Rebecca Privitelli was picked up by Carlton via its final pick in the draft last year – a selection that will no doubt strengthen the Blues’ defensive structure when they take to Ikon Park on Friday night for their season opener.
The 22-year-old’s love of playing AFL started as a family affair. Being the eldest of her extended family, a love of footy was passed down to her through her father and her five uncles.
“I grew up loving it and I would just got to the football with dad every single week,” Privitelli said.
“I knew that even if there aren’t many opportunities, I loved football too much to not play it.”
Like many other girls, Privitelli played with the boys for as long as she could, but she then went to St. Damian’s and Kew to play youth girls footy.
Following her time in the female youth system, Privitelli was selected at pick 14 in the first-ever women’s draft in 2013, ahead of the likes of Western Bulldogs star Katie Brennan and Carlton’s own Bianca Jakobsson.
At only 18, Privitelli was expected to play in the exhibition games following the initial draft. It was something she admits she wasn’t ready for then, but now with much more elite experience behind her, she’s ready to tackle 2017 head-on.
Rebecca Privitelli in action for Victoria in 2015. (Photo: AFL Media)
“To perform at that level I just didn’t have the experience or knowledge that a lot of those other girls had,” she said.
“I think the experience was fantastic, and it is something that definitely shaped me as a footballer, and taught me a lot. I just needed more time to grow and develop and last year I think I finally found my feet.”
After three seasons playing for Darebin in the VWFL, Privitelli moved to the Eastern Devils where she asserted herself as a strong defensive player. She also worked to make sure her game was at a level she could take into the AFLW.
Off the field, Privitelli has dedicated herself to coaching the Northern Knights Youth Girls team, a move inspired by her desire to pass on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of women’s players.
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“I love that whether we’re coaching, or playing, or working in an admin role you can still have such an impact on the younger generation coming through,” she said.
“That’s my biggest inspiration, to be able to make a difference and using footy as a tool for that.”
Her focus at the moment is the upcoming season and getting herself right after a pre-season hampered by injury. With no recent set-backs for Privitelli, Carlton fans can expect to see the Blues’ No.9 dominating in the backline sooner rather than later.
