By JARROD POTTER
YOU could not imagine a better AFL outing for Kara Donnellan.
Resuming her AFL career by donning the red-and-blue for the third time in three years, Donnellan, 23, was Melbourne’s mightiest on Sunday at the MCG in the annual AFL Women’s clash between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs.
She was first in under the packs, pushing aside all and sundry in her usual hard-edged attack on the footy.
Claiming 23 possessions across the afternoon – equal highest on the ground alongside her skipper Daisy Pearce – Donnellan and her beloved Demons held on against the faster finishing Dogs to claim an eight-point triumph and maintain a perfect 3-0 winning record.
She might have to hold on to her jumper though and not give it to her six-year-old brother as she’s done many times before.
This year’s guernsey holds extra gravitas because it might need to be framed alongside her AFL Women’s Match best on ground medal.
Hearing her name called out and accepting her medal from AFL Commissioner Sam Mostyn remains a moment Donnellan can’t quite imagine as she didn’t think she was in the running for it.
“I looked up at the screen – as they had the leading stats-getters up there – and saw my name was up there as the equal highest … and didn’t realise I had 23 touches,” Donnellan said.
“When they read out my name I was very shocked – didn’t expect it at all, but it’s very humbling and an honour to win it.
“Our team was fantastic and so were the Bulldogs so it was just a fantastic contest by all.”
It all started with that hushed awe earlier in the afternoon – with Donnellan taking the field before the crowd erupted.
She’ll never get accustomed to that journey onto the field, but once there the task at hand takes precedent.
“You never really get used to it – it’s always a fantastic experience and moment when you run out onto the ‘G,” Donnellan said.
“It’s the best sporting venue in the world so to have that opportunity is an absolute honour and privilege.
“You don’t get much time to soak it up though – you run out there, run your lap, get into your warm ups and then it’s on.”
While she now calls West Australia home, and has even represented her adopted state, Donnellan remains one of the south-east’s greatest football exports as the former Narre Warren/Berwick footballer continues to soar in every facet of women’s football.
She’ll take the field for WA in the State Women’s Game against Victoria at Subiaco on 5 June.
Donnellan wanted to thank Melbourne Football Club for their continued support of the women’s game.
