Brand new challenge
New view for Garing
HAWTHORN v GEELONG GRAND FINAL: Tomorrow, 12.30pm, Etihad Stadium Inter: M. Cann, S. Carroll, R. Dillon, E. Gilder. Emg: C. Dyett, K. Henderson, S. Kendall, E. Mcilvena. 23P: E. Woods Inter: M. Fedele, H. Mangan, C. Stevens, H. Trevean. Emg: I. Currenti, M. Klingbeil, L. Taylor, K. Woodroffe. 23P: O. Purcell INJURED midfield star Renee Garing says she’s developed a different perspective of football since joining VFLW coach Paul Hood in the coaches’ box.
The former GFL netballer — a three-time league medallist — had a stunning debut season for the Cats in 2017 and resumed in even better fashion this year, before succumbing to a sacral stress fracture.
“When I got injured I just told the coaches I’d love to do something on game day just to contribute and keep learning,” Garing said.
“Hood just asked if I was comfortable doing some clearance stats.
“Hoody sat down with me and explained how to do it and what to look at, so who gets the first touch and the clearance numbers. I basically sit in there and every five or so minutes share what we’re at in the stop- pages and clearances.
“It’s been a really good experience for me watching the game. Obviously I’ve watched footy in a different light since I’ve been playing than what I’ve ever watched before, but from the coaches’ box, hearing the way they talk about our setups and what we’re trying to do within the game is very different to being on the ground.
“It’s been a really good learning experience.”
Garing, who is on target to be ready for an AFLW pre-season, said she was looking forward to seeing her teammates perform on the biggest of VFLW stages.
“I’m really excited for the girls,” she said.
“It is a different thing not being able to be on the ground, but I’d rather our team be in a grand final and me be on the sidelines helping in another role than us not be in it.
“It’s all so very exciting and I feel like I’m contributing in a different way.”