Geelong vice-captain Nina Morrison is keen to improve her forward craft in 2023

An off-season trip to Nepal has provided an important “mental refresh” for an emerging Geelong leader as she reveals the daily challenges of self-reflection.

Geelong AFLW players Nina Morrison and Julia Crockett-Grills in Nepal. Picture: Nina Morrison.

An off-season trip to Nepal for a “mental refresh”, and an extended pre-season, has Geelong AFLW vice-captain Nina Morrison confident she can be a more potent weapon in season eight of the fledgling competition.

Geelong approach the season’s likely kick off in early September after losing last year’s elimination final to North Melbourne by two points, kicking 1.8.

It’s why the 22-year-old midfielder, the club’s first ever draft pick in 2018, is looking to improve her forward craft after a gradual shift towards the goals last season, notably disposal efficiency and score involvements.

Geelong AFLW players Nina Morrison and Julia Crockett-Grills in Nepal. Picture: Nina Morrison.

“The big one for me is my efficiency,” Morrison said, who played 19 of a possible 21 games across seasons seven and six following dual ACL injuries.

“Score involvements will be a big goal (too).

“I’m really excited about where I’m at and where the group’s at and what we can achieve in season eight.”

Morrison believes she’s coming off her best pre-season yet.

An outdoorsy person, she completed a nine-day trek in Nepal during the break: “It was a real mental refresh.”

Nina Morrison, Jacqueline Parry and Georgie Prespakis after a win against Sydney at GMHBA Stadium in October, 2022. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

And with St Mary’s product Erin Hoare returning to the club via the supplementary draft after taking time off to complete her studies – she now boasts a PhD in public health – Morrison said Geelong was ahead of the curve in allowing players to step back a touch when required.

“It’s such an important direction for women’s sport to take,” she said.

You could argue Hoare and Morrison, who came third in the club’s best and fairest last season, are kindred spirits, with Morrison also studying exercise and sports science at Deakin University and valuing further education as much as improved goal sense.

“It’s awesome to have Erin back in the group,” she said.

Nina Morrison at the Cats’ best and fairest count in December, 2022. Picture: Mark Wilson

“She has a very intelligent mind and a critical thinker as well.

“We’re probably pretty similar in that sense.

“It’s always a balance between identifying areas that you need to get better at ... and at the right time filling yourself with confidence.

“(I’m) going through that cycle constantly.”

Morrison looks for an option against the Swans in round 10 last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Recovering from two ACL injuries – her first at training during her debut 2019 season and then at the end of the 2020 campaign – also strengthened Morrison’s mental muscles.

“It was a really challenging period,” she said.

“But I’m a couple of seasons past it now, I feel like my body is in a really good spot.

“It helped to really shape where I am. I’m pumped for the season to start.

“Everything’s tracking pretty nicely ... the body’s good, it’s been smooth sailing so far this pre-season.”

Raised in Williamstown, Morrison first got involved in footy by trialling with Geelong’s VFL team on her father’s encouragement, towards the end of her days at Geelong Grammar.

A “late starter”, Morrison went through the Falcons program before being picked up in the 2018 draft.

Originally published as Geelong vice-captain Nina Morrison is keen to improve her forward craft in 2023