NEW AFLW Bulldog Analea McKee certainly did not let anything get in her way of achieving her AFLW dream.

From her early days not even watching the sport growing up to making it to the big time, McKee has come a long way.

Initially plying her trade in the now-named Coates Talent League before moving on to the VFL Women’s competition, she was given her first opportunity in the AFLW with Brisbane last season as an injury replacement.

“I actually played netball growing up,” she said. “I didn’t really know anything about football, because my parents are both from New Zealand, so we watched a lot of rugby… I played my first game of footy when I was 14.”

“We had that smaller draft last year, so I didn’t get picked up in that one and then went back and continued playing with Geelong in the VFLW. My manager then got a call from Brisbane and they wanted me to come up and have like a little trial.

“I think I flew up on the Friday and had a trial with them until Tuesday, or maybe Monday, then I flew back. So I did that, which was a really cool experience, and then on the Wednesday they called me up and said they’d like to offer me a list spot as an injury replacement player.”

The young forward loved her time at Brisbane.

“It was amazing, such a great club to be at for your first year of AFLW,” she said. “The professionalism of the club and the way all their staff, their players, and everybody knows their role.

“It was terrifying to start off and because I wasn’t sure where I was going to be at or what kind of level I’d be at amongst those girls, but I think it was cool to see how I was able to push myself and be able to just grow so much as an athlete.”

Despite only being named as an emergency on AFLW Grand Final day last year, McKee said that it was “pretty cool” to be a part of the experience.

“You definitely wanted to be out there and playing with them, but it was exciting that I was that close to almost being in a grand final as well,” she said. “I’m so proud of the girls for winning it. It was exciting being on the sidelines because those are your teammates and you want them to succeed.”

After the season concluded there was not a spot for her on Brisbane’s list, so McKee was put up for a trade.

“I was picking out of two teams and I picked the Doggies as I was able to come home and be closer to family and friends,” she said. “I just also loved the opportunity and when I got to speak to the club, I just loved what they offered me.”

She has really enjoyed her time at her new home at the Kennel so far.

“We have so many new staff members, so many new players and these amazing facilities now that are pretty much almost done for us, and I think being a club that’s like, you know, rebuilding is so exciting,” she said. “You get to rebuild the type of brands you want to be, bringing the professionalism, I think that’s great.

“These girls are also just so talented. So friendly and so welcoming, I’m just enjoying being there with them and the opportunities we have as being the underdogs is super exciting.”

Heading into 2024, her expectations for the season are pretty simple.

“I’d love to play as many games as I possibly can, but as well as a team just continue to grow and play like our style of football,” she said. “Also to build heaps of connections as well as a team, really learning how each other plays and as a forward liners especially, really working together.”