Geelong coach Dan Lowther on the lessons Chantal Mason, Bryde O’Rourke will take from debuts

Geelong unveiled the second of its draft picks in Sunday’s win over Brisbane as local talent Chantal Mason debuted, with coach Dan Lowther confident it bodes well for the future.

Geelong’s Chantal Mason closes in on Lions’ opponent Jade Ellenger on Sunday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong coach Dan Lowther believes Chantal Mason and Bryde O’Rourke’s debuts this season would bode well for both player’s development.

Mason made her first AFLW appearance in Geelong’s round 8 win over Brisbane on Sunday, the 19-year-old emerging key forward taken with the Cats’ top selection in last year’s draft.

It was an emotional reveal at training, Mason tearing up after Lowther informed her and her teammates that she would finally make her debut.

It followed on from O’Rourke, a father-daughter selection, who debuted in round 6 against Fremantle, though the winger has been sidelined since with a shoulder injury as she pushes to return before the end of the season.

“I think any taste of AFLW footy for a younger player is important, so she’s (Mason) been training and training since December-January onwards, and she’s like ‘when are you going to play me coach’,” Lowther said.

“And the question’s been asked most weeks around her and Bryde and the way they’re going.

“We want to give these girls a taste of what to prepare for, for next season as well.”

Chantal Mason is presented with her jumper by teammate Amy McDonald ahead of her debut. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong’s Chantal Mason poses with family ahead of her first AFLW game. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Mason, a Geelong Falcons graduate, had a few bright moments on Sunday, from providing some contests in the air before pushing higher up the ground to lay a tackle, with Lowther confident the developing forward would grow from the experience.

“Chon went out on the weekend and had a role to play as one of our key marking targets; we think she played her role well to support our ball movement,” Lowther said.

“She wanted to have more influence on the game, yep, but for her to play against one of the best teams (Brisbane) in the competition over an extended period and against the best defence... a premiership defence, now she walks away with so many learnings from it.

“The conversations we now have are around the basis of, ‘I’ve had an experience, I know what it’s like’, although it’s a little taste, the speed factor is something that stood out for her as well, how fast the game is moving.

“So now her intensity lifts, her mindset shifts to different areas of her preparation, and Bryde’s really done the same thing after playing that short game she played a few weeks ago, they’re already looking at what’s next and how do I get better.”

Originally published as Geelong coach Dan Lowther on the lessons Chantal Mason, Bryde O’Rourke will take from debuts