THE BIG SWITCH

At the time, I couldn’t have seen myself playing Aussie Rules two years later.

I was looking ahead to Tokyo 2020. The plan was to continue with the sevens program and be a professional fulltime athlete.

At the end of 2017, I made the decision to take a break from rugby. After starting my first few months working as a new graduate physio, an opportunity presented itself in early 2018 to trial with Carlton.

I enjoy the challenge of learning something completely new.

I had a similar experience when I switched from basketball to rugby, but that was probably a little easier because I had grown up in a rugby family and watched it my whole life. I understood the game well and I knew how it worked. I just had to learn the skills and tackle technique.

Footy has been a bigger challenge. I started the year not really knowing the rules. I’d watched AFL and AFLW on TV but, being from Sydney, I hadn’t been around the game as much as others. There are girls here at Carlton who have been playing since they were four years old. Their kicking technique is second nature and their passion is incredible.

That’s the goal for me: to get to their level. I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m up for it.

I didn’t sign an AFLW rookie contract with Carlton to be the Olympic rugby sevens exhibition player or anything like that. I’m determined to make it as a footy player in my own right.

One thing that has really struck me about living in Melbourne is how fanatical the support for footy is. People are obsessed! I’m working as a physio and all my clients want to talk about is footy. Especially at finals time, it’s the only conversation.

It’s a different level to Sydney. I love it. It’s pretty cool to be around.

I’m getting into the history of the game, too. We train at Ikon Park and when you walk through the hallways there are photos and memorabilia from all the different eras of Carlton. They’ve built a section for the women, too. There’s a wall with quotes from hundreds of people captured immediately after the AFLW competition was announced. They’re really inspiring. It’s special seeing that as you’re walking out to train.

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After taking a break from rugby at the end of 2017, I’m pretty stoked to announce that I’ll be having a crack at AFL in 2018.

A post shared by Chloe Dalton (@chloeedalton) on May 3, 2018 at 3:41am PDT

THE ROAD AHEAD

I don’t expect to walk into Carlton’s AFLW team because I had success in another sport. I’ll be assessed like everyone else on our roster.

I’ve learned a lot this year – and there’s a lot more I need to know.

I played most of this VFLW season on the wing. A little bit of midfield, but mainly wing. Over the last few months. I’ve developed a better understanding of knowing when to hold my space and when to  close in to try and impact the play. I’ve watched a lot of video, listened to the coaching staff, picked up tips from whoever was kind enough to offer them.

Not that you think this way at the time, but making mistakes has been a really important part of the education process. There would be times when I would screw something up and think, ‘I know I’ve done the wrong the thing here,’ but because I don’t have a long history in the game I wouldn’t necessarily know what it was.

I’m grateful for all the times my coaches and teammates have pulled me aside and explained a situation to me. You listen, learn and try not to make that same mistake again.

That’s the path I’m on, the path I’ve chosen. I’m loving it.