A LIST WISH COME TRUE
KATE Darby has described her elevation to Geelong’s AFLW list at “the expense” of close friend Renee Garing as the perfect win-win scenario.
Darby, who gave birth to her daughter, Ella, in March, has been recalled from the Cats’ inactive list following Garing’s announcement that she is pregnant and will miss the 2022 season.
The twist of fate means the key forward will again have her chance to play at the top level without having to wait for a teammate to be injured.
Darby said she could not have imagined a better way to be back on Geelong’s senior AFLW list.
“It is funny but it is the best possible scenario in my head,” Darby said.
“When I was part of the train-on list, your goal is to be able to play, but on the other hand, you don’t want anyone to get injured, so you don’t know where your head is because you would love to play but you are thinking something negative has to happen for that to be the case.
“So for something so positive and exciting to happen to someone I really care about to be the opportunity for me is a win-win.
“Renee (pictured left) is super happy for me and it is kind of a tag-in, tag-out situation, in a way.” Darby’s elevation completes Geelong’s AFLW list for 2022, and she said while it had always been a goal to get back, club officials had kept their cards close to their chests.
“Expecting is probably not the right word but it was definitely a goal of mine,” she said.
“Even when I was pregnant, I knew I would like to play again and I thought I would love to come back, but I had no idea how I would go.
“Once I had Ella, I thought I would be keen to see how I go, and so it was a goal but it is still unexpected, so it is awesome and I am super happy.”
Geelong’s AFLW side has undergone several off-field changes and will also don a new shorts sponsor for 2022 having signed a fresh two-year deal with Geelong Dairy.