POWERFUL utility Rose Bell has proven herself up both ends of the field and is comfortable in any role she is thrown in for the Murray Bushrangers. Hailing from the Albury region, it means the New South Wales prospect is not tied to Vic Country nor the Giants Academy, though has shown what she is capable of over the last few seasons.

We spoke to Bell about her footy journey, the challenges of being n the New South Wales border, her game, and goals for the year ahead.

Q: Rose, tell us a little bit about your footy journey and the pathways you took to where you are now.

RB: “Obviously started Auskick when I was young, took a break from footy, after not being able to play with the boys anymore. Went on to basketball and played a few other sports, and then a friend, Molly McLaren, who’s been through the program, dragged me along to local, and from there I’ve obviously played V/Line, led into Bushies, and yeah, going quite well.”

Q: For you, you’re eligible to the Allies, so you’re New South Wales. Whereabouts in New South Wales are you from?

RB: “Albury, so the border of Vic and New South, which makes it a little bit hard to play, because of (not being eligible for) Vic Country and being in a Coates team. “But yeah, Allies picked me up last year and it really helps me.”

Q: At this stage of the year, what do you do in terms of training? Because the Allies don’t have anything together at the moment, do they? You’re just training with Murray and local?

RB: “I’m focusing on Bushies at the moment. So hopefully as the year starts, I start really well and Allies, pick me up again and I have a few good games in the Champs. But that’s the main aim.”

Q: What’s your favourite position to play?

RB: “I’d probably say half-back. I’d like to say I’m quite versatile, like I do like kicking the goals sometimes, but half-back – I feel like I just read the ball well coming in and can get it to good players in better positions.”

Q: You started forward last year and then when Majella Day came in, you went back after that. What was that kind of switch like? Are you flexible enough to kind of move?

RB: “I enjoyed that switch. Obviously the first couple of games we were on top and it allowed me to go forward and kick a few goals for Bushies, but as Majella came back she took that spot. I quite enjoyed playing back though – got to see a bit more of the ball at the back end of the season and made our way through the finals.”

Q: Do you think you two can play in the same zone? Or is it better you being separate?

RB: “I reckon it’s better us being separate. Obviously if you’ve got two quite strong targets up one end, it makes it quite hard for the team to rebound the ball. So I feel like having one up either end makes it quite easy.”

Q: What do you sort of see as some of the strengths in your game?

RB: My strengths would probably be my IQ. I feel like as AFLW is developing, a lot more girls have more IQ, but I feel like I’ve started that playing with the boys from quite a young age. That, and probably just kicking and fundamentals.”

Q: And what are you looking to improve on at the moment?

RB: “I’ve had a wellbeing coach who has helped me improve my running, so endurance and sprinting. I feel like my sprinting has definitely gotten better, but still working on the endurance side of things. hopefully with games starting soon, the endurance and match fitness can ramp up a bit more.”

Q: Who’s had the most influence in your career?

RB: “I’d probably say my parents. They obviously help me quite a lot with travel and everything. They’ve always supported me no matter what I do. I feel like my parents are huge. And also Fletch (Michelle Fletcher), the (Murray Bushrangers) wellbeing coach, she’s massive. She always supports me and has really helped me develop my running and endurance in the offseason.”

Q: Which AFLW club do you support.

RB: “Geelong, big Geelong supporter. Playing Auskick I had the Geelong colours, so always grew up going for Geelong.”

Q: Was that just family-based?

RB: “Yeah, some of the family do go for Geelong, but Dad’s a Pies supporter, so it can be a bit questionable sometimes.”

Q: You’re in the position where you’re in New South Wales but not the Giants Academy zone, and you therefore aren’t eligible to be in the Vic Country hub. How do you find those challenges?

RB: “Yeah, it’s quite difficult sometimes. Like you have your moments where you’re quite down about it. Obviously your teammates have Vic Country and they’re off talking to clubs and all that kind of stuff, and I feel like I’m just a little alone sometimes. So obviously Giants pick me up when they need me, but yeah, it’s quite difficult sometimes.”

Q: In terms of a player you look up to at the top level or model your game on, who would you say that is?

RB: “I’d like to say someone like Brayden Maynard. I’m quite tough out on the field and, you know, you just tend to run through a few people sometimes.”

Q: And then just finally, what are the goals you’ve set for yourself this year?

RB: “Trying to play a few good games at the start of the season to get into Champs, that’s probably the main goal. But also having fun with it. Obviously I want to get to the top level, but I also want to remember what’s important – still having the joy in the game.”