For Geelong-born Danielle Orr, playing finals in the Cats’ inaugural AFLW team is “surreal“.
The 28-year-old forward had never played football until joining the side in 2017.
Orr gave up representative-level netball to pursue football before finishing her first VFLW season as Geelong’s second leading goal scorer.
“Switching to AFL was unexpected but it was a pretty easy decision and one that I’m glad I made,” Orr told the Indy.
“Footy has always been my favourite sport, so to be able to play at the elite level is awesome.”
Orr was looking forward to Geelong taking on Adelaide in their AFLW preliminary final clash on Sunday.
The Cats team has embraced the finals fever and was optimistic about taking down the ladder leader, she said.
“We know if we play our best we can match the top sides.”
Orr planned to draw on her previous finals experience from playing in last year’s VFLW grand final, she said.
“Last year was a really big learning curve. Playing in the grand final was a huge moment.
“A few of us have that VFLW finals experience and that definitely gives us confidence.”
Representing the “Geelong community” was a big honour after living in the city her whole life, Orr said.
“I remember going down to GMHBA Stadium as a kid wearing my Cats gear and watching the footy with my dad, so to be playing finals in my debut AFLW season for the team I grew up barracking for is pretty surreal.”
