One more year, then I’ll be home Mum
Credit: She Scores
If I had to describe the last 5 years of my life in one sentence, it would be ‘chasing a football around Australia and loving every minute of it’. My AFLW journey began in 2017 in what could only be described as an unorthodox manner. I was drafted to the Adelaide Crows whilst living in Darwin alongside eight of my fellow teammates, with the remainder of the squad being based in Adelaide. In an elite sporting environment it’s extremely uncommon that a team is forced to train as two separate groups but the part time nature of AFLW left us with little choice. When I wasn’t at training I was working full time as a teacher and juggling team meetings via Zoom. The sheer amount of travel the Darwin group faced throughout the year would have been exhausting alone, but putting that alongside work outside football was quite draining.
Considering we rarely trained together as a full squad it was pretty remarkable that we made it all the way to the Grand Final. The week leading into the game we had a rare opportunity to spend time together as a group, after arriving in Queensland a few days prior. Once Grand Final day finally came, we knew we were the underdog’s, but we had a clear vision on what we needed to execute to win. Getting to play at Metricon stadium in front of 15,000 people, was an experience like none other I'd had before. The actual game is all a blur, especially those last few minutes when we were leading by 4 points and the ball was in and out of the Brisbane Lions forward line. The feeling when the siren went was indescribable, it’s a sense of euphoria athletes spend their entire life chasing. In between hugs and celebrations, I stopped to have a moment to myself in the middle of Metricon Stadium when I realised that there were only 21 AFLW Premiership medals existing in the world and I had one around my neck. Being Vice Captain of a premiership winning side and having my family there in the stands made it even more special. A day I will never forget.
Credit: She Scores
Having experienced the highest of highs being a premiership player, on the same day two years later it was one of my lowest lows. Our team made the AFLW Grand Final for the second time in 2019, but my heart sank when team selection was announced midweek and I was named as an emergency. That feeling of emptiness, heartbreak and loneliness made Grand Final week feel like it went forever. Team selection and the Grand Final result was out of my control, however what I could control was my attitude by staying optimistic and getting around my teammates. I was determined to make a positive impact on the group in any way possible even though I wasn’t going into battle with them on the ground. Having spent three years with this group, I now had lifelong friends attempting to win their second premiership and although deep inside I was so upset, I felt incredibly proud watching them win the premiership in front of 53,000 screaming fans at the Adelaide Oval.
Credit: She Scores
I may not have a second premiership medallion to my name but if I am honest, the 2019 Grand Final is more special to me. In 2017, we were virtually strangers, but during the 2019 season I felt such a unique and deep bond with the playing group as a whole and the individual relationships I had made with my teammates. The three years I spent at the Crows was incredibly special, however, at the end of the 2019 season I knew it was time for me to take up a new challenge. I knew I had more to give at the elite level. One door closed at the Crows, and another door opened for me at the Gold Coast Suns.
It was daunting leaving an environment I was both happy and comfortable in, but that nervous feeling quickly turned into excitement. I discovered that I had more strengths as a player and a person than I had previously realised. After three years being in an elite and highly successful environment at the Crows, I had a unique opportunity to use these skills to help shape a new football club and guide the Sun’s in the right direction. From the moment I walked in the door at the Suns I knew I had made the right decision.
I have always been a person who prides themselves on looking out for others and wanting the best for the team. As an experienced AFLW player having been through the highs and the lows, I’ve realised I have a lot to offer as a leader and the pure joy I get out of helping others pursue their goals. As much as times have been difficult and mentally and physically challenging, I am grateful that I have overcome those speed bumps, become more resilient and ultimately more driven. I think for these reasons I have become a better leader for our young playing group at the Suns.
My life started as a simple country girl from Ballarat, but since 2017 I’ve moved interstate four times, I have been forced to resign from some amazing jobs, played for two great AFLW clubs and have left behind friends and family to start fresh over and over again. Why do I do this? I do this because of the people you meet along the way. I have learnt that life is so much greater when it’s shared with people you care about, none stronger than the connections I’ve made with my teammates from both the Crows and Suns, which will last a lifetime.
