Thorn in the side a big plus
FOR the past two weeks Tayla Thorn has lived the Suns AFLW experience without stepping on to the field of play.
Named as an emergency for the first two rounds, the 21year-old has this week been selected to make her AFLW debut three years after making her first league appearance for Adelaide Crows.
The defender comes into the side at the expense of veteran Sally Riley.
Thorn even flew down to Sydney for the Suns’ AFLW debut against the Greater Western Sydney Giants, but today she will get the chance to write another chapter in her AFLW second coming after spending the past two years away from the game.
“I had to go out like I was playing,” Thorn said.
“Even though I was left out (of the team), I didn’t feel left out.
“The last two weeks have been pretty tough but I’ve just had to train as hard as I could.
“I can’t wait to get out there and play with the rest of the team.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster and getting your first game means everything.”
Thorn discovered she’d be making her Suns debut at training on Tuesday night and was made to keep it under wraps until Wednesday.
“When he (David Lake) told me, I cried,” she said.
“I was speechless and I’m never really speechless around
Lakey. Training wasn’t over so I trained the rest of the day with a big smile on my face.”
As one of 17 siblings, her Northern Territory family were among the first to know.
“My parents are very needy and so are my sisters,” Thorn joked.
“They are always asking me what I’m doing and how I’m preparing and what I’m eating next.
“I kept it pretty quiet and the only person I told was my boyfriend and he let it out of the bag pretty quickly anyway.
“They’re my biggest supporters and I think they’re more excited than I am.”
Making your club debut is tough at the best of times but Thorn will have to deal with the additional excitement of pulling on the red and gold for the first time in the inaugural AFLW QClash.
Thorn, however, isn’t daunted by the prospect of adding to her five-game tally in one of the biggest games of the year.
“You want to prove your best in these sorts of games,” she said.
“I’m ready for the big hits and ready for the tackles.”