Recruit sets new goals for next step in career
JORDAN Ivey will have to update the background on her phone after signing with Geelong for next year’s AFLW season.
The former Carlton forward receives daily reminders about the time she kicked her first goal in the big time, in front of 1200 people against Fremantle at Domain Stadium in Round 6 last year.
It is a time she will never forget, but the 25-year-old says she is ready to create new highlights at the Cats.
“I still have that first goal photo as my phone screen background and I have some great memories from those few weeks really, but I’m excited to start from the beginning here and experience a full pre-season and the lead up,” Ivey said.
“I just want to get out there and play good footy and not get distracted.
“It’s exciting and I hope the younger girls see there is a pathway to footy and it brings everyone else in to give it a go and try their best.”
A year went by last Saturday since she tore her ACL playing in Geelong’s VFLW team.
It denied her the chance to return to the AFL this season, but when the Cats declared they would be pushing for an AFLW licence, Ivey knew she wanted to be part of it.
“I think even before that, just being around the club and having such a friendly environment — you walk past and see Joel (Selwood) and he’s the first one to speak to you — the people we have working at the club make you want to be here and I think you can see something special happening,” she said.
“It’s building momentum; 2019 will be our first year but I think we’ll be strong for the years. There’s method behind this and something that I wanted to be a part of.”
Ivey said it was important she revealed the good news to her parents as she nears a return to the field. “I hope they’re proud of all the hard work I’ve put in to get to this stage and that my rehab is going well enough to get signed,” she said.
“I was just excited to tell them, I think. It’s fantastic to be signed with the five other local girls here. It’s been a great journey for us.
“Having Renee (Garing) come in from a netball background and see her out there, she’s probably one of our best players, getting 30 posses- sions and probably 30 tackles as well each game, I can’t wait to get out there and play with all of them.”
Ivey said she hoped to return playing with Geelong VFLW in early July.