AFLW 2024: Geelong’s Caitlin Thorne on her ‘picture perfect’ debut and learning from fellow midfielders Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis

Geelong’s Caitlin Thorne has lost no admirers two games into a budding AFLW career. She reveals what it was like to debut in her hometown and how’s she’s adapted to the pace and style of the league.

Geelong’s Nina Morrison embraces Caitlin Thorne after their win on the Gold Coast. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong’s Caitlin Thorne may only be two games into her AFLW career but a rising confidence to compete at the top level is coming with each performance.

A “picture perfect” AFLW debut in her hometown Gold Coast in round 4 started the midfield-winger’s career on a winning note, Thorne playing her part in the crushing 69-point win over the Suns — a club she was previously involved with through its academy.

“I had all my friends and family, everyone from school (there)... it was just so great,” Thorne recalled.

It was a week to celebrate, her debut coming just days after she was named on the wing in the 2024 VFLW team of the year for her season at Box Hill Hawks.

“I was pretty stoked to make it, it just capped off a good week I guess,” she said.

Geelong’s Caitlin Thorne celebrates victory on debut in round 4 against the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

After joining Geelong as a replacement player in June, the 21-year-old’s first game reaped seven disposals, two clearances, two marks, two tackles and an inside 50 entry, and although omitted the next week against Box Hill’s affiliate Hawthorn in favour of a returning Georgie Prespakis, she would quickly find herself back in the team against Fremantle on Tuesday night.

She enjoyed stronger numbers across several markers, with 10 touches at 80 per cent efficiency, three marks, three tackles and three intercepts.

“I think it was great to have that first game under my belt, gave me a bit of confidence coming into this one,” she said after the loss to the Dockers.

Geelong senior coach Dan Lowther praised Thorne post-match for playing her role after joining the program with limited exposure to the AFLW.

“Just like she did against the Gold Coast, she played her role really well and she’s going to learn the consistency piece around what it's like with this type of pressure,” Lowther said.

Geelong’s Caitlin Thorne tries to stop Fremantle’s Gabby O’Sullivan in her tracks. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Working hard on her inside midfield craft, Thorne knows she has the likes of Nina Morrison and Prespakis, and until recently the injured Amy McDonald, to trust and look to on field as she gets used to the pace and style of the AFLW competition.

“I had leadership from Nina (Morrison) and Pres (Georgie Prespakis) obviously, with AMac (Amy McDonald) gone, they really help me through it and they always help me with where I need to be, still educating me on the spot but just trying to bring my assets and help out where I can,” she said.

“(It’s) so, so different (to VFLW), much cleaner skills, very kick, mark, handball, kick, mark, handball whereas VFLW is a bit scrappy and (you’re) trying to do everything all the time.

“It’s (Geelong) very team-orientated, I think we pride ourselves on being a team... it really brings everyone into the game.”

While Geelong’s loss to Fremantle has all but killed the Cats’ finals aspirations, Thorne said the message from the team’s leaders was to keep pushing for wins, starting with Sydney on Sunday.

“Just keep looking forward, just got to keep working on what we’re good at, we know we’re a good side so just keep playing our brand of footy and it will come,” she said.

Originally published as AFLW 2024: Geelong’s Caitlin Thorne on her ‘picture perfect’ debut and learning from fellow midfielders Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis