New Lion ready to be unleashed for debut
LIONS AFLW debutant Cathy Svarc is not scared of entering unknown territory.
The 28-year-old originally hails from Albury-Wodonga but moved from Geelong to Brisbane two years ago for a “bit of a seachange”.
She had played competitive netball in Victoria but decided to give Australian football a crack with Brisbane’s Wilston Grange Gorillas as a way to meet people and make new friends.
Fast forward two seasons and the halfback flanker will make her AFLW debut for
Brisbane today when the Lions host Adelaide at Wilston Grange’s Hickey Park.
Svarc was taken by Brisbane with pick No.16 in last year’s draft and has impressed the Lions’ coaching staff with her aerobic capacity, athleticism and contested ball work.
She joins Maria Moloney, Greta Bodey, Dakota Davidson, Lily Postlethwaite, Belle Dawes and Irish recruit Orla O’Dwyer as Brisbane’s AFLW first-gamers today.
Brisbane star Jessica Wuetschner has also been named after overcoming being hit by lightning at her workplace last month.
Svarc said her footy journey had been a whirlwind and the best advice she had received ahead of her debut was to back herself.
“When I started, I loved it straightaway, turning up at Wilston Grange two years ago,’’ she said.
“The coaches were super supportive straightaway.
“It’s gone from strength to strength quite quickly but it’s been a great ride, so I’m pretty excited to be where I am in such a short space of time.
“It’s really exciting. I’m a long way from my family so it is nice to have a lot of support and be in a familiar environment, kicking off my debut.
“I’ve been pushing myself as hard as I can (in the Lions’ preseason). It’s been nice to challenge myself but at a much higher level.’’
Svarc said playing alongside Gorillas clubmate, 2018 AFLW All Australian and 2018 Lions club champion Kate Lutkins in defence would make the transition to a higher level that little bit easier.
“Playing alongside Luts has been amazing,’’ she said.
“To learn off her and see how she plays the game, that’s a big inspiration for me.’’