Dream finally reality
MADDY Roberts broke down in tears when she was told she was becoming the Gold Coast Suns’ first AFLW priority signing.
The 26-year-old was overcome by emotion built up over four years from a sport that has provided her heartache while also becoming her saviour from the grief of life outside of football.
“When I was told about the contract the tears kept falling,” Roberts said.
“I couldn’t stop them. There was nothing I could say that could describe how I felt.
“I’d never set a goal this big before in my life and never chased anything so big for so long. It’s good because now I know deep down that if I want something bad enough and keep at it then I can do it.”
The former soccer player had her hopes of making the AFLW crushed multiple times but the Coolangatta Bluebird fought through the mental demons and self-doubt that crept in with each setback.
The small forward and midfielder entered the inaugural draft in 2016 quietly confident she would be picked but was overlooked.
She was part of the train-on side with the Brisbane Lions in 2017 and told she was the top reserves player, only to not be asked back the following year after being overlooked at the draft for a second time.
Around the same period Roberts dealt with the separation of her parents and her own relationship breakdown.
“The first draft I had a lot of positive feedback and while nothing was set in stone, I was confident,” Roberts said.
“When I didn’t make the cut I was thrown off. To be totally Charlotte Hammans, Ellie Hampson, Kitara Whap-Farrar Jamie Stanton, Tori GrovesLittle, Paige Parker (pictured), Tiarna Ernst, Jacqui Yorston, Sam Virgo, Lauren Bella, Emma Pittman, Leah Kaslar, Jasmyn Hewett, Jordann Hickey, Sally Riley, Maddy Roberts wrong and not know where you went wrong and having to continue to have faith in yourself was hard.
“It was awesome playing the for Lions reserves to see how it works at AFLW level but I was on the outskirts of my dream. It’s hard to stay motivated.
“Mum and dad got divorced and I fell out with my partner. There was so much going on at the same time. Footy was my outlet, it saved me at the same time.”
The dental nurse opted to miss the 2018 draft after finding out bout the Suns impending arrival to the AFLW in 2020, putting all her energy into making the team.
After impressing in the Suns AFLW Summer Academy program and 2018 Winter Series, Roberts has finally fulfilled her dream. She will feature in today’s QW Winter Series match against Brisbane at Metricon Stadium.
“I’m absolutely stoked. It’s been a dream of mine for about four years so for it to become a reality is unbelievable.”