Tahlia Randall
{{short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Tahlia Randall
| image = Tahlia Randall 27.03.21 (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Randall playing for North Melbourne in 2021
| fullname = Tahlia Randall
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|05|29|df=y}}
| birth_place = Buderim, Queensland
| originalteam = Wilston Grange (QWAFL)
| draftpick = No. 15, 2016 national draft
| debutdate = Round 1, 2017
| debutteam = {{AFLW|Bri}}
| debutopponent = {{AFLW|Mel}}
| debutstadium = Casey Fields
| height = 175cm
| position = Key defender / key forward
| currentclub = {{AFLW|NM}}
| guernsey = 16
| years1 = 2017–2018
| club1 = {{AFLW|Bri}}
| games_goals1 = 15 {{0}}(0)
| years2 = 2019–
| club2 = {{AFLW|NM}}
| games_goals2 = 61 (43)
| games_goalstotal = 76 (43)
| statsend = the 2023 season
| careerhighlights = *AFLW premiership player: 2024
- North Melbourne equal games record holder
- North Melbourne leading goalkicker: 2022 (S7)
- AFLW Mark of the Year: 2022 (S6)
- AFL Women's Rising Star nominee: 2018
}}
Tahlia Randall (born 29 May 1998) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the North Melbourne Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW). Randall previously played for the Brisbane Lions in 2017 and 2018, where she received a nomination for the 2018 AFL Women's Rising Star award in round 6 of the 2018 season. She won the AFLW Mark of the Year in 2022 season 6, and is also North Melbourne's equal games record holder with 48 games for the club.
Early life
Randall was born in Buderim, Queensland and is of New Zealand descent through her mother,{{cite news|title=Kiwi defender relishing new role at North Melbourne|url=https://aflnz.co.nz/news/kiwi-defender-relishing-new-role-at-north-melbourne/|work=AFL New Zealand|date=23 February 2022|access-date=3 March 2022}} Jenny.{{cite news|last=Nolan|first=Alex|title=VIDEO: Coast gets behind Lions for AFLW grand final|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/sport/video-coast-gets-behind-lions-for-aflw-grand-final/news-story/72b386af4a7e9ccaba556e274d28f6a0|work=The Courier-Mail|date=24 March 2017|access-date=3 March 2022}} She attended Kuluin State School and Mountain Creek State High School. She grew up supporting the {{AFL BL}}, and her favourite player was Simon Black.{{cite web|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=10 questions with ... Kangaroo Tahlia Randall|url=https://womens.afl/news/54667/10-questions-with-kangaroo-tahlia-randall|work=womens.afl|date=28 December 2020|access-date=28 December 2020}} Randall played junior football for the Kawana and Nambour/Maroochydore youth girls teams, and played school football for Mountain Creek, until graduating.{{cite web|title=Brisbane Lions Cup – Secondary Girls|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-4609-0-0-0&sID=108278&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=30990181|work=SportsTG|date=24 September 2014|access-date=13 August 2017}} She then played for the Wilston Grange Football Club in the Queensland Women's Australian Football League (QWAFL) in 2016 before being drafted.
AFL Women's career
=Brisbane (2017–2018)=
Randall was drafted by {{AFLW|Bri}} with its second selection and fifteenth overall in the 2016 AFL Women's draft.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=As it happened: 2016 AFL Women's Draft|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-10-12/live-blog-2016-afl-womens-draft|work=afl.com.au|date=12 October 2016|access-date=13 September 2017}} Randall made her AFL Women's debut in the Lions' inaugural match against {{AFLW|Mel}} at Casey Fields in round 1 of the 2017 season.{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Lions take the points in AFLW wild weather clash|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-05/match-report-melbourne-v-brisbane-lions|work=afl.com.au|date=5 February 2017|access-date=13 February 2018}} She went on to play seven games in her debut season, playing predominantly as a key defender, missing only the round 4 win over {{AFLW|GWS}} due to a shoulder injury.{{cite news|last=de Haer|first=Katie|title=Randall returns for top of the table clash|url=https://www.lions.com.au/news/2017-03-02/team-top-of-the-table-clash|work=lions.com.au|date=2 March 2017|access-date=4 March 2019}} Randall played in the six-point 2017 AFL Women's Grand Final loss to {{AFLW|Ade}}.{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=Match report: Crows soar to flag in thriller|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-25/match-report-aflw-grand-final|work=afl.com.au|date=25 March 2017|access-date=13 September 2017}} Brisbane signed Randall for the 2018 season during the trading and signing period in May 2017.{{cite web|title=AFLW: All the clubs' full lists after trade period|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-26/aflw-all-the-clubs-full-lists-after-trade-period|work=afl.com.au|date=26 May 2017|access-date=5 June 2017}}
After making a permanent move to the ruck in her second season, Randall had an impressive start to the 2018 season, achieving selection in the team of the week in rounds 2{{cite news|last1=Black|first1=Sarah|last2=Buxton|first2=Aaron|title=AFLW Team of the Week: Demons dominate|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-13/aflw-team-of-the-week-demons-dominate|work=afl.com.au|date=13 February 2018|access-date=13 February 2018}} and 4.{{cite news|last=Navaratnam|first=Dinny|title=AFLW Team of the Week: Six Dogs make it|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-27/aflw-team-of-the-week-six-dogs-make-it|work=afl.com.au|date=27 February 2018|access-date=27 February 2018}} She later received a nomination for the 2018 AFL Women's Rising Star award after recording seven disposals, three marks and nine hit-outs in Brisbane's round 6 loss to {{AFLW|Col}} in heavy rain.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW: Crow and Lion win Rising Star nominations|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-13/aflw-crow-and-lion-win-rising-star-nominations|work=afl.com.au|date=13 March 2018|access-date=13 March 2018}} Randall went on to play in the 2018 AFL Women's Grand Final loss to the {{AFLW|WB}}, Brisbane's second consecutive grand final loss.{{cite news|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|title=AFLW match report: Dogs take out flag|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-24/aflw-grand-final-match-report-western-bulldogs-v-brisbane|work=afl.com.au|date=24 March 2018|access-date=24 March 2018}} She finished the season with the third-most hit-outs in the competition (140), after leading the statistic earlier in the season.
