Get to know our draft hopefuls - Nyra Anderson

If Nyra Anderson is to be taken in the 2020 AFLW draft, it would have to be one of the feel good stories of the year.

Hailing from a rural town, Nyra has already had to face obstacles and responsibilities that some wouldn’t experience in their lifetime, including having to save up her own money to pay for her game fees.

An incredibly talented sportswoman on both the footy field and basketball court, her resilience shines through in the way she attacks the ball and wins the one on one contests.

A person who trains how she plays, her ability to read the game while getting her team mates involved shows great leadership in just her second year of senior football.

Nyra has had a small taste of what it is like to be an AFLW player, having spent time with the Fremantle Dockers as part of their football academy.  

We caught up with Nyra to talk footy, basketball, family and the draft.

When did you start playing footy?

I started playing when I was young. My brothers played and my dad always made sure I had a football in my hands from when I was like 3 or something. I played school footy but didn't actually join a club until I was in high school.

Why didn't you play for a club before high school?

Unfortunately we couldn’t afford it. My older brother played because he was sponsored or something, but yeah, I really wanted to play for a club but never did because we didn’t have the money.

Where did you play after high school?

I tried out for under 14s state school girls and in my first year I got a train-on. I tried out the next year and I made the team. I had to fundraise for me to go over and play in that side.

How did you first hear about Swan Districts?

My friend Aimee Hiscock was playing for them and said I should go down and try it too. So three of us went. We were all best friends in high school and as soon as I got there, it felt like home straight away. Swans have helped me out so much and they are a really good club. I didn’t have the money to play straight away, so I started working so I could save up and pay the fees.

What did you have to do to earn the money to pay the fees?

To play you had to pay your fees before finals, so I would clean up people’s back yards, do umpiring, clean houses, do canteen duties and more. I’d take anything I could get to save the money. Mum had some money that she could have given me but I knew she needed it for our other nine siblings. I really didn’t want to take the money, so I raised it myself so I could play.

You’re one of nine siblings?

Yeah. I have 6 brothers and 3 sisters. I’m the middle child.

Did you know any of the other girls, besides Aimee, before you came to Swans?

I came up against Bri (Brianna) and Micky (Mikayla) Hyde in primary school and high school games, and knew who they were.

What teams have you played for at Swans?

I played two years in Rogers Cup. In my first year there we were premiers. I then started playing league and this was my second year in the top side.
 

What strengths do you bring to the Swans?

Our team is pretty young, and although I’m young as well, I feel like I’m experienced. Even though I am only in my second year of league, I’ve been training with the league girls for a while now. My leadership is there, I use my voice and am a strong inside player who can get the ball out. I like to attack and apply pressure because I don’t like people passing me.

You were selected as part of the Freo Academy. What was that like?

It was a really amazing experience. We started off with four train-ons and I thought after that I’d get cut from it, but I didn’t get cut and they wanted me to stay on. Unfortunately COVID came and that got in the way. With the restrictions around professional footy at that time, if you weren’t part of the main team, you had to stop training with them. They gave me programs to continue with, which I still do now, because I couldn’t be there with them in person.

Who were some of the girls you learnt most from in your time there?

Mostly the midfielders I’d say. People like KJ (Katie-Jayne Grieve), Juddy (Kara Antonio) and all the other girls in the midfield group. They taught me heaps.

Is midfield where you hope to play?

Yes, definitely. But I’ll play anywhere. If I get drafted and they ask me to go in the backline then I’ll happily play there and do everything I can to learn that position. I do enjoy being in the middle and pushing forward though. I will take on any opportunity and do the best I can possibly do for myself and my team mates.

Is there anyone in the AFL or AFLW that you would compare yourself too?

I grew up liking players, but never really compared myself to them. I would look at how they played and tried to do what they did. I loved the way Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr played and look up to Michael Walters because he grew up on the same street as me. From the women’s I would say Kirby Bentley was one of the biggest inspirations for me and where I came from.
 

You’re a talented basketball player. What made you decide to pursue footy instead?

Footy is my real passion. From when I was little, I just always wanted to play footy no matter what level it was at. I didn’t care if it was the boys or anything, I just wanted to play and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. It is really important for my family too. I just want to make them proud.
 

With basketball, you’ve had the chance to play in tournaments around the world. Where have you played so far?

I’ve played in Cairns, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Bali.

Your name has been thrown up in draft conversations. Do you feel the pressure of that?

Yeah a little. There are only about seven spots for the girls to be drafted to WA teams, and there are some really strong players fighting for those spots. But for me, when the pressure is on I just try to eat it up and do everything I can to show I deserve one of the spots.

Have you had any clubs outside of WA contact you at all?

I recently got an email and message from a team who said they want to help work with me into the draft. That was really cool.

Your name is called out at draft night. What does that mean to you and your family?

It would mean a lot. From where and how I grew up I could show people that it doesn’t matter if you came from dirt, you can make it and live your dreams. I want to show the community where I grew up you can do anything. Even though Mum, Dad and my older brother have passed, I want to do it for them, as well as my younger brothers too. I don’t think I have the words to describe what it would mean to me to be drafted.
 

Who did you grow up barracking for?

Freo.

It was a shortened season. Are you happy with how you played on the field?

I believe I played my role well and was really consistent across each game. You always reflect of things you could do have done better, but in general I am happy with how I performed this year. 

Young boys have always had AFL heroes to look up to. How does it feel knowing that young girls will be able to look up to you now too?

It’s really good. I already have young girls texting me or coming up to me for advice, which is amazing. I am learning that you always need to be a good example because it doesn’t matter what age, someone is always looking at you.

The AFLW Draft will be held on Tuesday 6^th October from 7pm AEST, so make sure you tune in and support Nyra as she hopes to begin her football dream.