PROUDLY BACK IN THE HOOPS
FORMER Melbourne star Richelle Cranston says being among the first signings for Geelong’s maiden AFLW squad was one of the driving factors in her decision to join the club.
The signing of Cranston, 28, is a coup for the club, who also landed Mel Hickey, Erin Hoare and Anna Teague from the Demons.
The powerfully built midfielder was one of the most improved players in the league last season, finishing seventh in Melbourne’s best-andfairest count, improving from 17th the previous year.
Cranston was one of the first players approached by inaugural AFLW coach Paul Hood to join the club’s playing squad.
“I take confidence in that, and hopefully my confidence can grow and help me be a better footballer,” Cranston said.
“The belief Geelong have in me and Hoody has instilled in myself has been huge. So I’m really thankful for that.”
Cranston’s decision to switch clubs was tinged with bittersweet emotions as she had developed strong relationships at Melbourne. But she was excited by the prospect of returning to the club she played VFLW with last season.
“I’m definitely going to miss Melbourne. (It’s) really disappointing to be leaving the Melbourne girls,” she said. “I had a great two years with them and the staff were unbelievable, and I was really lucky to be a part of it.
“I’ve spent a lot of time here with VFL and everyone’s made such a huge effort to make me feel at home and I feel really loved here. I felt really loved at Melbourne as well.
“But, it is a sense of I do feel like I’m home here. I live three minutes away, it’s very easy, so it’ll be nice not to travel.”
Although the potential to move to the Cats was a long time coming, the decision was still a difficult one, which required Cranston turning to those closest to her to resolve.
“I guess it’s sort of been in the back of my mind since Geelong got a licence that it would be a decision I would have to make. It was extremely hard,” Cranston said.
“A few tears (were) shed. I spoke to a lot of people about it from Melbourne and from Geelong, and asked if they were in that situation what would they do? People were really honest. Even if they didn’t want me to leave, they told me what they would do, so it was really helpful.”
Cranston said the prospect of having one footballing allegiance was something that she was looking forward to.
“It’s so exciting, I get to be in the hoops all year round now,” she said.
“So it’s not that contrast of going back and forth between two clubs and confusing little kids when they ask you who you play for. Now I can just say I’m a Geelong player.”