=North Melbourne (2019–present)=
File:Tahlia Randall 19.01.19 (cropped).jpg
On 11 May 2018, after appearing at her junior club Kawana only days earlier as part of her AFL Women's Rising Star nomination,{{cite news|title=Best yet to come from AFLW rising star|url=https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/best-yet-to-come-from-aflw-rising-star/3409735/|newspaper=Sunshine Coast Daily|date=8 May 2018|access-date=11 May 2018}} Randall was signed by {{AFLW|NM}} at the beginning of the trading and signing period ahead of the club's inaugural season in the AFL Women's, along with teammate Jamie Stanton,{{cite web|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW: Roos, Cats start list builds ahead of '19|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-11/aflw-roos-cats-start-list-builds-ahead-of-debuts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511150349/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-11/aflw-roos-cats-start-list-builds-ahead-of-debuts|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 May 2018|work=afl.com.au|date=11 May 2018|access-date=11 May 2018}} and teammates Kaitlyn Ashmore and Brittany Gibson later joined them.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW: Cats, Roos land big fish as '19 lists take shape|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-21/aflw-roos-cats-start-list-builds-ahead-of-debuts.mobileapp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129010002/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-21/aflw-roos-cats-start-list-builds-ahead-of-debuts.mobileapp|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 January 2019|work=afl.com.au|date=17 May 2018|access-date=2 November 2018}} She remained in the number 16 guernsey that she previously wore for Brisbane. Randall later played for Gold Coast in the inaugural AFL Women's Winter Series in June and July.{{cite news|last=Wingard|first=Ant|title=Brisbane and Gold Coast head south for a Winter Series|url=https://www.aflq.com.au/brisbane-and-gold-coast-head-south-for-a-winter-series-with-countless-benefits-brisbane-and-gold-coast-head-south-for-a-winter-series-with-countless-benefits/|work=AFL Queensland|date=7 June 2018|access-date=28 January 2019}}
Randall returned to her familiar position as a defender at her second club, and made her North Melbourne debut in the club's inaugural match against {{AFLW|Car}} at North Hobart Oval in round 1 of the 2019 season.{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Stu|title=Match report: Roos thrash Blues on memorable debut|url=https://womens.afl/news/15891/match-report-roos-thrash-blues-on-memorable-debut|work=womens.afl|date=3 February 2019|access-date=4 March 2019}} Randall was twice cited by Match Review Officer Michael Christian during the season; she was offered a reprimand for an incident in round 2{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Giant sent straight to Tribunal for off-the-ball bump|url=https://womens.afl/news/16379/giant-sent-straight-to-tribunal-for-off-the-ball-bump|work=womens.afl|date=11 February 2019|access-date=4 March 2019}} and a $400 fine for an incident in round 5.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Roos defender charged with rough conduct on Crows star|url=https://womens.afl/news/16965/roos-defender-charged-with-rough-conduct-on-crows-star|work=womens.afl|date=4 March 2019|access-date=4 March 2019}} Randall signed a two-year contract with North Melbourne during the trade and sign period in April 2019.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Sign and Trading Period wrap: Lion becomes a Tiger|url=https://womens.afl/news/17827/aflw-sign-and-trading-period-wrap-lion-becomes-a-tiger|work=womens.afl|date=16 April 2019|access-date=16 April 2019}}
