When Aasta O’Connor arrived at Geelong, her aspirations weren’t limited to performing on the field.

Post her playing career the 32-year-old has her sights on becoming a coach and the club was committed to helping her pursue her passion.

When a knee injury ruled the veteran ruck out of the most recent VFLW season, O’Connor used the opportunity to gain coaching experience putting her hand up to assist with the side’s midfield group.

“A big part of why I have chosen to come to Geelong was to work with the club off field and to work with developing myself as a coach,” said O’Connor.

“Throughout the winter I coached the VFLW mids, particularly working with the talls.

“So Rene (Caris), Georgia Clarke, Kate Darby, just working on their physicality and their desire, that thirst for the contest and to impose themselves physically as tall players.

One player who has received particular attention has been fellow ruck, 19-year-old Rene Caris.

The two will shoulder the majority of the team’s ruck load in the upcoming season and O’Connor has made an effort to assist Rene with her physicality.

“With Rene, just her natural running ability, if we can couple that up with a bit of you know grunt and aggression, I think she’s going to be a real player for the future.”

Former number one draft pick Nina Morrison has also benefitted from O’Connor’s leadership on and off the field.

“Aasta brings an enormous amount of experience and footy knowledge to the group,” said Morrison.

“This is important given our team contains so many young or relatively new players.

“It’s obvious she has a genuine care for helping and seeing others develop, and she’s a selfless player with a team-first mentality as a result.”

O’Connor’s focus for the 2020 season?

“I just want to positively contribute to my team.

“I know that might sound like a cliche but you know the game’s been really good to me, I want to be good to the game and this club is a great place to be.”