For first-year Cat Renee Morgan, every training session has been another opportunity to learn, adapt and continue building towards the upcoming AFLW season.
After being drafted to Geelong last year, Morgan has spent the opening months of her first pre-season soaking up as much knowledge as possible from an experienced playing group, while also earning valuable minutes with the VFLW side.
With Geelong boasting a talented midfield, Morgan knew opportunities would not come easily, but she has embraced the challenge.
“We have a very strong midfield,” Morgan said. “It’s pretty hard to break in as a first-year player, so I just wanted to get some solid midfield time”.
Those opportunities at VFLW level have allowed the young midfielder to continue developing her game while adjusting to the increased intensity of a higher level.
She identified quick hands, quick decision-making and increasing her sprint efforts as key areas of focus throughout the pre-season, while continuing to adjust to the speed of the game.
Morgan has also valued the chance to learn from the experienced midfield group throughout her first few months at the club.
“It’s been great learning off the other midfielders,” she said.
Alongside the learning environment, Morgan has enjoyed becoming part of the playing group. “It’s good to not just be running, getting around a good group of girls,” Morgan added.
Regular opportunities with the VFLW side have also been an important part of her development.
Morgan said it has been good to get some “solid minutes” with the VFLW team as she continued building her game.
The Cats first-year players have quickly settled into life at the club, with Morgan highlighting the support of both her fellow draftees and experienced teammates.
“Jas (Stewart) is great, she’s very experienced,” Morgan said.
Morgan said there was so much to learn from Stewart’s experience, while also enjoying going through the journey alongside fellow draftee Evie Cowcher.
She also praised VFLW coach Mick Stinear as a “great coach” and said there was so much to learn from him as she continued her transition into AFLW.
With her first AFLW campaign approaching, Morgan is continuing to build confidence, gain experience and make the most of every opportunity to develop her game.
