Kaslar’s back where her rise began
THE sleepy capital of Western Australia may be over five hours from the Gold Coast by plane but Perth has never been far from Leah Kaslar’s mind.
Long before she was named the inaugural co-captain of the Suns’ AFLW side alongside Sam Virgo, the 34-year-old was throwing her weight around for the East Fremantle Sharks after making the move from the Gold Coast to progress her football and professional career (and surf a few new waves).
Despite being forced to relearn how to kick, finding herself in the under-16s talent academy at the age of 23, Kaslar’s stocks quickly rose.
She was named best on ground as an undersized ruck in the Sharks’ victorious 2011 WAWFL grand final, winning player of the finals and players’ player the same year. Last weekend when the Suns faced the Eagles, Kaslar even had a brief reunion with fellow Sharks product and Eagles captain Emma Swanson as they bumped elbows and tossed the coin before the first siren. And now she and her Suns are back to inflict more pain on Fremantle Dockers.
“Hopefully I can terrorise a few more Western Australians this weekend,” Kaslar said of her return to the backline.
“I do know several girls on their team and I’ve played with and against a couple.
“We’re just so lucky to have this opportunity.”
Like many of her teammates, Kaslar rode the rollercoaster of emotions on Wednesday night as the Suns waited to hear whether they had qualified for finals.
“Focusing on that stuff is draining and challenging,” she said.