Watching Melissa Bragg soar across the backline to take yet another intercept mark, it is impossible to tell the 28-year-old is in just her second year of playing football.

Having played for Collingwood Magpies in Super Netball for four seasons, Bragg decided the time was right for her to give footy a go last year, joining Geelong’s VFLW team.

Playing predominantly in defence, but switching into the ruck or up forward as required – including an impressive four-goal haul against Port Melbourne in Round 3 last year – Bragg looked at home with the Sherrin in hand.

So impressive was her first season, she earned a place on Geelong’s AFLW list as an inactive player replacement, and showed enough in her first AFLW season to earn a spot on the Cats’ primary list for Season 8.

Now a month into the 2023 VFLW season, Bragg looks like someone who has been playing for years.

“It’s feeling really interesting. I think I’m still finding my feet, but I’m definitely starting to feel a bit more comfortable out there,” she said.

“(I am) starting to understand the structures of football and stuff, rather than just hoping for the best, but I definitely think I’m starting to find my feet and understand what my role is in the team as well.

“I think last year I was just so excited and happy to be there, and to learn and milk the information out of everybody and keep learning about the game.

“But I think this year, (I’ll be) continuing to do that, but there is also maybe that little bit of extra pressure: you’re not just a replacement player, you are on the list.”

Bragg has been a key figure in a miserly defence that has conceded just one goal across the past fortnight, and only seven goals for the season to date.

The 177cm-tall key position player has been among the Cats’ best most weeks, with her intercepting, spoiling, ability to read the play and pressure key features of her game.

Bragg made two AFLW appearances last season as she continued to learn her trade, and said while she is eager for more senior appearances, she is enjoying the opportunity to continue to learn from experienced players and coaches in the program.

While several AFLW-listed players will rotate through the line-up before getting deep into their own pre-season, Bragg has played every VFLW game so far in 2023 as she looks to keep adding to her experience.

Although Bragg is unsure how many games she will play over the course of the season – she will be guided by the coaches from both the AFLW and VFLW programs – she is keen to make the most of her opportunity while she’s out there.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure (how many games I’ll play), I’m just enjoying playing at the moment,” she said.

“I’d be up to probably (career) game 16 or so, so any game for me at the moment is really beneficial. Being able to keep building on what I’ve been learning is great, but then training is also a fantastic space to keep working on my skills and those kinds of things as well. So, I’ll just do what they (the coaches) tell me to do.”

One of those coaches is Elise Coventry, who is in her first season as Geelong VFLW senior coach. But Bragg is very familiar with ‘Flynny’, who played alongside her last year in the VFLW, and has been her back line coach at both AFLW and VFLW level.

“I keep telling her, getting in her ear saying that her and ‘Teaguey’ (Anna Teague) should be back playing, make a comeback team,” Bragg said with a laugh.

“But I think it’s great – having Flynny as a defence coach last year, and now Teaguey this year, I love the defensive side of the game, and to have two great players who are now coaching to teach us those skills is fantastic. But definitely having that relationship with Flynny from last year and just knowing how much faith she has in everyone definitely helps.”

Despite significant player movement from last season – and fielding such a young team – Geelong finds itself second on the VFLW ladder after three consecutive wins.

Bragg puts the early-season success down to great leadership and the buy-in from the playing group.

“I think Flynny has been really consistent in the message on what our method and what our plan of attack is and the structure,” she said.

“(Against Darebin, for example) we really executed that, and we were able to show that when we actually stick to the structure we get really good reward for that as well. As we continue to get challenged, it’s going to be great to see how that holds up.

“The girls are great, I think everybody is really invested in what is happening at the moment, and there is a combination of existing players, new players and the players from AFLW as well coming back. So to have a nice little mix, but everybody being on the same page and then to get that reward for effort (in recent weeks) was great.”

The Cats host the Western Bulldogs this Saturday at Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct.

First bounce is at 12pm. Entry is free. All VFLW games in 2023 will also be streamed live and exclusive on the AFL and AFLW Apps and website.