Essendon ruck Leah Cutting is loving her start to life at the NEC Hangar.

Joining the club from St Kilda in the free agency period ahead of the 2023 season, Cutting will provide welcome versatility and endurance to the Dons’ ruck stocks this season.

Speaking to Essendon FC after her first month of pre-season, Cutting said her introduction has been nothing but positive.

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We speak to new recruit Leah Cutting who joins the team ahead of the 2023 season.

“I’m loving it to be honest, it’s been a really seamless transition. I’m just loving the mindset that every girl has to bring into training,” Cutting said.

“We just want to get better with every session, so having the attitude out on the track’s putting us in really good stead.”

After two COVID-interrupted seasons and eventually being placed on the Saints’ inactive list ahead of AFLW season seven due to work commitments, Cutting is ready to attack another opportunity.

The culture of the playing group has also helped in allowing Cutting to feel more than welcome in her early days at the club.

“That was a really surreal moment for me (to receive the call from Essendon), I knew I wasn’t done playing footy at this level,” Cutting said.

“It’s a lot easier this time, it’s a credit to this group that have made me feel really at home and at ease. (It only took) a couple of sessions within that first week for me to really click with the girls.”

Amongst an exciting blend of fresh and seasoned AFLW talent, Cutting has found herself keen to play with both new teammates and some familiar faces.

“You know you’ve got your big names like Bonnie Toogood and Maddy Prespakis, but I’m actually really excited to play footy again with Jacqui Vogt,” Cutting said.

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“(Vogt and I) played together at the Saints and the way she goes about it, attacks training, the little one-percenters, I learnt a lot from her.”

Cutting is renowned for her athletic prowess and follow-up efforts, with an SANFLW premiership and two team-of-the-year selections already in her football CV.

Asked what she brings to the Dons side, Cutting knows her on-field intensity and leadership can also go a long way.

“I just think my ferocity on the field (is a strength). I might not get a million possessions a game, but you know I’m going to try my hardest, I’m a bit of a workhorse around the contest,” Cutting said.

“(I) bring leadership, bring the voice, I’m all about the vibes.”