Blue and white has always run in the veins of the Clifford family, which was a major drawcard for Mia-Rae’s return to the club this year.
After playing seven AFLW matches for the Dees in 2017, the forward found herself on the outer and was delisted.
Influenced by her grandmother, Clifford decided to move to the Cats.
A decision that has paid off after she unveiled as an inaugural Geelong AFLW signing last week.
Speaking to K rock Football Clifford said, “I was looking at going to Richmond because I live over that way.”
“‘Hoody’ (coach Paul Hood) called me and asked if I’d like to come down. AFL wasn’t on my mind. It was just the club, I actually barrack for Geelong and have my whole life.”
“My Nana is my world, and she barracks for Geelong and is the reason I do.
“I just thought, ‘You know what? This would really tip off my career just to finish off playing for the Cats’. That’s the main reason why I went to Geelong.”
After being told her AFLW dream was over and she was too old for a second chance, she has defied the odds.
Re-inventing herself from a defender into a lethal goal-scoring threat, currently sitting equal sixth in the VFLW with 14 goals from 14 matches.
“Other clubs told me that I was too old to be drafted. I was like ‘you know what? I believe I’m not done’. So, I put my head down and bum up and worked really hard.
“I wanted to fight, and if it happened it happened and if it didn’t then it didn’t. I was going to be happy either way.”
“Hoody saw something in me that I guess no one else did and I’m very grateful for that.”
Clifford is set to play a crucial role in attack when Geelong’s VFLW team line up against NT Thunder in a knock out semi final on Sunday.
The match will be held at Stannards Stadium (North Port Oval) from 11.45am.
Secure your seat by purchasing a ticket online at vfl.com.au/presale
