Claudia Gunjaca’s move to defence proved a masterstroke in AFLW Season 7.
After playing four games as a forward in her first season, Gunjaca switched to defence and relished the opportunity the familiar position afforded her.
The 25-year-old had initially joined Geelong’s VFLW program in 2021 as a defender, and started her first season as a Cat in the back line, before an appearance up forward unleashed a new dimension in the state league Cats’ attack, and saw her spend most of her year in attack.
So strong was her first season in the Hoops, Gunjaca won the Cats’ VFLW Best and Fairest Award and was picked up by the club’s AFLW program as a mature-age recruit, as part of Geelong’s list-building concessions following the 2021 season.
Gunjaca was one of three VFLW Cats to earn their spot on the senior list.
Ruck Liv Fuller was also selected as a pre-draft mature-age recruit, while intercepting defender/wing Annabel Johnson was taken with pick 15 in the 2021 AFLW Draft.
All three have now firmly cemented their spots in the Cats AFLW team, with Claudia Gunjaca playing a vital role in the backline, Johnson reading the play beautifully to intercept across half-back and launch the Cats into attack, and Liv Fuller taking on the number-one ruck mantel at the club and teaming well with Geelong’s brilliant midfield.
Geelong’s VFLW recruiting continued ahead of Season 7, with forward Mia Skinner earning her second chance at AFLW level after injury derailed her first stint at the top, while versatile tall Melissa Bragg and young ruck Kalani Scoullar were also called up as replacement players after Maddy McMcMahon and Sammy Gooden were moved to the inactive list.
The recruiting also extended to the coaching department, with 2021-22 VFLW Senior Coach Andrew Bruce joining the AFLW ranks.
“Andrew Bruce, who was senior coach of the VFLW program, is now a development coach in the AFLW program, so there’s really good synergy there,” Geelong Cats Head of AFLW and Pathways Brett Johnson said.
“He’s coached Bel, Clauds, Liv, Mia and Braggs through that time, too, so that’s been really positive, and now we have Elise Coventry who is going to coach the VFLW side this year, who is an assistant coach in the AFLW program.
“So again, it just helps with that integration, which is going to be really important for us going forward, given this year’s draft is going to be the same draft pool as last season, so I’m sure there will be some more talent coming through our VFLW program.”
The synergy between Geelong’s AFLW and VFLW programs has been strong over the years, with the coaching groups working closely together as they build a strong foundation for women’s football at the club.
Young AFLW stars Darcy Moloney and Laura Gardiner are two examples of players who have used their time in the VFLW program between AFLW seasons to strongly develop their games, leading to regular senior appearances as they’ve made their spots their own in the senior team
The Cats’ VFLW team has focused strongly on development, but great cohesion between players and a strong game plan have seen the Cats play finals in the past four seasons, making the Grand Final in 2018 (where they finished runner-up) and 2021 (before the decider was called off due to Covid restrictions).
With the AFL set to introduce a one-off overage draft ahead of the 2023 season – given there have been no junior competitions since the previous draft was held – state league players will be high on many club’s recruiting wishlists this year.
The 2023 VFLW season will begin in late March, with the fixture yet to be released.
