2021 will be a year to remember for the University of Queensland’s Luka Yoshida-Martin.

Just weeks after nabbing the 2021 QAFLW Premiership the whirlwind journey continues for Yoshida-Martin who joins another Premiership winning team in the Brisbane Lions, after she was taken at Pick No.53 in the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft.

And she won’t have to try too hard to make some friends as she joins UQ teammates Breanna Koenen, Sharni Webb, Nat Grider, Dakota Davidson, Greta Bodey and Maria Moloney in Lions’ colours for the 2022 NAB AFLW season.

It’s been a swift rise to the elite level for the 20-year-old, having only made the switch from soccer to football in her teenage years.

Despite facing a quad injury and significant time out of the game early in the 2021 QAFLW season, Yoshida-Martin dedicated herself to her rehab to work her way back into the UQ side and put together some of her strongest football yet.

A standout performance that featured a critical early goal saw the small forward named in the side’s best, alongside her Lions’ teammates Davidson, Koenen and Bodey.

A seemingly natural footballer who makes smart decision by hand and foot, AFLW Head Coach Craig Starcevich says that Yoshida-Martin presents an exciting prospect for the game.

“For someone who only took up footy a few years ago, Luka has a great feel for the game,” Starcevich said.

“Anyone watching her in the QAFLW over the past two seasons will note how well she reads the game and seems to have time to get out of trouble and use the ball effectively.

“She has great goal sense and X-Factor and we are looking forward to seeing how far she can progress athletically in an AFLW program.”