DEMON Eliza West is making taking up a new sport look easy.

The midfielder, who earned a spot on Melbourne’s rookie list midway through the year, has only one season of footy under her belt, but is already looking right at home.

She likely has her extensive sporting background to thank for that, having grown up playing touch footy and basketball, the latter with experience in the US College system.

Despite not having tried her hand at Aussie Rules before, West’s 2021 season with the Casey Demons saw her take out not only the club’s Best and Fairest award, but the league’s Debbie Lee Rising Star Medal: an honour much to be proud of.

But for the 24-year-old, it’s just the beginning.  

“There was a lot of learning from the very start,” West told Melbourne Media.

“Even to this day, I find that I’m learning new stuff every day; every time we do a practice match, any game simulation stuff, I’m coming out with new things that I should be doing or shouldn’t be doing.

“That’s just kind of like what the VFLW season was like. I just felt I was gaining more and more knowledge every game, every session and that was just helping me throughout the season.

“If you had seen the very first game I ever played, you probably would laugh. My whole family laughed at me. It’s good that I’ve improved since then. I’m still working on a lot of things though.”

Either a fast learner or natural talent, West quickly picked things up at VFLW level last season, playing 13 matches for Casey.

She averaged just over 22 disposals and five tackles a game, while ranking No.1 in the competition for contested possessions and No.2 for clearances.

It was here she was able to build relationships with her now teammates, making the transition to an AFLW list nice and smooth.

“All the girls are really nice and friendly, same with the coaching staff.

“Even some of the girls who came back down and played throughout the VFLW season helped a lot with fitting in and just already knowing girls. It wasn’t as awkward being as new.

“It’s just a really good community; a really good place to be at and I’m loving it.”

West had her first official hit-out on Saturday, when the Demons went head-to-head with Collingwood in a practice match at Casey Fields.

Finding plenty of the footy and even slotting a goal, the Mt Martha product is hopeful she can continue to develop as an insider midfielder, taking in the knowledge around her along the way.

“I think the whole midfield group has been really good for me, guiding me and giving me feedback,” West said.

“It doesn’t matter who I go to, I know they’re looking out for me.”

Melbourne’s 2022 campaign will kick off on January 8, when it takes on the Western Bulldogs in a Saturday night blockbuster at VU Whitten Oval.