AS the postponement of all seasons commenced over the last week, we head back to the preseason a month earlier where we chatted to a number of athletes across the country. In a special Question and Answer (Q&A) feature, Draft Central‘s Taylah Melki chatted with Queensland’s Tiarna Jericho at the state testing day hosted by Rookie Me.

TM: How did you get into footy?

TJ: “I got into footy probably because of my siblings. “So they were both playing and I just thought I’d give it a try. I was originally playing hockey as well, so I just gave a couple of games a go and I just loved it.”

You still play hockey?

“I gave hockey the flick probably about … this is my second year not playing. “It was a little bit different, not playing, but I just love footy so much.”

What is it that you love about footy so much?

“I really love the physicality and the unpredictability of the game. “Every game is new and you can’t go in there thinking ‘this is what’s going to happen’ because everything’s just so unpredictable. “I just love the camaraderie with all your mates. “It’s such a good team atmosphere.”

Is there a particular area you’re hoping to improve on in your game?

“In my game I’d really like to improve my in the air ability. “I’m more of an in-and-under player. “I’d love to be able to take those really spectacular marks and get those really clean hands.”

You said you’re an in-and-under player, would you say that is one of your strengths?

“Yeah, so I’m quite an aggressive player. “So I put my body on the line and just go at the ball as hard as I can and just try and win that ball on the ground.”

Is that a hard thing to do, just to go for it and not worry about the physical contact that might be coming?

“To be honest, I don’t think that part switches off in my brain. “So in all aspects of life I just go straight at it and just give it my all and see where it takes me.”

How is balancing training and studying going?

“Being in Grade 12 it’s quite challenging. “I find that I pretty much have no down time. “It’s pretty much footy, school and sleep. “Look, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

How many nights are you training a week?

“I’ve got two Academy sessions, and then two club sessions. “Plus a few gym sessions a week, so yeah it’s pretty full on.”

How have you found it different with the Academy sessions compared to the club sessions?

“I find it quite different. “The Academy has a larger number of people. “I guess the skill level is a little bit higher, however it is different, but I like both for different reasons.”

What are you hoping to get out of this season?

“This season I’m just really hoping to improve my skills and just hone in on the things I need to improve on just to make me better in the future.”

Travel wise, do you have a lot of travel?

“Yeah so living in Toowoomba and travelling to Brisbane. “That’s like two hours down to Brisbane for training and then two hours back, so that’s like six hours out of my day just for football training. “So yeah it’s pretty full on, definitely would be a lot easier if I was in Brisbane, but at the same time you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

Do you have your licence or do you have to rely on your parents?

“I do have my licence, except my parents often… you know they want to take a bit of the load off me and give me a bit of a little bit of a break so sometimes when I’m travelling, I can stay in the car and just have a nap on the way down or something. “So they’re really supportive with it.”

Do you have any role models?

“I just love Erin Phillips. I love her drive and her dedication and everything. “She’s just so talented and I just really look up to her and how she holds herself in the manner of the game.”

Is she someone you’re hoping to emulate on the field as well?

“Yeah 100 per cent. “If I could even be the slightest bit like Erin Phillips, I’d be happy.”