Ex-Crows AFLW midfielder Georgia Bevan uses disappointment of delisting to lead Sturt in SANFLW

Ex-Crows midfielder Georgia Bevan says being left off Adelaide’s AFLW list this season is motivating her to lead by example at Sturt. She is the SANFLW round seven Player of the Week.

Sturt co-captain Georgia Bevan is the round seven SANFLW Player of the Week after a strong performance against Woodville-West Torrens. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

Georgia Bevan was left feeling pretty flat after losing her contract with the Crows for the 2019 AFLW season.

Particularly because she had played in Adelaide’s 2017 premiership, was retained last year and trained with the team for part of pre-season.

But the 26-year-old midfielder refused to let disappointment get the better on her and instead focused on leading Sturt in the SANFLW.

Sturt SANFLW co-captain Georgia Bevan marks the ball while teammate Alysha Healy watches on. Picture: Peter Swan

“Getting delisted after the 2018 (AFLW) season and then not getting re-drafted last October was disappointing, more because I had worked really hard and it didn’t come to fruition,” Bevan, of Glengowrie, says.

“I had a minute of sadness and felt sorry for myself.

“Then I became quite motivated to work on my deficits and play well in the SANFLW to give myself the best opportunity to be re-drafted, whether that is by the Crows or another club.

“We’ve got such a young group (at Sturt) with the mean age being around 16 or 17.

“It’s great to be able to take the skills I learned from an elite environment and kind of lead my example for them.”

Georgia Bevan with Sturt co-captain Caitlyn Swanson and Double Blues coach Danijel Herbut Picture: Supplied

Bevan has averaged 16.3 disposals a game, 5.3 clearances and 5.7 tackles across six SANFLW games this season, having only missed the round six loss to West Adelaide.

She is the SANFLW round seven Player of the Week after a game-high 19 touches, five marks and seven clearances in Sturt’s 34-point home victory over the Eagles on Saturday.

Bevan says one-on-one work with Crows great Andrew McLeod during the off-season is behind her strong form.

“In those six months between being delisted and the draft I worked with Andrew McLeod quite a bit with my disposals and kicking in particular,” says Bevan, who works as a dietitian.

“I’ve just been trying to get as much feedback as possible form different coaches and finding out what I can do best for the team.”

Sturt has only won two of its seven matches so far this season but Bevan says the side is improving each week.

“I feel like we’ve made a lot of progress, especially in the last couple of games with a few adjustments to our game plan.”

Bevan is unsure if she will play with Adelaide Footy League division one team Morphettville Park once the SANFLW season is over, or if she will line up with the NT Thunder in the VFLW.

ROUND EIGHT

Saturday, April 13

■ Sturt v Norwood – Peter Motley Oval, 11am

■ Glenelg v South Adelaide – Glenelg Oval 3.45pm

■ Woodville-West Torrens v North Adelaide – Woodville Oval, 3.45pm

■ Central District v West Adelaide – Elizabeth Oval, 3.45pm