Western Bulldogs police recruits get their tackling right on and off the field

WHEN police officer Courtney Clarkson found herself legging it to catch a crook this week, she was thankful for the gruelling pre-season she’d just completed at the Western Bulldogs.

WHEN police officer Courtney Clarkson found herself legging it to catch a crook this week, she was thankful for the gruelling pre-season she’d just completed at the Western Bulldogs.

By day, and sometimes night, Clarkson and her Bulldogs teammate Laura Bailey are in the front line of policing.

But for the next seven weeks — and hopefully an eighth, the grand final — they’re also AFLW footballers.

Bailey, 24, will play down back for the fancied Bulldogs in their season-opener against Fremantle at Whitten Oval tonight while Clarkson, 25, has been named an emergency.

Clarkson said fitness improvements since being drafted were helping her on and off the field.

“Running around here three nights a week definitely helps chasing those offenders that run off on us,” Clarkson said with a laugh

Western Bulldogs police women players Laura Bailey and Courtney Clarkson Picture:Wayne Ludbey

“They normally stop for us, but when they do (run) it’s good to have the fitness behind you.”

Bailey has been playing football for three years at local level. Clarkson played as a junior before taking a break and returning to the game in recent years.

Both players are fulltime in the force but they haven’t missed a beat on the track with Victoria Police offering flexible working times to accommodate their training and match commitments.

“Work’s been really good around shift times,” Clarkson said.

“(My colleagues) they love it. Every time you walk in they ask when are you playing, what’s happening. They want to know the ins and outs.”

Bailey said every member of her station who wasn’t rostered on to work had turned out for the Bulldogs’ practice match against Collingwood last week.

“The support we’ve got from everyone has been amazing,” Bailey said.

“A lot of them have never watched women’s footy before but they absolutely loved it.”

The dual roles — both team-oriented but with very different uniforms — have suited the pair to a tee.

“When I walk into the Whitten Oval, I completely switch off from work” Bailey said.

“We just focus on the footy — it’s probably the best balance we can get.

“Every day we’ve got training on, I just get really excited. It’s kind of good to have a bit of a release and not talk about policing. It’s refreshing coming to the club.”