If you told Abbey Tanner at the start of the year that, three rounds into the VFLW season, she’d be leading the competition in hit-outs, she’d have said ‘you were dreaming’.
But that is exactly where she finds herself in 2019.
Tanner played two games in 2018 and was named emergency on multiple occasions, falling just short of entering what ended up being a premiership winning side.
However, an opportunity made available through injury this season along with a change of attitude has given Tanner her best run yet in the state’s highest level of women’s football.
“I was really disappointed with the effort that I put in last year, so I didn’t want to make the same mistake twice,” explains Tanner.
“I’ve matured quite a bit and I realised that being part of this club this is where I want to be.”
The 24-year-old changed her mind-set and her lifestyle over summer, whilst also juggling a new job.
“I had a massive restructure of priorities, I decided I’m going to knuckle down and give footy another crack and see if my best is good enough.
“Then I got promoted at work, so I was trying to manage that whilst also trying to push myself in pre-season.
“I was working 6.30am to 5.00pm five days a week because I knew I would need to take time off for footy later-on.
Now mid-way through the year Tanner feels a bit more settled, at work, at football and within herself.
“These days I just feel a bit more settled in myself.
“I’m just happier and a bit more confident.
“I’m fit, I’m healthy, I’m strong and I’m currently achieving the goals I want to achieve.”
Tanner’s biggest football challenge to date came on the weekend when she lined up on AFLW All Australian ruck Lauren Pearce.
The hit-outs were 21 to 20 in Pearce’s favour, showing that Tanner can match it with the competition’s best.
“I tried to not get too focussed on her.
“I was trying to stay focussed on the fact that I was getting good feedback and that the coaches seemed really happy with what I’d done in the first two games.
“She was a superb ruckman and I learnt a lot from playing against her.”
Tanner is a much-loved member of the Hawthorn squad because of the energy she brings to the group, an energy she says comes from feeling accepted.
“I feel very accepted and like it’s reciprocated.
“I’m in an environment where people just seem to really enjoy me and value me for who I am and I don’t have to be anyone else or try and dull myself down in anyway.
“I value that an immense amount and that’s half the reason I’m so happy coming here, because I feel like I can be myself and that’s enough.”
Hawthorn play Williamstown in Round 4 of the VFLW this weekend at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday at 11.30am.
