Fremantle marquee selection Kara Donnellan has football engrained in her nature.
Beyond representing Swan Districts in the Western Australian Women’s Football League, Donnellan has a full-time role as the justice and high performance manager for the Swan Districts Football Club, of the Western Australian Football League.
It seems fitting that she should be selected to play in the inaugural women’s AFL competition in 2017.
Her life largely revolves around footy.
“I love it,” she said.
“[My side] is basically a team full of incarcerated men, who are in prison.”
“I get paid to run the prison program, coach the boys on the weekend and also run a number of high performance programs up in the Pilbara.
“I coach them, train them three times a week and coach them on a Saturday in the amateur football league.
“I basically just manage all that kind of stuff, go on a lot of camps and run all the testing days for all the participants up there.”
The 24-year-old grew up in Victoria and supported Collingwood – a decision that she believes was not entirely up to her – but her passion for the game extends far beyond the reach of her beloved Magpies.
“My whole family was Collingwood.”
“I didn’t really have much of a choice.
“I just love watching any game I can on TV.
“I coach and play on the weekends but whenever I can watch an AFL game, I sit down and watch the whole thing.”
Donnellan’s record is impressive.
AFL announces 2017 women’s marquee players
The midfielder, who boasts speed on the outside and courage in the contest, has represented both WA and Victoria on three occasions respectively.
She captains Swan Districts in the WAWFL, has earned three All-Australian jumpers and a dual best and fairest winner for the Swans.
Donnellan always dreamt she’d get the opportunity to be involved in the highest level.
Next year, she will get her chance.
“I always had it at the back of my mind that, hopefully, one day it would happen, but never thought it would,” she said.
“It’s mind blowing to think that your dreams now become a reality.”
“To play footy at the highest level on the big stage and on national TV at a fantastic footy club and to represent not only Freo but women’s footy and WA is all very exciting.
“You’ve got to pinch yourself.”
And who might she model her game on?
“I love the way Lachie Neale goes about his footy.”
“I love winning the hard, contested footy.
“I think he’s shown this season he’s pretty bloody good at it, racking up possession after possession.
“If I play half the game that he does, I’d be pretty happy with that.”
Donnellan was also glowing in her assessment of Michelle Cowan, who will coach Freo’s female side next season.
She said Cowan – with whom she shares a close friendship off the field – would bring the requisite knowledge to balance football with other demands.
“She brings a wealth of knowledge to so many different areas.”
“Not just on-field stuff but also the off-field components to footy, which is so important.
“To have someone with a wealth of knowledge in so many different areas is fantastic.
“To have her at the Fremantle Dockers is even better.”
Kara Donnellan
Age: 24
Midfielder
Captains Swan Districts in WAWFL
Selection #5 in 2013 Draft
Played with Melbourne 2013, 2014, 2015
3 x WA State representative
3 x Vic State representative
3 x All-Australian
2 x Club B&F at Swan Districts
Originally from Victoria
Justice and high performance manager at Swan Districts Football Club
