Western Bulldogs midfielder Gabby Newton couldn’t be more excited to make her return to football this weekend.

The 20-year-old was placed on the inactive list for AFLW season six after undergoing a dual-shoulder reconstruction, but has ticked all of her rehab boxes and been given the green light to play in Saturday’s practice match against GWS.

“It’s wild – you don’t realise how much footy means to you until it’s taken away,” Newton said.

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Gabby Newton | 'You don't realise how much footy means to you'

Gabby Newton discusses her dual shoulder reconstruction and what it means to be back into full training.

“Just to be back out here with the girls – footy is so fun. You genuinely forget how fun it is to just play sport with your friends.

“I didn’t realise how hard it was going to be (on the sidelines) but watching them play, watching them go through the hard times – the losses hurt me so much more because you just felt so useless not being able to help.

“I think I know a lot more about what people who are in rehab go through. I definitely never want to go through that again, but still grateful for the experience.”

The season being brought forward from January to August was a blessing in disguise for Newton, who realised it meant returning to the action was closer than she first anticipated.

Saturday’s hit-out might also see the former number one draft pick in a new role, having spent most of preseason training with the forwards.

“At first I was thinking more about the girls, and how they’d back up one season to the next after only a few months, but then for myself it was more like ‘yes, now I don’t have to wait until January to play again!’ so I was definitely excited,” Newton said.

“Particularly as I continue to build match fitness, it will be good to spend some time down forward. I actually haven’t kicked a goal in AFLW yet, so I’m crossing my fingers I can get one.

“It’s so difficult to play intra-club and match simulations against yourself because both teams know what the other is trying to do. It’ll be nice being able to try our structures on somebody else, and  just see where we are at.” 

The Bulldogs and Giants will go head-to-head in a practice match at 11.30am this Saturday at VU Whitten Oval.