For Sydney Swans AFLW recruit Caitlin Reid, the start to her AFLW career has been a juggling act.
Reid works as a Surgical Senior Resident at a hospital in Sydney, all while getting to work in her first pre-season as an elite athlete.
The Swans selected the Sydney local with pick 60 in the 2024 NAB AFLW Draft after she played six matches for Geelong's VFLW team in 2024.
Despite some long days, Reid said the difference between her two jobs made it an enjoyable combination.
"In pre-season, it was a little bit more challenging, at the moment, I only do both on Tuesdays," Reid said.
"I usually get into the club at about 5.30am, we'll do an hour or so in the gym and some touch stuff, and then I'll go to work, and I'm normally at work from 7am till 10pm.
"One adage we have is to stay where your feet are, so definitely both jobs are really high pressure and very demanding, but also very different.
"So even though it's a lot, it's really enjoyable because they're both different and challenging in their own ways."
The tall impressed in 14 appearances in the AFL Sydney Premier Division for East Coast last year, where she was named in the best 13 times and played a key role in the Eagles winning the premiership.
Reid said she was feeling right at home in the red and white.
"It's really good, all the girls have been so amazing," Reid said.
"Coaches are super helpful, we're having a great time on the pitch, it's pretty hard now that we're getting into the middle of pre-season.
"The load is definitely increasing, but we're all having a great time and the girls have been so welcoming in such a great environment to be in.
"It's what I expected in terms of how physically challenging it's been, I was not expecting the girls to be this welcoming, which has been really lovely."
At Geelong, the 28-year-old averaged 11 disposals, 20 hitouts and 5 tackles.
Reid joined her teammates for pre-season training in May, and immediately made an impact, placing 5th in the Swans' 1.5k time trial in the first week.
"Obviously, everyone's super competitive, but there's also just such good camaraderie around everyone, which is really lovely," Reid said.
"Running's always been my strength, so I think the girls have been impressed with how much I can run, which I'm trying to show off as best I can and use it as my weapon.
"In terms of my skills, I'm just trying to improve on those fundamentals, like I said, I've been new to the game, I've only played five years, so you can always improve on your fundamentals."
The AFLW team will head to the Coffs Coast region next weekend for its annual Community Camp.
The camp will culminate in an open training session on Saturday at C.ex Coffs International Stadium from 11.30am to 1.30pm, followed by a FREE clinic and signing session from 2pm to 3.30pm.
Reid said she was looking forward to getting away and connecting with her new teammates.
"I think it's going to be really fun, I don't know how we'll go putting up with each other for more than six hours at a time," Reid said.
"but I'm sure it'll be great and I'm keen to get to know the girls more, have fun and spend some time with each other out there."
The Sydney Swans AFLW season gets underway against Richmond on Friday, August 15 at North Sydney Oval.
Sydney AFLW memberships are available here.
