Everyone has a different story. A story of where the love for football began.

Some were able to play with the boys in their early junior years, but then had to stop playing competitively because there were no options for teenage girls in the world of football.

Luckily for me, I have had opportunities throughout, and was never forced to give up the game I love.

I believe this has been key in my development and will continue to be key for those younger girls coming through the system today. The support is now set in stone and the future is bright.

It all began for me at Lang Lang Football Club; home of the mighty Tigers. Before I started playing competitively for them at age 10, I was up early on Sunday mornings for AusKick – it was always the highlight of my week.

I couldn’t wait to get out in the mud - more often than not there was more mud than grass on the oval. We didn’t care though, everyone was there to play footy and have fun.

I’ll never forget playing AusKick at the Telstra Dome at half-time of a game between the Western Bulldogs v Geelong.

Running out on the same turf as some absolute legends was mindboggling to me. I remember soaking up every moment; from taking in the atmosphere to high-fiving the crowd as we ran back to the tunnel.

The foundations that were set at Lang Lang have stayed with me throughout my career.

The club and people with in it gave me a huge amount of confidence to play football and take the game on. Their absolute acceptance of me, the only girl on the team, meant more to me than they will ever know.

I think that’s all that we as women footballers really want; acceptance and a level of respect for the way we go about our football.

Lang Lang was where my love for the game flourished, and it was Cranbourne where I was able to showcase my strengths and take my game to the next level.

Playing for Cranbourne Youth Girls from 2010-2014 was my first taste of female football.

After playing in boys competitions my whole life I really didn’t know what was out there - the opportunities, the level of competition – but as soon as I arrived I realised we have opportunities just like the boys do.

Representing Victoria at national carnivals and going up against the best competition out there are some of the highlights of my career.

Just like every player in the AFLW, we wouldn’t be where we are without the community clubs and support around us.

Playing for the Western Bulldogs hasn’t changed this. Seeing firsthand how entrenched the club is in the local community, and the love the community has for its club is what it is all about.