AFL WOMEN’S ruck Leah Cutting has a new South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s club, and is hoping her form in the upcoming 2023 season will earn her a place on one of the South Australian AFLW club lists. Cutting is currently a Saint, having being picked up by St Kilda ahead of Season 6, where she managed seven games for the red, white and black.

The 30-year-old averaged 6.5 disposals, 12.7 hitouts, 1.9 clearances and 5.3 tackles per game at AFL Women’s level, easily stepping up from SANFL Women’s level where she played more than 50 games for the Redlegs. Unfortunately the back-to-back seasons meant Cutting had to take Season 7 off due to “critical staffing” shortages and now has to seek a path to one of the two South Australian clubs.

“I was expected to play the part two of the season that just went, but work wouldn’t allow me to go back over there to fulfil my contract because we’ve got critical staffing level,” Cutting said. “I understand their position and though I’m disappointed, I’ve used it as a stepping stone to develop my footy back at SANFL level to try and step me up into either Adelaide or Port Adelaide hopefully to fulfil those commitments there with work as well.”

Though her ruck craft is what has made her name across South Australia, Cutting is looking to play a different role in 2023 at her new club, Woodville-West Torrens.

“The change in SANFL clubs has been really, really good for me,” Cutting said. “I think I needed a new step in the right direction and I think under Narelle Smith the head coach at the Eagles, we’re really working on developing me in a different position down in the backline this year. Really invigorated myself and my footy and hopefully get me the best shot of getting to an Adelaide club so finger’s crossed.”

Cutting said the part-time nature of AFL Women’s meant it was not feasible to be able to play the sport she loved anywhere in the country, and work in her dream job. That was why seeking a spot back on one of the local club lists was key to being able to juggle both her sport and work.

“Women’s footy isn’t quite at a position yet where we can solely concentrate on one,” Cutting said. “For me, policing is my career and what I want to be doing for the next 40 years of my life.

“For footy with me, I’ve probably got another good five years in me so I want to juggle them both, committed to work and footy. But I’m really enjoying developing the younger girls at Eagles as well, stepping up in the leadership aspect and also stepping up in a different position on the field for me.”

Off-field, Cutting has already started the next phase of her footballing journey. She has been involved coaching at Under 16s level with the State Academy, imparting her knowledge over the journey, and was always able to provide vocal support last season for Norwood when she finished her AFL Women’s commitments.

“I just completed my level two coaching course actually a couple of weeks back and that was really good,” Cutting said. “I think as you start to get a little bit older you need to start to think about life after footy and for me, I’m really passionate about it and passionate about the direction that SANFL our pathways we’ve got in developing girls at the moment.

“My passion lies with football at the moment, so I think trying to transfer what I know from a footy aspect on the field up into the coaches box will be really important.”

Though the consistent ruck is the older side of 30, Cutting felt she was as fit and as strong as ever. Though she was set on playing at the elite level again, she knows that injuries can strike at any stage, which is why she is beginning her post-career work off-field.

“We’ll see how the body holds up, right now I’m probably in the best shape of my life in terms of strength and agility,” Cutting said. “Feeling really good, but in three, four years time who knows what’s going to happen, injuries are just around the corner. I’ve got to keep the options open and keep trying to do what I can do to support the sport that I love.”

Woodville-West Torrens has traditionally struggled in the past being one of the newer sides, but under a new off-field team and some talented young guns, began to show signs last season. Despite finishing in seventh, the Eagles lead at three quarter time but lost on four occasions. Had they converted those games into wins, then they would have played finals. That is a goal the team is set on achieving, though Cutting believes the Eagles can not just make up the numbers but go deep into the post-season series.

“(We’re a) very young club but I’m really, really excited about the direction that we’re going.” Cutting said. “I think the best part about being young is we don’t quite know what we’re capable of.

“I know we’re capable of pushing into the finals, and deep into the finals, but I’ve got a really strong confidence that hopefully this group can take it into hopefully a grand final as well. The structures we have, with fitness we’re really working hard. These girls are just knocking on the door and are ready to prove some big things this season.”