Essendon VFLW star recruit and leadership group member Mia-Rae Clifford says she’s thrilled to play alongside talented young teammates this season.
Clifford, 34, arrives at the Bombers after 18 games across three AFLW seasons for Melbourne, Geelong and most recently Fremantle in 2020.
The journeywoman, who admitted she was close to retiring after her delisting at the Dockers, said joining a youthful Essendon in a move back to her home state had been reinvigorating.
"It is exciting seeing the talent from other cross-coders coming in to play footy for the first time and all the young ones coming through the Calder Cannons," Clifford said.
"It actually is quite cool to be a part of a club that is still quite new but still has experience mixed in there as well."
One youngster who has caught Clifford’s eye is Alana Barba, who has been spoken about in AFLW draft circles after a breakout 2019 VFLW season in the Bombers’ midfield.
Clifford said the 19-year-old was a "hidden diamond in the rough".
"I think she is absolutely amazing; she has great skills left and right. I can't believe she hasn't been drafted already, to be honest,” she said.
"I really hope Essendon can get a (AFLW) licence and draft her because I think other clubs will regret not picking her up."
Despite her short time at the club, Clifford was recently voted into the team’s leadership group alongside Kendra Heil, Eloise Ashley-Cooper, vice-captain Courtney Ugle and new captain Georgia Nanscawen.
While she admits she still has a lot to learn as a leader, Clifford hopes to pass on her experience of playing at the highest level to her younger and less experienced teammates to help them develop as footballers.
"Ten years later and I've still got so much to learn and evolve, and I just can't wait to get around the group and wear that sash for the first time,” she said.
"I'll help anyone in any way I can. The young ones are like a sponge wanting to know what the system is like, and I hope I can teach them a few tricks along the way."
Clifford, who started her career as a defender before switching to a forward at Geelong to lead the Cats’ goalkicking in 2019, said she was excited about the future of women's football at Essendon.
She said the new women’s football facility at the NEC Hangar, which is due for completion in the next month, would be industry leading.
"Essendon is the only club to have a women’s own area. It’s very unique,” she said.
“The facilities here are amazing. Not many VFLW teams get access to amazing facilities like this, so the future is looking bright for women’s footy.”
Clifford is one of five players with AFLW experience on the Essendon VFLW list for 2021, joining Cecilia McIntosh (Collingwood), Heil (Collingwood), Nanscawen (North Melbourne) and Jessie Davies (Western Bulldogs).
The VFLW season is due to start in late February, with the fixture release imminent.
