Former Supercat grows with Giants
CORTNEY Williamson was soaking up the sun in Bali when the call came through.
“Do you want to have a kick with the Geelong West Giants?” asked assistant Simon Cavallo.
At that point, football was the last thing on the mind of the former Lady Supercats skipper.
“I didn’t really think anything of it,” revealed Williamson, who is the league’s leading goalkicker three rounds into AFL Barwon’s maiden women’s league.
“I really didn’t think footy was for me, but there’s so many opportunities and I’ve always wanted to give it a go.
“But when I got back from Bali I thought I might go along and see how I enjoy training and everyone was so welcoming and I really enjoyed it.
“I ended up wanting to give it a really good go, so I made the change from basketball to football, which was big, but I haven’t regretted it.”
The Lady Supercats’ captain of three years and a seven-year SEABL player, Williamson put basketball on hold to line up with the Geelong West Giants in AFL Barwon’s new senior women’s football league.
The 25-year-old hasn’t looked back, kicking 14 majors in the first three grading games.
She kicked five goals on debut against St Joseph’s before bagging nine against Colac Imperials in the second round, playing onball in a stunning display.
Williamson said she considered tackling both sports headon in 2018, but quickly realised basketball would take a back seat.
“I thought it wasn’t manageable to play both,” she said.
“And I haven’t missed it yet, I’m enjoying football that much.”
A pacy playmaker on the court, Williamson said many of the skills derived on the basketball court had made for a smooth transition to football.
“Having that awareness of whose around you and who you can pass the ball to has really helped in footy,” she said.
“And also the agility involved in basketball, running in and out of contests, has converted over to football as well.”
Williamson hasn’t completely shut the door on her basketball career, but the focus is on football.
“Footy is my priority and I’ll see where that goes,” she said. “Basketball will always be there.”
While early in her career, Williamson admitted she harboured ambitions to play at the highest level.
“I want to give it a go,” she said.
“But for now I’m still learning a lot, but that’s absolutely my goal.”