Randall had a good start to the 2021 season, achieving selection in womens.afl{{'}}s Team of the Week in round 1 after accumulating nine spoils.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round one|url=https://womens.afl/news/58297|work=womens.afl|date=2 February 2021|access-date=2 February 2021}} She kicked her first career goal the following week against {{AFLW|StK}},{{cite news|last=Cleary|first=Mitch|title=Kangas overwhelm young Saints to remain unbeaten|url=https://womens.afl/news/59239/kangas-overwhelm-young-saints-to-remain-unbeaten|work=womens.afl|date=7 February 2021|access-date=10 February 2021}} and was again named in the Team of the Week.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round two|url=https://womens.afl/news/59968/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-two|work=womens.afl|date=9 February 2021|access-date=10 February 2021}} It was revealed she signed on with the club for two more seasons on 17 June 2021, tying her to the club until the end of 2023.{{cite web|title=AFLW: Roos eye the future|url=https://www.nmfc.com.au/news/959490/aflw-roos-eye-the-future|last1=Zanardo|first1=Karla|access-date=19 June 2021|work=North Media|date=17 June 2021}} Randall achieved selection in Champion Data's 2021 AFLW All-Star stats team, after leading the league for average spoils in the 2021 AFL Women's season, totalling 3.7 a game.{{cite web|title=All-Star stats team: Shock leaders, lone Lion makes the cut|url=https://womens.afl/news/72761/all-star-stats-team-shock-leaders-lone-lion-makes-the-cut|work=womens.afl|access-date=19 June 2021|date=19 June 2021|last1=Black|first1=Sarah}}
Randall's pack mark in the third quarter of North Melbourne's win over Greater Western Sydney in round 3 of 2022 season 6 was voted by fans as mark of the round.{{cite web|title=Toyota AFLW Mark of the Year: Round Three winner - Tahlia Randall|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE2Gngq7j9Y|work=YouTube|date=28 January 2022|access-date=30 January 2022}}
Statistics
Updated to the end of the 2022 season 6.{{cite web|title=Tahlia Randall – player stats by season|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/Tahlia+Randall/19969|work=Australian Football|accessdate=8 January 2022}}
{{Australian rules football statistics legend}}
{{AFLW player statistics start}}
|- style=background:#EAEAEA
| 2017 || {{AFLW|Bri}} || 16
| 7 || 0 || 0 || 32 || 11 || 43 || 14 || 12 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 4.6 || 1.6 || 6.1 || 2.0 || 1.7 || 0
|-
| 2018 || {{AFLW|Bri}} || 16
| 8 || 0 || 0 || 37 || 16 || 53 || 9 || 24 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 4.6 || 2.0 || 6.6 || 1.1 || 3.0 || 0
|- style=background:#EAEAEA
| 2019 || {{AFLW|NM}} || 16
| 7 || 0 || 0 || 39 || 10 || 49 || 17 || 18 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 5.6 || 1.4 || 7.0 || 2.4 || 2.6 || 0
|-
| 2020 || {{AFLW|NM}} || 16
| 7 || 0 || 0 || 45 || 10 || 55 || 18 || 14 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 6.4 || 1.4 || 7.9 || 2.6 || 2.0 || 0
|- style=background:#EAEAEA
| 2021 || {{AFLW|NM}} || 16
| 10 || 1 || 0 || 64 || 19 || 83 || 26 || 16 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 6.4 || 1.9 || 8.3 || 2.6 || 1.6 || 1
|-
| 2022 (S6) || {{AFLW|NM}} || 16
| 11 || 9 || 9 || 46 || 16 || 62 || 20 || 29 || 0.8 || 0.8 || 4.2 || 1.5 || 5.7 || 1.8 || 2.6 || 0
|- class=sortbottom
! colspan=3 | Career
! 50 !! 10 !! 9 !! 263 !! 82 !! 345 !! 104 !! 113 !! 0.2 !! 0.2 !! 5.3 !! 1.6 !! 6.9 !! 2.1 !! 2.3 !! 1
|}
Honours and achievements
Team
- AFL Women's minor premiership ({{AFLW|Bri}}): 2017
Individual
- North Melbourne equal games record holder
- AFLW Mark of the Year: 2022 (S6)
- AFL Women's Rising Star nominee: 2018
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{NMplayer}}
- {{AustralianFootball}}
- {{Instagram|id=tahlia_randall}}
{{North Melbourne AFL Women's player squad}}
{{2024 North Melbourne premiership players (AFLW)}}
{{AFL Women's club games record holders}}
{{Inaugural Brisbane Lions AFL Women's team}}
{{Inaugural North Melbourne AFL Women's team}}
{{North Melbourne leading goalkickers}}
{{AFLW Mark of the Year}}
{{2018 AFL Women's Rising Star nominees}}
{{2015 AFL women's mini-draft}}
{{2016 AFL Women's draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Randall, Tahlia}}
Category:Sportswomen from Queensland
Category:Brisbane Lions (AFLW) players
Category:North Melbourne Football Club (AFLW) players
Category:Australian rules footballers from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland