Get to Know Georgia McLean

26/04/2022

Off the footy field, she spends her time working in the Victorian Police Force. Read about Georgia McLean's career.

Georgia has been working in the Police force for nearly 5 years and shares with us the ups and downs of balancing her footy career with her policing shifts. 

Georgia went through an exam and recruitment process at the start of her career to ensure she was suitable for this job. She had to go through 31 weeks of training at the Academy to then graduate as a police officer. 

"I've always been in community-based roles throughout my working life and joining Vic Pol was an extension of this interest and passion. I can’t sit still at the best of times so a desk job just wasn’t for me”, Georgia reflects on what originally attracted her to this career path. 

Georgia shared how her career in the Police force has benefited her life as well as the downsides of juggling both jobs. “I love being out and about with my job and amongst the community. It can be pretty challenging at times, there's a lot of creative rostering and a few swaps between colleagues here and there to make sure I can get to training and games.”

She also discusses the physical challenges regarding balancing her time between the Police force and the Southern Saints and how she does her best to overcome them.

"Fatigue and workload can be a real struggle with balancing work, footy and general life. Most of the time I am working before or after training and games so sleep is at a minimum (coffee is my best mate). I need to be pretty on top of prepping my meals and having 'life admin' things quite organised so I can go from one thing to another as seamlessly as possible.”

Each day differs in the Police force, however, Georgia explains what she can expect on an average day patrolling the streets of Melbourne.

"If I am on a response shift, I would get to work, kit up with all of my equipment and log onto the system for the shift making us available for jobs. We are then responsible for responding to 000 jobs within our response zone. We work 8-hour shifts but often get overtime to deal with what we pick up or have to manage". 

Outside of footy, Georgia has many different hobbies such as hiking and going for long walks, spending time with her dog Abbey, “who is an absolute delight”. She also loves trying new food (especially anything Asian fusion), as well as testing the newest coffee spots all around Melbourne. You can catch her “sipping an almond latte somewhere majestic most days”. 

In her spare time, she enjoys listening to ‘Waiting for Nothing’ by Hayden James on repeat, binge-watching Harry Potter, which she quotes as the “hands-down best movie series of all time”. She also is a big Max Gawn fan, admiring his leadership as well as his cool, calm and collected nature both on and off the field. 

Footy has become a great outlet for Georgia outside her busy life. She enjoys having a kick with her friends a few times a week and being a part of this supportive environment that allows her to challenge herself and her fitness at the same time. 

"Dale has created such a supportive environment at the Saints which is a real credit to her and the positive coaching style she has", says Georgia

A player to watch this year according to Georgia would definitely be Hannah Stuart. 

"She absolutely gets it done every game. Her work through the mids is tireless and her physicality is rarely matched. She is always holding us accountable at training and providing a benchmark for intensity and the standard expected of us. Hannah leads by example superbly.”

Written by Haylee Cohen & Anika Giarracca  - Sandringham Football Club Media