Swans players touch on juggling a second job with playing in the AFLW

On the same day she finished a 24-hour shift as a firefighter, Rebecca Privitelli kicked two goals to help push her Swans over the line. That’s just a day in the life of an AFLW player.

Swans forward Rebecca Privitelli is one of many players juggling full-time careers with playing footy. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Rebecca Privitelli is used to adrenaline coursing through her veins.

The 28-year-old Swans forward has become one of the most damaging forwards in the AFLW this season. She is equal second in the competition for marks inside 50 per game (2.4) and leads Sydney for goals this year (13).

But she had to draw on all her energy reserves during the Swans’ round nine victory against Collingwood.

At 7am that morning, she clocked off from a 24-hour shift as a firefighter for NSW Fire and Rescue.

With barely a wink of sleep to speak of, she took the field, kicked two remarkable goals and was pivotal in Sydney’s 19-point win.

“I definitely get stirred up [by teammates] more than anyone else in the team,” Privitelli said.

“It’s like when you’re really excited to play and you can’t stop thinking about the game. As soon as you wake up, you’ve screwed yourself over … that was me [the night before].

“So I had a little nap and went straight to the game.”

Privitelli celebrates one of two goals she kicked after her 24-hour shift as a Firefighter. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

While not many AFLW players could match the exhilarating nature of her career, Privitelli is far from alone in trying to balance footy with a life outside of it.

Two days a week she works a 24-hour shift for Fire & Rescue before heading home, downing a coffee and getting straight into it with her Sydney teammates.

“That’s the beauty of the job, and the scary part as well, that when the bells go off you’re straight to the call,” Privitelli said.

“I’ve been pretty lucky with how it’s blended together. I haven’t had too many clashes and the club’s supportive and understands that I’ve got both work and footy to balance.

“I make sure I get to the main training. Then they trust me to do sessions by myself or go into the club to do it with a coach if I need to.

“Having the Firies just gives me something outside of footy to put time into. I thrive off having balance in a life outside of football just as much as I do in it.”

THE FIGHT TO BECOME FOOTY STARS

No one is more determined in the Swans’ group to become the best footballer they can be than Alexia Hamilton.

The 23-year-old is at her third AFLW club after debuting for the Gold Coast Suns in 2020 and has played eight games this season for Sydney.

But throughout her footy career, she also has been studying full-time. Her extra-curricular work over the past four years has seen her complete both a Bachelor of Nursing and a Bachelor of Paramedicine.

Hamilton competes in the ruck during the Swans’ win over the Bulldogs. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

With the AFLW still on the path to full professionalism, Hamilton has no choice but to put those degrees to use and find a way to be both a registered nurse and a footy player.

“It was a struggle to find employment alongside playing AFLW which was frustrating,” Hamilton said. “I wanted to try and do dual careers, one in healthcare and one in professional sport.

“I eventually landed a role at Lifeblood with the Red Cross working as a registered nurse which is great.

“During pre-season, I was pretty much full-time. I was doing up to five days a week and then backing up in the afternoons for training. By the time I got everything done, I’d leave the club at around 10pm.

“That was pretty taxing, but I ended up making it work, without any social life, but it’s a lot of fun.”

For most players, they’ve known nothing different. They know that to pursue their footy career, they have to be working twice as hard just to sustain it.

Lexi Hamilton working for Lifeblood and taking a donation off Swans CEO Tom Harley. Picture: Sophie B Photography

While having jobs outside of the AFLW is a good way to achieve balance and set themselves up for life after sport, they’re hopeful that it’s not something future generations of women’s footy players will have to be concerned about.

“It’s important that girls have something outside of footy to do, whether it’s studying or planning for the future,” Privitelli said. “But I’d love to see it go full-time for those girls, I’d love for them to just focus on footy.

“That’s what I wanted when I was a kid. Unfortunately, I just didn’t get the opportunity to do that.”

“Football doesn’t last forever, so you’ve really got to prioritise your time and how you spend it,” Hamilton added.

“For young girls coming through the system now … they‘ll be able to fully commit to an industry and give their absolute everything. For me growing up, that wasn’t possible, so this concept of doing dual careers will be quite unique.”

The AFL has already made moves to ensure women’s players are better compensated. The new CBA has increased payments by almost 30 per cent, while the average salary will improve from $46,000 to $82,000 by 2027.

That will come too late for the likes of Privitelli who will well and truly be in the twilight of her career. But she wouldn’t have it any other way and will continue to make the most of every opportunity she gets to represent the Bloods.

“Footy has always been a really big part of my life,” she said.

“But I’m getting into the later stage of my career now, where I needed to find something else that I really love doing.

“I’m glad that it was the Fireys because I absolutely love doing both jobs.”

Originally published as Swans players touch on juggling a second job with playing in the AFLW