Dual sport star Georgie Cleaver has been successfully juggling her time between football and netball, and says she is relishing her experience at West Coast so far.

The Eagles drafted the talented teen last year via pick 39 with the understanding she would transition between sports.

Cleaver produced an outstanding 2023 on the netball court, securing a gold medal while representing Australia at the Youth Commonwealth Games, and silver with the WA State U19 team at the National Netball Championships.

In March this year, Cleaver was signed by the West Coast Fever as a training partner for the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season.

On the football front, the 18-year-old left-footer has most recently starred for East Fremantle in the WAFLW, playing a pivotal role in the Shark’s 2023 premiership win over Claremont.

Despite the crossover of schedules, Cleaver said she’s handling both demands.

“There’s a little bit of a crossover at the moment and for the first few weeks of pre-season, but I’m handling it well,” Cleaver said.

“West Coast Eagles and West Coast Fever have been in communication with each other to manage both my netball and footy load, and the support from both clubs has been really good.

“I’m in season for netball at the moment, so just trying to fit in footy skills and gym and conditioning while I get through the last few weeks of netball.”

On the surface, football and netball appear vastly different in most aspects, but Cleaver said there are some skills that correlate across both codes.

“There’s lots of crossovers and similarities,” Cleaver said.

“Definitely the mental side and handling pressure and being in a team environment.

“Some other little skills transfer, obviously footy is a bigger oval, netball is shorter sharper steps, but I can sort of use both skill sets to help with the other as well.”

Since arriving at the Eagles nest and spending time with her new teammates, Cleaver said she’s loved the journey so far.

“It’s been really good, such an exciting journey to come into the club and meet all the girls,” Cleaver said.

“Training has been unreal in the first few weeks of pre-season.

“The environment is just unreal, especially with the coaching staff always being so supportive of my career.

“And the girls have just welcomed me into the club and have made it such an enjoyable experience so far.”