{"id":223898,"date":"2026-10-15T09:57:46","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T23:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=223898"},"modified":"2026-10-15T09:57:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T23:57:50","slug":"lion-cub-pritchard-close-to-aflw-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/10\/15\/lion-cub-pritchard-close-to-aflw-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"Lion cub Pritchard close to AFLW dream"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AN HONEST Aiyana Pritchard<\/a> conceded her season could have been better and she much prefers her forwardline role to running off a wing, but at the same time, enjoyed the experiences from her top-age year that made her the player she is today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I thought I had an alright season, good moments here or there,” Pritchard told Rookie Me Central <\/em>at the National Draft Combine. “Coming off a pretty good year last year, I think I set my standards a bit high. “I had big expectations coming into this year and I didn’t really think I met them at some points, but overall a pretty alright year. “Couldn’t be mad about it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pritchard burst onto the scene last year with her high-level athletics background catching the eye each time she ran out on the field. That running capacity lead to a role change moving from half-forward to the wing. While ultimately it was not her preferred spot, Pritchard said she would not be against further development in the position to get more accustomed to the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The wing I didn’t enjoy it that much, can’t lie,” Pritchard said. “Definitely more comfortable in the forwardline. “I think if I do get coached a bit more on the wing, a bit more understanding of how it works, I think I could have a good crack at it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lions Academy member said she enjoyed being the facilitator and finding the kick inside 50 to set up her teammates. That decision making and footy IQ is what improved the most for Pritchard in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I think that I’ve improved on understanding the game more,” she said. “Last year I was new coming into Academy and all that. Didn’t really know how to play, was just going into game off instinct. “This year actually getting talked to before games and what I need to do and actually understanding that and applying it in the game.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately Pritchard’s year ended with injury, but not before her on-field action had wrapped up. The National Academy member was awaiting knee surgery at the Draft Combine and unable to test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I have torn my meniscus, still waiting for the surgery around my knee,” she said. “But pretty unfortunate it happened so close to the combine. “Was prepping and getting ready for the combine but that just happened unexpectedly. “Still really exciting to be here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Hopefully recovery doesn’t take too long and I’ll be back before preseason next year if I do get drafted. “Hopefully I am back before preseason, recovered and well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The injury certainly didn’t dim her outlook on the event, with Pritchard enjoying both chatting to clubs and fellow draft prospects alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It was pretty exciting, didn’t expect it (combine invite) to be honest,” Pritchard said. “But to come to the National Combine, very grateful for the invitation. “Obviously can’t test at the moment, but still a great experience to be here with all the girls.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pritchard said being drafted by the Brisbane Lions would be perfect seeing as she lives just 15 minutes away from Brighton Homes Arena, or in her words “seven minutes, no traffic”. She understands the battle for list spots will come given the high-volume of Lions Academy prospects in the draft pool, but has not focused on it too intently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Doing that just puts a bit of pressure on me and girls around as well,” she said “Obviously it would be ideal to go to Brisbane if I do get called out there. “I live pretty close to the stadium, would definitely be ideal. “But I’m not opposed to going elsewhere, I think it would be a pretty cool experience to move out of home and experience that life living with new people and all that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No doubt Pritchard will waste little time getting to work when she is 100 per cent ready to go, with building connections. on and off the track a key focus for the Queenslander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Hopefully if I do get drafted, first point of call would definitely be to get around all my teammates, meet everyone, learn about them and the coaches off the field,” she said. “Then on the track just show my weapons and hopefully do enough to get a Round 1 game.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DRAFT FEATURES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New South Wales: <\/strong>Evie Bowie<\/a>, Frances Walsh<\/a>, Majella Day<\/a>, Morgan Stevens<\/a>
Queensland: <\/strong>Zoe Petrides<\/a>, Summer Browning<\/a>
South Australia:<\/strong> Emily Mableson<\/a>, Emma Charlton<\/a>, Ruby Lynch<\/a>
Vic Country: <\/strong>Greea McKeegan<\/a>, Lily Milner<\/a>, Eliza Roche<\/a>, Lacey Nihill<\/a>
Vic Metro: <\/strong>Bailee Martin<\/a>, Tayla Olivieri<\/a>, Maddison Meagher<\/a>, Brylee Anderson<\/a>, Grace McIntyre<\/a>, Alli Allen<\/a>, Emily Rankin<\/a>
Western Australia:<\/strong> Lexi Strachan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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