GEELONG Falcons skipper Georgia Tyrrell is a natural contested ball winner who has had some massive games this year in the Coates Talent League Girls competition. Running out for Vic Country for the first time in 2025 over the weekend, the Ocean Grove and St Joseph’s junior looked comfortable around the ball.
We chatted to to Tyrrell at the Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing event where she spoke of her journey, game and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Georgia, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
GT: “I was originally a swimmer and I came over and began playing footy when I as in Year 6. I started playing footy for my local club Ocean Grove and then I played there for about a year and then I moved into St Jospeh’s in Geelong and then I played there for a season and then got picked up by the Geelong Falcons. I’ve been there, it’s my fourth year now. I think my dad, he was coaching at the time when I was in Year 6 and he convinced me to give it a crack and I just haven’t looked back. I just love the game.”
Q: Did you do swimming to a high level?
GT: “I did. I was a squad swimmer but now it’s just a bit of fun and recovery and I guess if I have any niggles or something you can still get a lot of fitness out of it, but it’s not heavy on your body as well so it’s a good hobby on the side of footy I think.”
Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?
GT: “I think I’m a pretty tough player, pretty in-and-under. Love contested work instead of a race to the ball I’m more of a strong contested player. Love my tackling, and love in-and-under in the midfield and centre bounce work.”
Q: Is the midfield the primary role you’re going to play this year?
GT: “Yeah I would say so. I haven’t trained anywhere else which I think if recruiters were looking at that they’d probably want a second position so I’d look at that as well, but primarily I’m a midfielder, 100 per cent.”
Q: You touched on a few of your strengths, can you expand on them and then some of the things you’re still working on?
GT: “I think the biggest strength for me is probably my contested work, so just being able to win the footy. I think something I’ve got to work on is probably decision making or maybe execution under pressure. That’s something I’m working on, and exploding out of the contest is what I’m working on. But I’m definitely able to win the footy contested and probably my tackling is a huge strength for me.”
Q: Do you watch a lot of footy?
GT: “I do, yes.”
Q: Who do you support?
GT: “I’m a Carlton girl. Born and bred.”
Q: Any reason for supporting Carlton?
GT: “I was just born into it, but I think my biggest inspiration is Patrick Cripps which is kind of why I got the number nine. I’m pretty obsessed with him. I was just born into it and I’m happy that I was really.”
Q: Are there any players that you look up to and try and mould your game on?
GT: “For the AFL I would say Crippa, 100 per cent. He’s my biggest inspiration. I love Sam Walsh as well. But I feel like I model my game most off Patrick Cripps because we’re more in-and-under and stronger bodies at the contest. For AFLW, Ebony Marinoff is another one of my inspirations. She’s really, really tough and able to win the footy, but also her defensive work is unreal, so her as well.”
Q: Finally, what are your goals for the upcoming season?
GT: “I think looking quite far ahead my biggest goal this year is to be drafted, that’s what I want out of the year. But I think just really enjoying this year ahead, I know it’s going to fly, so enjoying it with my teammates and being the best leader I can be out on the field as well.”
