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Coming into season seven of AFLW second year ruck Sarah Lakay had big shoes to fill tasked with leading the ruck following Parris Laurie’s retirement. The 19-year-old was outstanding in her new role earning herself a Rising Star nomination after an impressive showing against Fremantle in round five where she had 42 hit-outs. Standing at 186cm Lakay is on track to be one of the next great rucks in the League and was second in the entire competition for average hit outs with 26.2 per game. Her ascension this year was to no surprise of Eagles coaches after she smashed records at the AFLW Draft Combine in the standing vertical jump (72cm) and the running vertical jump (82cm). Playing in all ten matches this season to add to the eight she played on debut, Lakay is starting to get some valuable experience under her belt since crossing codes to football from basketball at the start of 2022. Her athletic ability and football smarts have been invaluable assets for the team this season and she will be a central cog within this Eagles' side for seasons to come.