At the start of 2019, while completing her HSC, Georgia Garnett was selected for the NAB AFL Women’s Academy. It was a turning point in her life with the sudden realisation that a future career in AFLW had the potential to become a reality. “That’s when I thought I should probably give it a crack and see where it goes” she laughs.
The academy granted Garnett exposure to the GIANTS training sessions, giving her a taste of what life as an elite athlete would look like.
It was also a far cry from the lunchtime footy she had been playing with the boys for the majority of her schooling life. Her PE teacher Brad Tudman “Tuddy”, whom she admits she nagged relentlessly, encouraged Garnett to trial for the academy after recognising her passion and tenacity.
At 18 years of age, laid-back Garnett is one of the youngest new recruits to the GIANTS and now an integral part of the newly formed ‘Kidz Club’: a support network for the younger players.
“We all get around each other and support each other,” she said. “As the younger ones it’s a cool little group going on there.”
The young group consisting of Alyce Parker, Tait Mackrill, Jess Allan, Erin Mckinnon, Haneen Zreika and Maggie Gorham have also completed their HSC in recent years, admitting that the intensity of juggling the drafting process and their HSC was no easy feat.
“I found it pretty hard,” Garnett said. “I know a lot of girls found it hard, but then I would come to the club, and I would forget about everything, and it would just remind me why I want to do it (play footy).”
It’s this support and the general atmosphere of the club that has drawn hopeful recruits in droves. “It’s a great vibe,” Garnett explains. “I remember as a 17-year-old walking in and every single player just came up and introduced themselves. The girls and the coach are amazing; it’s just a great environment.”
Garnett believes that having a strong support network is paramount in helping her navigate the opportunity that has now presented itself at the club, explaining that “it is extremely important”.
“Without them, there would be so many things you can’t get through," she said.
While counting her best friend of 10 years and her family of five – where she is the middle of three children (“I get pinned for everything” she confesses) – in that support network, it’s her mum Garnett counts as one of the more prominent and influential members of her support network. In part, because she is yet to get her licence despite being gifted a vintage car recently.
“I obviously spend a lot of time with mum because she has to drive me places, I learn to drive manual on the way home from training,” Garnett laughs.
While Garnett, also known by friends as “Mrs Worldwide” (a tribute to her favourite musician Latina Artist Pitbull) is known for her class clown antics – just look at her Instagram – she confesses that there is an off switch.
“I’m the one sitting in a meeting writing notes, as many as possible,” Garnett admits. Whether it’s a game or a drill, she will write it down, so she can remember it and then form a more thorough understanding. If it doesn’t stick, she will be the first to put her hand up to ask for help. “I will always ask one of the girls. I make sure that I always understand and that I am doing as much as I can.”
So, what does 2020 look for the young GIANT?
“I would love to play a game – even if it’s just one game,” she said. “I am only young, I get that, so I do understand if I don’t get the opportunity. But I want to learn as much as possible, take in everything I can and give it what I’ve got.”
And off-field? A licence for a start, so she can drive her new 1980 Beatle home from training and mum can stay at home.
