Twelve months ago Georgia Clarke was heading into her first AFLW season as an up-and-coming defender.
Fast forward a year and Clarke’s role has been turned on its head.
The 19-year-old has transformed herself into one of the Cats’ key forwards having made the move inside forward 50 during the recent VFLW season.
AFLW coach Paul Hood said the youngster’s attack on the ball gave him the idea to move her from defence to attack.
“With Clarkey, the way she attacked the ball in the air as a defender, she was always looking to join in the game and a couple of times she ended up forward and kicked some goals,” said Hood.
“I remember her first game of AFLW she kicked a goal from the back flank.
“She’s run some really nice patterns and proven to be really hard to defend so we’re happy to see her try and extend that in the AFLW season.”
The switch forward first took place during the club’s 2019 VFLW season.
In her 10 games Clarke kicked seven goals including a three-goal haul against Carlton in Round 16.
Current AFLW teammate Aasta O’Connor watched the development of Clarke through the winter.
“For me she’s the type of player that owns the moment, whether it’s in the backline or her transition up forward now,” said O’Connor.
“She really wants to take the game on and have the ball in her hands.
“That’s just going to continue to improve as she continues to mature.”
Clarke says playing up forward is something she is most excited about in the upcoming 2020 season.
“I’m just looking forward to playing that new role,” said Clarke.
“Even though I did play AFLW last season it will be different this year in that new role, so I’m looking forward to that aspect of it.”
