Emma Zielke comes from rugby heartland to be the Brisbane Lions AFLW captain

FROM Bundaberg to the big time. Inaugural Brisbane Lions captain Emma Zielke has come from rugby heartland to become an AFL star.

Emma Zielke hails from Bundaberg. Picture: John Gass

FROM Bundaberg to the big time.

Brisbane captain Emma Zielke has come from rugby heartland to become an AFL star.

The 28-year-old modelled her game on one of the AFL’s greats, eats the same dinner before every game and loves a bit of talk on the field.

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Elite by foot, Zielke can also clonk a mark and is an exceptional leader.

Among the most decorated female footballers to come out of Queensland, having

captained her state and winning a QWAFL best-and-fairest, Zielke has been handed the honour of being the Lions’ inaugural captain.

Emma Zielke in action for Coorparoo in the QWAFL in 2014. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Name: Emma Zielke

Club: Brisbane Lions

Position: Midfielder

Age: 28

From: Coorparoo Navy Blues

WHO WAS YOUR SPORTING HERO GROWING UP?

I followed NRL a lot for the Brisbane Broncos so Darren Lockyer was a big one.

When I first moved over to AFL about 10 years ago I started following the Hawks. Sammy Mitchell was always one that stood out for me and he still does.

He is my favourite player. I see him as a really good player but also a great leader on and off the field.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE SPORTING MOMENT?

Being drafted is the best sporting moment and being named captain of the first team.

Before any of that it would have to be my first premiership. Captaining Coorparoo in 2013, to win the first premiership I’ve ever won was probably the best moment in my sporting career.

Emma Zielke was drafted by the Western Bulldogs in the 2015 women's exhibition draft. Picture: Richard Walker

WHO DID YOU BARRACK FOR GROWING UP?

I didn’t follow an AFL team. I grew up in a small Queensland town called Bundaberg. It was all NRL related.

My dad always said he was a Brisbane Lions fan. Ever since I started playing footy I’ve barracked for the Hawks.

COULD YOU EVER HAVE IMAGINED BEING A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER?

No, not at all.

Queensland footy wasn’t on the map at all. It was in a development stage at the time I came in and the competition was pretty poor but it has come along in leaps and bounds.

From when I first started, I don’t think I ever had this in my head, that we would be here, now a part of a league where we are getting paid to play footy.

It is just mind blowing really when you think of it.

WHICH OPPOSITION SIDE ARE YOU KEEPING AN EYE ON THIS YEAR?

I think the Western Bulldogs probably have the strongest core.

Brisbane Lions AFLW stars at Cirque Du Soleil (from left) Bree Koenen, Megan Hunt, acrobat Laura Kmetko and Emma Zielke. Picture: Jono Searle

WHO IS A LIONS PLAYER WE HAVEN’T HEARD OF, BUT WILL BE A STAR?

I think a girl called Kate Lutkins is in for a big season.

Unfortunately, due to work she has missed a lot of our Queensland representative games so she has flown under the radar.

She would be in our starting 18 every single time we’ve had a game like that. She is a strong bodied midfielder, she can go into defence, into the forward line and even play in the ruck if she had to. She is a real utility.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-GAME SUPERSTITIONS?

I just make sure I have the same dinner the night before and the same food on the day.

The dinner is spag bowl and garlic bread.

IS THERE MUCH SLEDGING IN WOMEN’S FOOTY?

I personally do it to all my mates on other teams.

I like to take it out of them on the field with a bit of cheek. I’d love it to be in our game.

I know I’m going to throw a bit of chat around. The message to our girls is going to be to get inside a few girls’ heads and throw a bit of chat around.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO NON-SUPPORTERS OF THE AFLW?

Just tune in.

You might think, it’s not a women’s game but I think as soon as they see the girls play and see our games and our league, they are going to be mind blown.

Originally published as Emma Zielke comes from rugby heartland to be the Brisbane Lions AFLW captain