IT was a unique weekend for former local, Georgia Clarke, who made her second AFLW debut after swapping the hoops for the sash in the off-season.

Clarke was picked up by Essendon and made her debut against Hawthorn on Saturday night, celebrating the occasion with a win.

The 23-year-old told The Spectator last week that the transition had been smooth and had settled in well to The Hangar.

“It has been really exciting, the girls and staff have been so welcoming,” she said.

“A lot of the girls have only been here for a year as well.

“I have been just commuting, I like where I live.

“Melbourne is not my thing, it is a bit of a hike but I am a country girl and I am used of the travel.”

After spending time in defence and forward at Geelong, Clarke is earmarked for a role in defence and said while she enjoyed the position, she learnt different things from her time playing in front of goals.

“It has its perks as well, watching other defenders as a forward, watching how others would play,” she said.

After struggling to retain a spot in the Cats’ senior AFLW team last season, the Branxholme export was delisted, but was quickly snapped up by the red and black, giving the 23-year-old a lifeline to stay involved at the top level.

“I think I was ready for a fresh start, I am keen to give it a good crack and thankful to Essendon for giving me that second chance,” she said.

“There is a lot of fire in the belly, I have been in the system for five years and don’t feel like I have shown myself fully yet.”

With the switch across to Essendon, the door remains open for Clarke to play a game in Warrnambool, after missing selection last season in the annual Geelong v Essendon clash at Reid Oval.

“Last year I wasn’t play, but hopefully this year I can have a go down there against the old side,” she said.

As for the prospect of another debut, it didn’t take on any extra importance ahead of the round one clash.

“It is very exciting to have a debut in any format, it is a bit of a different debut, but I am just ready to go and show what I am capable of,” she said.

“I try not to get too much into my head, I just want to have a solid season and play as many games as possible.

“I have never played a full season at AFLW level, so that is the goal.”