STEPH Wales assumed the No.1 ruck mantle at Essendon at just 19 years old.
The Bombers backed the basketballer – who hadn't qualified for any under-18 talent programs, playing local footy before a year of VFLW at Casey – in the sink-or-swim position.
A role that usually requires great physical strength, her driven and analytical mind is helping the now 21-year-old blossom.
"I think back at me when I was 19, I was like, 'Damn, what was I doing sometimes?'" Wales told AFL.com.au.
"I got thrown into the deep end at the start, which was a bit scary, but now I'm really grateful for the fact that I was because I maybe wouldn't have ended up getting as big of an opportunity as the club has given me.
"I've definitely grown into it. Considering we haven't had that many rucks at the club, I've learned off the coaches, but then also just going to work on other rucks in the comp, and really delving into how they win their stoppages and hitouts."
A natural athlete and able to move around the ground well, Wales – fresh off a "no-brainer" four-year deal signed earlier this year – turned her attention to her strength levels, marking and ruck craft over the off-season, as well as the tail end of her nutrition degree.
She also hit the tapes, studying the work of rucks around the competition. Top of her list was twin sister Lucy, who plays at Hawthorn, given their genetic similarities.
Heading into week three, Steph was sixth for both average hitouts and hitouts-to-advantage, and averaged more marks than the five players sitting higher.
"I felt like my hitout output could have been a lot higher in my second year (last year) than my first year. So I really just went to work on techniques, and worked with our midfield coach and stuff to try implement that into my game," Wales said.
"Honestly, I look at Lucy's vision quite a lot. I know I can play similarly to her, because we've got similar bodies. She's had a bit more ruck experience than me in younger levels, and she's also a bit undersized, so it's good to see how she works around that. Then it's probably the big names like (Western Bulldog) Alice Edmonds.
"In the off-season, I definitely went to work on my marking and physical presence. I'm probably a bit outsized in strength in the ruck, so not necessarily just getting stronger, but trying to use it to my advantage, and maintaining my athleticism.
"The marking work is more done out on the track, doing some craft around it. My technique needed a bit of work as to how to beat my player one-on-one, because obviously a lot of my game is spent with the ruck right there.
"Bonnie (Toogood) and 'Magic' (Sophie Alexander) have helped me out a bit, I've been doing some forwards stuff, purely because it translates nicely into my marking. Myself, Matilda Dyke and Emily Gough have gone to work on it, knowing we can get better."
