LISA Steane admits there's a certain level of comfort that comes with signing a deal for the next two years, but she knows that doesn't guarantee the AFLW starting spot she's after.
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The former Nelson Bay Marlins player will remain at the GWS Giants until the end of the 2023 season, having made the first of her 10 appearances last year, but her goal for the upcoming campaign is more time in the middle.
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"There's part of me that feels really lucky because I've got a contract and I know I'm with a team for at least the next two years, but being on a team doesn't equate to playing," Steane, 26, told the Newcastle Herald.
"I think I feel more ready each season with more experience, but every season I still feel like I'm back at square one and I have to earn my position.
"Last year I played the first four games and didn't play much after that, so I feel like I haven't played for a while and I need to train really well and make sure I've improved a lot so I can get a spot on the starting team again."
Pre-season training officially kicked off for the Giants this week with coronavirus recently seeing the AFLW season delayed a month, now starting in January.
The competition remains at 14 teams this season, but Steane describes expansion to 18 for 2022-23 as "awesome". This includes second Sydney side the Swans.
"People are saying Sydney's not ready because there's not enough talent, but I don't completely agree ... with the right coaching and the right scouting a (second) team can definitely be fielded here," she said.
"And the expansion of teams is just one step closer to being full-time, playing more games."
Collaroy-based teacher Steane played with both Manly (Sydney) and Williamstown (VFL) during 2021.
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
