Retired AFLW player Renee Garing steps back on netball court for first time since 2016

Ex-Geelong midfielder Renee Garing has returned to her first love amid her first GFNL netball campaign since 2016. The three-time league A-grade best and fairest opens up on her return.

Retired Geelong midfielder Renee Garing always knew she’d return to a sport and competition she once dominated before her footy career took flight.

The 36-year-old is back gracing Geelong’s netball courts after a eight-year hiatus, lining up for St Mary’s’ top side – a club she previously won the third of her three league A-grade best-and-fairest titles.

Retiring after a five-year 23-game AFLW career at the end of 2023, Garing’s initial netball comeback last year was put on hold before she played a game as she and husband Tony looked to expand their family to four – two-year-old son Parker now joined by five-month-old Scarlett.

“To be back fully amongst it this year, lots of younger and new faces that I hadn’t played with before but a lot of my teammates are still at the club,” Garing said of her return.

“It’s an incredible club in the way they go about things and do community, so to be back around that has been really special.”

Renee Garing with daughter Scarlett, five months, after round 1 with St Mary’s. Picture: supplied

Renee Garing during her time playing for Geelong’s AFLW team. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Prezioso

Making her return in round 1 against Geelong West, Garing now has three games under her belt, two taking on the centre bib before moving into WD in the Saints’ win against Lara last round, while navigating new rules like rolling subs implemented well after her last game in 2016.

Five months on from giving birth to Scarlett, Garing said while she’d tried her best to prepare herself to play, that match fitness was “so different to anything you do in the lead up.”

But while Garing’s early performances might not stack up to her own high standards, she’s confident in what she can bring as she gets her netball feet back under her.

“To be honest, the first couple games I walked away and felt I needed to contribute a lot more to the team,” she said.

“Still adjusting to teammates but also just to the dynamics of the game.

“I felt a lot more confident on the weekend (against Lara) in some of the attributes I know when I’m playing better netball, that I can bring, but still areas to improve in composure and awareness of your teammates and the speed of the game.

“Like in football, I’m someone who just wants to go out there and play my role … I hope to continue to improve on that the more training I do and the more I get to play as the season goes on.”

Garing still has her toes in the football world, now an AFLW Player Development Manager at the Cats while on maternity leave from school teaching.

The mum-0f-two praised husband Tony for his support in her return to work and netball.

“Knowing it’s really good role modelling for our kids and that’s it's really good for me and my mental health, and socially, and all those things we know community sport can bring, we’re going well,” she said.

Renee Garing (left, front row) with her St Mary's A-grade teammate during round 1 of the 2025 GFNL season. Picture: supplied

While many things have changed in the competition since Garing last played, some haven’t – Garing coming up against familiar Newtown & Chilwell personnel in round 2, while South Barwon captain Olivia Cameron is one opponent she’ll look forward to seeing again in round 9.

“The competition has maintained that competitive level and if not better, and lots of new faces who were in under-13s or under-15s when I last played, have now come through and developed themselves,” she said.

“It’s a great, fast paced game so far in all the games we’ve played so far.”

St Mary’s line-up leans more to the youthful side under new coach Kathryn Vickers, Garing’s ex-teammate also returning to the club this year, while ex-Diamond Caitlin Thwaites has come on board as a specialist coach.

“Her knowledge and expertise I’d say is second to none in the netball world that I’ve ever had exposure to,” Garing said of Thwaites.

With St Mary’s, who host 2-1 Grovedale this weekend, aiming to move up the ladder this year after 8th, 7th and 8th-placed finished across their last three seasons, Garing is confident a “tall and athletic” Saints squad can put greater pressure on the competition’s top sides.

“There is quite a physical presence among the group. I’m excited by what the group can do this season,” she said.

“This season I think we have the potential to do really well and challenge some of those top teams and hopefully make our way into finals.”

Originally published as Retired AFLW player Renee Garing steps back on netball court for first time since 2016