RETIRED Adelaide premiership ruck Jess Foley has found a new home at Geelong.
Taking on a role that is surely the first of its kind – ruck coach and assistant team doctor – the former Crow has added a lot to the Cats in a short space of time.
The 37-year-old retired at the end of the 2020 season, having played 13 games over two seasons while juggling her career as a doctor, and got in contact with the Cats after moving to Geelong.
A dangerous ruck due to the combination of her tap work and mobility around the field, Foley also played basketball in the WNBL and in the US college system.
At training on Tuesday night, she worked closely with young developing ruck Rene Caris, before providing defensive pressure for veteran key forward Phoebe McWilliams, as she worked on her leading and overhead marking.
"Not sure if you've seen our coaching staff – and it's great we've got Aaron Black back (as forwards coach) – but the rest of us aren't that tall," Geelong senior coach Paul Hood said.
"Jess' ability to work on ruck and key position craft is fantastic, we've got some young talls for her to mentor in Rene Caris and Olivia Barber. Jess and Aasta (O'Connor, Cats ruck) played against each other and are able to share a few tips.
"We're unbelievably fortunate Jess has fallen into our team, and it's great to have her down here. Already she's shown she's really confident in sharing her knowledge.
"Her AFLW career was a fantastic achievement. What she brings from her prolonged basketball experience, living overseas and competing at the highest level in Australia, she has so many sporting and life experiences that she can use to be a great mentor to our players."
