Sarah Halvorsen never believed she would make it to the AFLW after turning to the sport she had always followed in 2017.
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But after just three seasons with Newcastle City in the Black Diamond/Hunter-Central Coast women's league, the former Australian rugby sevens representative and Herald Women's Premier League soccer grand final star has done just that.
The 24-year-old was last Tuesday selected by the GWS Giants as their second pick and No.61 overall in the national draft for the 2020 season.
Halvorsen knew she was a chance after stints with the Giants' development program the past two winters, but she was still surprised at the call-up.
"I'm really excited but a bit shocked that it happened," Halvorsen said. "It's a great opportunity I think so I'm excited to see what happens. I was in the mix but there were so many girls so I didn't get my hopes up too much."
The Giants also picked up former Nelson Bay Marlins player Lisa Steane for their fourth AFLW season. Steane, who moved from Nelson Bay to Sydney two years ago was recruited from Macquarie University. She was the Giants' second pick in the national draft, and No. 23 overall.
Although Halvorsen had shone in soccer with Merewether, scoring a hat-trick in their 2017 grand final win, and in rugby, Australian rules was always her passion.
"I followed it and had an interest in it, and kicked the ball around the park and whatnot, but there was only a women's comp about five years ago," she said. "So I was playing other stuff then I thought I'd give it a go when I could. It's just growing so quickly and there's so many girls interested in it."
Three seasons on, the key position player was thrilled to get a chance in the top league.
"I guess that was always a goal," she said. "But I never thought it would actually happen. I was just taking it step by step and taking the opportunities that popped up."
Halvorsen, a cadet engineer at Port Stephens Council, will now juggle work, her final semester of study and training three nights a week with the Giants when pre-season starts next month.
"I've still got a lot of learning to do, so it will be just learn off all the girls, gain a bit of experience and play with the forwards and backs and see what happens," she said of her goals. "I'm just excited about the opportunity and the experience."