AFLW 2020: GWS Giant Nicola Barr’s high hopes for season four
So how does a woman who grew up overseas not knowing a thing about AFL end up in her fourth season of the elite game and with lofty goals.
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It’s a miracle Nicola Barr ever picked up an AFL ball let alone is now preparing for her fourth season of the elite women’s competition.
Born in Melbourne to English parents and raised in a multitude of counties, including Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland and Dubai, Barr played every sport but AFL growing up.
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“I was always a runner, played some basketball, but I am shocking at it, played some soccer,” said Barr, who lives at Mosman.
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“It wasn’t until I was 17 that I had a go at AFL.
“I just gave it a go and just loved it. I got lucky with my timing as AFLW was just taking off.”
Now six years in Barr is preparing for her fourth season of AFLW with Sydney’s only side in the expanding women’s competition.
And the pilates instructor, who is also studying functional anatomy after completing a bachelor of medical science, has high hopes for a breakout season for the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
“The pre-season seems to have flown by,’’ she said.
“The team is looking really good. Things are really starting to ramp up. There’s a really nice vibe about.
“To make it to the grand final is of course the goal. We don’t have any doubt in my mind that we can get there.”
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Barr made a mark from the start of her career as the first-ever No. 1 draft pick in the AFL Women’s league back in 2017.
Last year she was in the headlined when she became the first player in AFL Women’s history to be sent directly to the AFL Tribunal after a bump on North Melbourne’s Ashleigh Russell earned her a game suspension.
“My tribunal appearance is something I don’t ever want to happen again,” she said.
The GWS Giants’ first match of the season is against the Gold Coast Suns this Saturday at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The Giants second round game of the AFLW is against North Melbourne in Tasmania with their next home game against the West Coast Eagles on February 23 at 1.10pm at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Originally published as AFLW 2020: GWS Giant Nicola Barr’s high hopes for season four