GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) women’s assistant coach Adrian Pavese will realise a dream in Adelaide on Saturday.
It will be a dream come true for the Griffith mentor when he forms part of the Giants’ coaching team for the opening round of the inaugural AFL Women’s (AFLW) competition.
Pavese has spent the past four months working with the Giants girls and cannot wait for game day against the Crows.
“Ever since I first started 26 years ago, I wanted to coach AFL footy,” Pavese said.
“I didn’t care how I got there, I just wanted to put myself in a position to better myself.
“My title here says AFL coach, it doesn’t matter to me that it’s womens.
“I’m very proud that I’ve got here but I want to keep going. Now that I’ve got here, I don’t want to stop.”
Pavese travels from his Canberra home to spend two nights a week in Sydney at the Giants, plus his game day role. He also is senior coach of Riverina League club Griffith.
Pavese said he has thoroughly enjoyed the historic journey to this point.
“The girls are jumping out of their skin,” he said.
“It has come so quick and I think that’s a good thing because there has been no time for nerves.
“It’s been great and the Giants have been unbelievable, with their facilities, as well as the support on and off the field.”
Pavese, an experienced coach in women’s football, warned AFL fans not to expect too much too soon from the ladies.
“They’re all chomping at the bit...and they’ve got no fear, I think that will show up. Some of the collisions will be quite pronounced,” he said.
“Once the ball gets moving and the girls get space, there will be a lot of run and carry, and good movement.
“People are going to need to be paitent. You’re not going to see scorelines like you do in the men’s. What you will probably see is teams in the contest for 90 per cent of the game.”
Pavese said the Giants are starting from further back than some of their opponents but still expects a strong showing from his team.
“We’ll be competitive,” he said.
“We’re not up with the Western Bulldogs, Melbournes or Fremantles. But that’s purely based on the fact that Western Bulldogs and Melbourne have been doing this for years. And Fremantle is pretty much the WA state team.
“One thing that’s going to show is that NSW-ACT footy prides itself on contested footy.
“We’ll surprise a few, there’s no doubt about that.”
