Bec is back as skipper
KEY defender Bec Goring has been reinstalled as captain of Geelong’s VFLW team.
Goring headlines a sevenwoman leadership group, with midfield gun Renee Garing named vice-captain.
Hayley Trevean, Anna Teague, Kate Darby, Mia-Rae Clifford and Melbourne AFLW gun Richelle Cranston round out the group.
Goring was the inaugural VFLW captain in 2017, played all 14 games, and was a significant contributor to Geelong’s presentation to the AFL to secure an AFLW licence for next season.
She said while the Cats were looking forward to the introduction of an AFLW team at GMHBA Stadium, they were keen to build on the success of their first year in the VFLW.
“It is an honour to lead this team and to work with such an exceptional group,” Goring said.
“We have a number of new players that are learning what it is to be a Geelong player, and we think they have fitted in well to our program.
“While there is a lot of excitement around the club’s entry to the 2019 AFLW competition, our focus now is on the VFLW season ahead.
“We know the competition is tougher and we will need to keep improving to challenge for a higher finish.”
Garing made the conversion from netball to football last season after a stellar local playing and coaching career and finished fourth in Geelong’s best-and-fairest count.
Her ascension speaks volumes of the esteem in which she is held at Geelong, with VFLW coach Paul Hood saying he was delighted to have so many natural leaders under his watch.
“We have a number of strong leaders who are all about the team and team success,” Hood said.
“Now we are in our second season we will look to build upon the strides we made last year and this group has been recognised by the players and club staff as the group to serve as our leaders.”
The Cats will open their VFLW season against Melbourne University at GMHBA Stadium tomorrow at 12.30pm.