Geelong forward Chantal Mason on her breakout game, first year injury setbacks, and playing on GMHBA Stadium
Geelong’s Chantal Mason kicked 0.7 in her first five AFLW games. But it was only a matter of time before the young gun put it all together for a breakout performance in front of goal.
There were times Chantal Mason ideally would have liked a re-do in front of goals this season.
The young key forward entered Saturday's AFLW clash against GWS Giants – her sixth career game – with 0.7 to her name, including an ‘almost’ 0.4 day against Sydney some six weeks earlier.
But a breakout performance was only ever a matter time if you asked head coach Dan Lowther, Mason slotting her first career goal in the third term against the Giants, before nailing another two in the final quarter to help the Cats across the line by 27-points.
For Mason, both relief and an shot of confidence was evident after her eye-catching three-goal performance.
“I’ve had a couple of chances here and there, which I probably would have liked to have my moments back,” Mason said post-match.
“But to finally get that first one and then get a couple on the end of that and just have an impact on the game is something I’ve been wanting to do, just get that confidence going forward … really happy.”
Before Saturday, the 20-year-old’s most promising game was against the Swans with a career-high 13 touches, though the 0.4 return in front of goal left a bitter taste.
“I think a big thing for me was composure, ball in hand, you adapt to a whole new game, it’s so much quicker,” Mason recalled.
“I was pretty nervous and probably could have had better ball use at the time, so I think last week (against Carlton) I had a few better moments with ball in hand and I think it’s just a thing of building that each week, you just get used to it, more calmness, more confidence and make better decisions.”
“0-4, probably some of the shots shouldn’t have been shots in itself.”
The Cats’ first selection in the 2023 draft at pick 18, Mason arrived at Kardinia Park off an impressive top-age year at Geelong Falcons, where she kicked 34 goals across 15 games.
Mason believed it was a privileged position she found herself in – drafted by her hometown club.
“I remember when we did a few VFL sessions when I was top-age at the Falcons,” she said.
“We’d come down here, and I just think it was the coolest thing ever playing at GMHBA Stadium, so the fact that I get to kind of come in here every day, I get to train here, I get to play a few games here this season, it’s honestly, it’s unreal.”
Earning a round 8 debut last season against the then-reigning premiers Brisbane, Mason would register just one tackle in a largely unremarkable debut.
It was further soured as a stress fracture in her foot flared up in that game, the injury ultimately ruling her out for the rest the season a week later.
Despite the early “ebbs and flows” of a budding AFLW career, Mason felt there was silver linings to be found in her first 22 months in the system, while she pointed to key forward Jackie Parry as a central figure who’d helped her find her footing.
“I think my first year last year was just a really good learning curve for me personally,” she said.
“The next step up, a new level, you just have to adjust to it.
“Obviously had that navicular injury, which took a big chunk of my pre-season away and my off season, it was just rehabbing that.
“But I think it taught me a lot and allowed me to kind of work on my other strengths in getting stronger and fitter in order to actually play the game.”
In-and-out of the side to start the 2025 season, Mason was forced to prove herself in scrimmage matches.
“I think the way our coaching staff and our team go about it, it’s really good,” she said.
“They say to me what they need from me, which helps a lot.
“If I can just go out to a scrimmage when I’m not selected … and the same goes for when I’m in the team, they just say: “focus on this, focus on that”. To narrow down my focus, I think helps a lot for me as a player.”
Stringing the past two round together, with her performance against the Giants arguably built off an optimistic round 8 return against the Blues (nine touches, four marks and 0.2), Mason is determined to consolidate her new-found confidence in front of goal.
“Just being able to get more opportunity and that continuity in my own footy and playing with the girls and the system, the structure, my own confidence, it’s been really good,” she said.
“Hopefully I can get a few more games under (my belt).”
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Originally published as Geelong forward Chantal Mason on her breakout game, first year injury setbacks, and playing on GMHBA Stadium
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