Young West Australian Sabrina Frederick-Traub was drafted to Melbourne in the AFL Women’s mini-draft. The full-forward, who can also pinch-hit in the ruck, prides herself on her strength and marking ability. Anna Harrington caught up with the forward ahead of the second women’s game.

Anna Harrington: It must have been exciting to have been picked up in this year’s mini-draft?

Sabrina Frederick-Traub: I wasn’t expecting it so I was very, very excited. I had been watching the game from when it started, so it’s unreal actually, to be picked up.

AH: You’re set to play against some of your West Australian teammates, including their ruck Emma King. Are you looking forward to that?

SFT: I’ve played with some of those players and they’ve got amazing talent so competing against them will be interesting but I’m very excited to give them a run for their money and see what I can do against them. It’s always good playing against my old teammates, so that’ll be great.

AH: So where do you like to play? We know you can play up forward and also move into the ruck?

SFT: I’ve always loved being a forward line player, I don’t mind pinch-hitting in the ruck but the forward line is definitely my stomping ground. So I’m hoping to start there and play most of the game in the forward line and hopefully kick a few goals for Melbourne – so that’s hopefully where I’ll be lining up.

AH: You’re set to play in a forward line featuring Tayla Harris and Chelsea Randall – you must be looking forward to that?

SFT: I’m very excited, I’ve known Tayla for a long time. I’ve watched her grow and played with her over in New Zealand (for a Youth Girls tournament)  but to have that talent alongside you, it just brings your game up and you want to play as well as them or even better. So playing alongside players like them, it just brings out the best in your game.

AH: You’ll also be playing with another young player in Brit Bonnici?

SFT: Brit is another one of my good friends – we’ve played alongside each other for a long time and I played in New Zealand with her. She’s an amazing talent, really quick, gets in amongst it all and definitely going to be a key aspect in our game – she’s definitely a game changer. So that will be great to see and play with her on the field.

AH: You’ve now been drafted to the elite level but where did the journey start for you?

SFT: Playing at school level [was when] I started playing footy. I moved over from England when I was nine and I moved to a new school and everyone was playing footy. I had no idea what the game was and playing with the boys was kind of my way in, and helped me get used to Australian life. My school coach actually saw talent in me, when I was playing at recess and lunch and invited me to the school trials. I eventually made the team and was the first girl ever to play for my school team and then he found out about the women’s league in WA – so he recommended me and I’ve been playing in the women’s league ever since really. I’ve just been moving up, trialling for state teams and fortunately making those and that’s basically my journey.

AH: Tell us a bit about your game style – what do you pride yourself on?

SFT: Overhead marks – I definitely like taking those big marks using my strength and I think I want to make an impact on the game. I’d love to be a real key for Melbourne, because I know that they were looking for someone who can deliver their goals and I’m hoping that’s what I can be for them. Basically I’ve been playing in the forward line for years and I think that it’s one of my strengths to get up there with my height and hopefully provide a strong marking target – that’s what I’m hoping for.

AH: You’ll be playing at Etihad Stadium on Sunday – have you played much footy in Melbourne?

SFT: I played state footy in Melbourne and also played in two high performance academy games, where they picked the best 27 girls and most of them are going to be in the draft game, which should be great. But for two years I did that, playing over in Melbourne, just getting amongst some of the best footy. So it’ll be great to be back here playing footy and hopefully I can be as good as the others out there.

AH: Which players are you looking forward to playing with and against in this game?

SFT: I’m excited to play with Kara Donnellan – she’s definitely a big name over in WA and one of the most hard-working people I know on and off the field. Definitely would be great to play alongside her again as I have in state games.

It’ll be interesting to ruck against Aasta O’Connor – I’ve always wanted to go up against her. I played against her in the WA v VIC game and I didn’t get many chances but I hope to go up against her again in the draft game, so that should be interesting.

AH: You’ve been coached by Michelle Cowan at Youth Girls and state level before  - you must be excited to be playing under her at the elite level?

SFT: I’ve known Michelle for a long time and we have a really good relationship. I’ve been coached by her about four times, for state level and international level when we went to New Zealand on tour. She’s an amazing coach, one of the best coaches I’ve ever had and she brings out something that most coaches don’t and that’s the drive in players to push over the line and play for each other. I’m very thankful to be coached by her and hopefully we’ll come through with another win for her. It should be great.