Becky Webster's second season as an AFL player didn't exactly go to plan last year — as the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly cut short the 2020 AFL Women's season midway through finals and its ensuring VFLW season was also canned.
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Granted, the 20-year-old and her Geelong teammates were already out of AFLW premiership contention ahead of the cancellation, but the season’s unfinished nature — including a reduced home and away season — still rippled across the league.
It was particularly felt by Webster, who missed half her debut season with injury, although she was quickly able to reconcile with the outcome.
“It did suck not having that season finish,” Webster said.
“But there were bigger things going on.
“Once you step back and realise it isn’t as big as this (COVID-19) and that 2020 really influenced a lot of people, not finishing the season, in hindsight, was okay.”
Bunkering down in her home town of Benalla through the worst of the pandemic — at a time she would usually spend playing in Geelong’s VFLW side — Webster found herself able to recover and refocus ahead of another season at the highest level.
“I think 2020 did give players time to focus on recovery, having that VFLW season off,” she said.
“A lot of people have come into the pre-season rested, without as many injury niggles or worries.
“And for the younger ones, coming from junior football, they haven’t stopped much, so it has had a lot of benefits both mentally and physically.
“I was lucky enough to be in regional Victoria and not being fully locked down — I could still go to the gym, be outside for an hour, recoup for the year and train by myself.”
Reporting back to Geelong for pre-season training at the beginning of November, Webster said her teammates had returned “fit and ready” for the season ahead.
“We are very excited to get back — it’s crazy to think it’s just been under 12 months since we last played,” she said.
“(Round one) is a long time coming after the year that’s been.
“The girls have worked hard over the break, so pre-season has been great; everyone’s been connecting again and the draftees have slotted in nicely.”
And it seems the Cats have quickly made a name for themselves as the number one destination for Murray Bushrangers recruits, with pick 21 in the 2020 draft, Olivia Barber, joining former Bushrangers in Webster and Millie Brown at the club.
“It’s great to have a few familiar faces from back home — I’m living with Millie here, and Liv is just around the corner from us,” Webster said.
“Having Liv here now — she’s fitted in well to start pre-season and she’s shown in the main sessions she can be that key forward we drafted her as. She’ll be one to look out for.”
Earlier this month, Webster finally got her first real taste of football again, lining up in Geelong’s pre-season hit-out with Melbourne.
Though the Cats got off to a flying start, kicking four first quarter goals, it was ultimately the Demons who celebrated with a 21-point victory.
Webster, who was among Geelong’s best according to coach Paul Hood, said it had been crucial to get a full team hit-out in the bank ahead of round one.
“There were a lot of things identified what we need to work on,” she said.
“Practice matches are good to see what you can improve on and implement with the coaches.
“And quite a lot of good things came out of it; in previous years scoring has been an issue, but that first quarter we showed how we want to play and get the ball forward, lock it in the forward half and kick goals.
“Then in a few of the other quarters, we saw what Melbourne did well, which we can replicate.”
As for Webster’s individual game this year, she will continue her transition into the midfield, a role she begun building upon in the 2019 VFLW and 2020 AFLW seasons after starting her career at half-back.
“Dan (Lowther), our midfield coach has taught me a lot this pre-season, so hopefully I can implement those lessons this season and continue to learn,” Webster said.
“I’ll work on my transition and running capacity which should help with my body positioning around the contest.
“I want to be winning the ball and driving it forward.
“Hopefully I can put in more minutes and impact for the team as best as I can.”
The women's league as a whole has continued to make significant strides this past off-season — with ticketed games set to be introduced this season, while the conference system of the past two years has been scrapped for the return of a full 14-team ladder.
Webster said although she and her teammates had not spoken directly as a club about the changes, their impact was certainly being felt across the league.
“It’s something that is great to see, that the game itself is growing and there is recognition there,” she said.
“It shows the growth in the game if you’re willing to put in.
“And non-conferences are always a big tick — there are no excuses as to where you finish, so it’s a true reflection of the best teams.”
Coming into Geelong's round-one clash against North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Webster remains confident in the Cats’ processes and preparation ahead of the season opener.
“We had our main training last week, so this week we go into game mode; so how we want to hone in for the match and what our best set-up will be for North Melbourne,” she said.
“North Melbourne has got some strong players, but Hoody (Paul Hood) will be all over that and who does what.
“Really we just need to focus round to round and on getting the win.”
Sports journalist