How shelving gymnastics for footy set up Strong’s AFLW dream

Tasmania AFLW draftee Sophie Strong thought her dream was over after injury wiped out her season. But switching from gymnastics to footy has paid off after the young gun vaulted onto Essendon’s list. Read Strong’s reaction here.

Tasmania's AFLW draftee Sophie Strong in Essendon colours. Picture: Essendon FC

Tasmanian AFLW draftee Sophie Strong said she “honestly thought my dream was over” after second serious injury ruined her 2024 season.

But after Essendon’s strong show of faith, the Sandy Bay and North Hobart product is blazing a trail set by Launceston’s Mia King by successfully swapping gymnastics for footy.

After playing for the All Stars against the National Academy, the 18-year-old tore her ACL in her first game for the Devils.

She returned after nearly three months out for two club games at North Hobart and an eye catching display for Allies, before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in her second national championships outing.

Her underage season in 2023 was outstanding enough for the Bombers to snap up the teenager renowned for her speed and high defensive pressure at pick 35.

“It (ankle injury) was a pretty devastating time. Honestly I thought my dream was over,” Strong said.

“But I kept my head down and kept working and kept going to training, putting in the hours and distracting myself until draft night.

“I wasn’t expecting to go at pick 35, more later in the draft. But when my name was called out on the TV it was so surreal, just a shock and a lot of screaming and crying.

“I had a pretty good interview with their recruitment manager, but apart from that I hadn’t heard much. My manger told me I was on their board for draft night but that’s all I knew, it was very unexpected.

“I’m very grateful they’ve given me the chance to do my thing, and improve in their high performance environment.”

Strong had a standout first Coates Talent League season in 2023, and was tipped to go even earlier in the draft had she been playing this year.

North Hobart and Tassie Devils young gun Sophie Strong was selected by Essendon in Monday's AFLW Draft. Picture: Linda Higginson/Solstice Digital

“I was pretty happy. I think what stood out was my pressure on the ball and competitiveness, and speed on the ball which helped me break out of contests,” she said.

“Having a high athletic profile also helps. I can be pretty versatile with that which means hopefully they can put me anywhere on the field.”

Like North Melbourne premiership winner King, Strong was a gymnast before the team aspect and physicality of football won out.

She played her first game in 2019 for Sandy Bay before later making the move to North Hobart.

“I did gymnastics for about ten years of my life. I feel like my strength and explosiveness came from that, which really helped me develop that athleticism,” she said.

“My first game was when one of my friends dragged me along to training. Footy didn’t get serious until the end of 2020 when I quit gymnastics, I loved footy and that’s what I wanted to do with my life.

“I got a few state champion medals on beam and vault, and made the state team.

“It’s just being surrounded by a team (that drew me to football. Gymnastics was a very individual sport where you were expected to be a perfectionist, whereas in footy you can make a mistake and make up for it during the game.”

Strong toured Essendon’s facilities this week and has already chatted with Mackenzie Ford, her former Devils teammate drafted by Richmond last year.

“Mackenzie Ford has already reached out, and congratulated me and offered advice,” she said. “She’s also in Melbourne so that will be handy, and she’ll be my first base for support I reckon.

“The biggest thing will be the lifestyle move to Melbourne, a bit different to little Tassie. But I’m not concerned about anything on the field or the footy aspects, I like a high pressure environment and feel like I work well in that.”