The chance to spend a week immersed in an AFLW program could prove invaluable for Northern Territory product Tatyana Perry. 

The teenager, who’s a member of both the NT Academy and AFL Academy, trained and played alongside the Gold Coast SUNS AFLW squad during a week’s stay in the Sunshine State.

Perry laced up the boots in practice matches against a QAFLW side and West Coast during the stay and says it was a fantastic opportunity to understand what it takes to reach the heights of the AFLW.

“I got the opportunity to come down and be part of the team for the week which was a great opportunity,” Perry said.

“The girls got around me which was great.

“The first game was fun… it’s a lot more physical compared to games up in the NT.”

“The week was spent training with the girls and getting the opportunity to do things I don’t at home.

“I spent time with (AFLW dietician) Alyssa (Koenen), learning about nutrition and little things like that. On field, getting to learn off the squad, seeing how they set up and their structures has been great to see.”

Familiar faces greeted Perry on the Gold Coast with the likes of Ashanti Bush and Annabel Kievit having previously walked a similar path from the Territory to Carrara.

The 17-year-old said it didn’t take long to feel right at home.

“I spent a lot of time with Dupes (Jac Dupuy) and Lucy (Single). They both got around me quite a bit… they’re both quite funny and I learned plenty from them during the week.”

Perry has already co-captained NTFLW outfit Palmerston and now has her eyes set on preparing for this year’s AFLW draft combine.

“(My goals are) probably just to make the draft combine. I’m really focused on that, I’ve been training as much as I can back home. 

“That’s my #1 priority this year.

“The game is a lot more physical and faster than what I’ve played before so they’re things I’ll look to work on too.”