t think that will help at all, and just try and show that I’m a good teammate and can help the team be better.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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