This time next week, the GIANTS AFL Women’s squad will be back at the WestConnex Centre for their first training session of the pre-season.
As is customary, the preparation for the 2019 NAB AFLW season will begin with a gruelling 2km time-trial.
“Oh gosh!” Rebecca Beeson exclaimed upon being reminded of the fact.
“I did my practice this morning and it wasn’t the most amazing feeling - let’s say I’m keen to get it out of the way and get stuck into actual training with footballs.”
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The 21-year-old, who is heading into her third season with the GIANTS, will be more than ready for the run, having barely had a day off the training track since the GIANTS’ 2018 campaign came to an end with a defeat to Brisbane in March.
Beeson spent the winter months in the VFL Women’s competition, plying her trade with Hawthorn.
“I made the decision late last year while I was here at the GIANTS to try something different, not just for footy but a bit of a life experience kind of thing and it ended up being exactly what I was after,” she said.
“In terms of having a new job, a new university and new mates, and obviously footy went really well as well. It helps when footy goes smoothly.”
Saying footy went smoothly for the GIANT is an understatement.
Beeson – who has spent the majority of her 14 AFLW games for the GIANTS along the half-forward flank – was named on the wing in the VFLW team of the year as Hawthorn claimed its maiden premiership.
“The first few games I started on the half-forward line and found myself in the midfield for a few minutes,” she said.
“As the season progressed it kind of went 50-50 and as the season came to an end, I was practically playing full time in the midfield, which was an amazing experience and something that I was really grateful for.”
The three-time Sydney AFL premiership player was outstanding in the Hawks’ 13-point Grand Final win over Geelong, collecting a game-high 24 disposals whilst playing alongside GIANTS defender Pepa Randall.
“It was amazing, it was actually incredible,” she said.
“The team was a motley crew of girls coming from different areas and different teams kind of like the GIANTS I guess.
“They gelled together amazingly and unexpectedly, and there was a really good feeling amongst the playing team of, ‘If we can play really good footy, we can make the finals’.”
Although the premiership was a highlight for Beeson, the experience she gained along the way excites her.
She wants to use her learnings to continue to improve, not just for her own satisfaction but for the betterment of the GIANTS as they strive for their first finals appearance.
“I’ve not yet played in a final for the GIANTS but playing those finals with the Hawks and going all the way through is invaluable and I can really draw upon that and use it this season,” Beeson said.
“I’m really glad I went down there and I feel like I’ve come back a better player and maybe you can say a better person – but I feel more experienced and my football knowledge has improved.
“I’m really excited for what I can do this season and see how far I can improve this season.”
Beeson’s looking forward to helping the GIANTS go further in 2019, having improved greatly in 2018.
“I guess I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on it now,” she said.
“From a club perspective, I felt like we’ve made great strides towards where we’d like to end up.
“I think having Alan McConnell on board made a massive difference to our belief as a team and our style of game play.
“Having him and some strong leaders like Fridge (Amanda Farrugia) and Alicia (Eva) around and some great recruits as well have really helped us.
“It was a massive change from the first year where we won one game and I feel like we’ve got a really strong squad coming into this season and I feel confident that we can pull out some wins and go two steps further.”
