AFLW Draft 2023: Brisbane Lions Academy winger Sophie Peters on her road to the draft

Sophie Peters has been mentored by the Brisbane Lions’ best and based her game around two of their stars. On Monday night her heroes could become teammates.

Maroochydore Roos QAFLW star Sophie Peters. Picture: Facebook.

Four years ago the AFLW was little more than a dream to Brisbane Lions Academy product Sophie Peters.

On Monday night her heroes could become teammates.

The Lions Academy has a storied history of producing genuine superstars – and 18-year-old Peters has high hopes to one day follow in those footsteps.

For now though simply finding her way onto an AFLW list – something that only two years ago she never thought possible – would be a dream come true for the Sunshine Coast’s budding star.

“Last year was probably the first time I really thought I could have a shot at making the AFLW,” Peters told this masthead.

“Making the Queensland team as an under-ager and the Futures game as well, that made me realise if I put a lot more effort into this I could actually get picked up by a team.

Sophie Peters in action for Maroochydore in the QAFLW. Picture: Facebook.

“I think this year my game has gone to another level. Just being part of the national (AFLW) Academy, the Queensland team and the Lions Academy, all the different coaching has really helped me develop my game.”

Peters is fast, fit and can find the footy. She’s the prototypical AFLW winger.

Set to come off the same production line as Lions premiership wingers Jade Ellenger and Sophie Conway, it is little surprise the Maroochydore product uses those two players to measure her performance.

“Jade Ellenger is probably the person I try most to base my game off – and Sophie Conway as well. I really like the way they both play,” she said.

“We had a few Lions girls coach us in the Academy this year – Nat Grider, Shannon Campbell and Belle Dawes all coached in the Level 3 Academy and Emma Zielke was our head coach.

Brisbane Lions Academy winger Sophie Peters at the AFLW Combine. Photo: Ben Grimes

Brisbane Lions Academy winger Sophie Peters is expected to be picked up in Monday night's AFLW draft.

“It was so great to be coached by them … especially Belle, who is such a role model.

“You can ask her anything and she’s more than happy to give you tips. She’s been so helpful through the Academy this year and in general. She’s such a great person to be around.”

Peters nominated Queensland for the state-based AFLW draft.

It means only Brisbane and Gold Coast can bid on her come Monday night.

Fellow Lions Academy product Evie Long has nominated nationally, meaning any club in the competition can place a bid on her.

That may have thrown a spanner in Brisbane’s plans, given Long is expected to attract a first round bid which the Lions will have to use their pick No. 20 to match – should they choose to.

And then there is athletic tall forward Rania Crozier, who fills a glaring need on the Lions’ list following the departure of Analea McKee during the trade period.

She nominated Queensland as her preferred state, leaving the Lions with three top-end Academy talents to pursue.

But the Suns have two Academy stars of their own – Kiara Bischa and Sienna McMullen – to bid on.

Brisbane Lions Academy winger Sophie Peters is expected to be picked up in Monday night's AFLW draft.

All going well, Peters will land at the Lions.

“That’s always been the dream, ever since I started playing footy, so hopefully that is what happens,” she said.

“I’ve always gone for the Lions. I grew up playing soccer so I didn’t follow them much when I was younger, but they’ve been my team since I started playing footy.”

Originally published as AFLW Draft 2023: Brisbane Lions Academy winger Sophie Peters on her road to the draft