YOUNG Carlton forward Georgia Gee is now part of the furniture at Ikon Park after playing both the AFLW and VFLW seasons for the club.
The 18-year-old was picked 12th in the 2017 NAB AFLW Draft and played six games in her first season in the navy blue.
She then backed it up with five VFLW games, spending more time on the ball, and was named in the best for her round 15 match against Darebin after laying an astonishing 16 tackles.
"Donning the navy blue has been pretty amazing. It's a good culture (and) I feel so welcome. I've loved every bit of it and I don't want to leave anytime soon," Gee said.
"I've been playing in the middle a fair bit in VFLW, up against bigger girls who play with a lot more physicality so that's been good.
"I've also been dropping down forward for a bit of a rest, so it's been good to get a run on the ball and get a few touches."
Gee has spent this year studying a diploma in sports development at SEDA College, but is looking to start at Carlton College of Sport – the club's new education program – next year.
Created in conjunction with La Trobe University, students will study a higher education diploma in sport coaching and development, with the option of transitioning to a bachelor's degree at the university following completion of the course.
The program shares characteristics with Richmond's arrangement with Swinburne University. Blues CEO Cain Liddle was chief customer officer at the Tigers before joining Carlton.
Liddle said one of attractions of the course was the on-the-job training it would provide.
"It's a 12-month program run out of Ikon Park. As well as the theoretical component, students have access to a gymnasium where they'll be able to practice their craft from a practical sense in an elite sporting environment," Liddle said.
"Probably the most unique part of the program is the on-the-job training will actually be done within the Carlton business. You'll see students of the Carlton College of Sports out on the concourse at the MCG and Marvel Stadium helping our supporters, on the oval here at Ikon Park helping with different football programs and back of house helping with events.
"At the end of the program, Carlton is committed to hiring four students. It helps the club create a pool of staff to help support us throughout the year."
Gee said she has always wanted to work for an AFL club.
"I want to develop my knowledge of the footy environment. It'll be pretty awesome being at Carlton considering I'll be here for footy, so I thought I'd give it a go and see what it's like.
"I'm interested in coaching in the long run. I've learnt a lot from my coaches, and seeing the young girls starting to play now, I'd love to be a role model and coach them one day."
The Blues confirmed midfielder Jess Hosking has had reconstructive surgery on her right shoulder.
She had a reconstruction on the same shoulder early last year, which – along with recovering from a knee reconstruction – kept her sidelined for the entire 2017 AFLW season.
