Irish recruit Eilish O’Dowd’s confidence is growing by the minute as she prepares for her first hit-out against AFLW opposition on Saturday when the GIANTS host the Swans in a match simulation clash in Blacktown.

Hailing from the small town of Ballinamore in Ireland’s County Leitrim  - featuring a population of just over 900 people  - O’Dowd was signed by the GIANTS as a rookie at the end of last year after helping lead Dublin to the All-Ireland Gaelic Championship.

Focusing on familiarising herself as quickly as possible with a sport she had never tried until landing in Australia in January, O’Dowd says she’s now got a grasp on what Aussie Rules football is all about as she prepares to take on the Swans.

“I definitely feel a lot more confident and comfortable,” she said.

“I feel very fortunate that I’ve gotten the opportunity to take part in the VFLW and I think moving to Sydney earlier in the year rather than waiting for the Gaelic football season to end has given me the opportunity to develop the skills and learn the game a little bit better.

“I feel a lot more comfortable now and the VFLW has given me an idea of what a game is like, and I know the intensity will be a lot higher in an AFLW game, but it’s given me a taste of what it’s like.

“Even at training I’m feeling a lot more comfortable. I know at the start of the year in pre-season I would have stepped back and watched some of the drills to see an example of how it it’s done but now I feel comfortable and confident enough to take part in the drill straight away.”

O’Dowd, who has quickly become known at the club for her endurance and her speed, added that head coach Cam Bernasconi has been huge for her rapid development.

“Cam is so positive, and I respond really well to the way he coaches us,” she said.

“He’ll focus on the things I’m good at and he’ll highlight that but then he’ll give me one thing to work on which I respond really well to.

“We’ve been meeting once a week and touching base on any questions I have and I find that really helpful to touch base individually and help clear out a few things I might be confused about. Overall, he’s a fantastic coach and he is just so positive.”

O’Dowd is one of 26 GIANTS taking the field against the Swans in Blacktown on Saturday, with the Irishwoman keen to take the next step in her development as she continues to strive towards an AFLW debut. 

“I’m really excited for the practice games as it will be a good test to see the difference in training compared to an actual AFLW game and to see how I can cope under the pressure,” she said.

“I suppose ultimately playing in round one is the goal and you want to push for that debut, but I know for me it’sa bit different as I’m still learning the game.  

“Watching other Irish girls, it’s taken them years to pick up the game, so for me it’s just focusing on each session and getting better and trying to develop my fundamentals and get them right.”

As she prepares to take on the Swans, O’Dowd says she’s still pinching herself at her new life living in Sydney as a GIANT.

“It’s class,” she said.

“It’s such a different lifestyle over here and I’m really enjoying it. It’s such an amazing opportunity and I’m so grateful to be able to say that football is my job out here.

“It’s an unreal situation that I can go to football and do what we love doing and saying I’m going to work.”

The GIANTS will take on the Swans in Blacktown on Saturday afternoon before another practice match with the Kangaroos the following week ahead of an exciting round one clash with the Western Bulldogs in Canberra on Saturday, August 31. 

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