GROWING up in a rugby heartland, talented multi-sport athlete Olivia Fogarty has never subscribed to the status quo. The former soccer player always enjoyed Aussie rules, but only decided to take it more “seriously” last year.

The 26-year-old had a whirlwind first season with Ainslie in the AFL Canberra, attracting interest from AFLW clubs and earning a train-on spot with the GWS Giants. While her hopes of snatching a list spot for the 2024 season were dashed, her dreams of making it were not.

“I played my first season last year with Ainslie Football Club and it’s been so fun,” Fogarty told Rookie Me Central. “Loved playing there, there’s lots of talent that’s come through Ainslie Football Club and into the AFLW system.

“Watching the girls come in and then go into AFLW, that’s something that I really want to do. “That was last year, and played again this year and then it’s kind of hard being taken seriously in Canberra, so that’s why I’ve moved to Melbourne to play here.”

Fogarty made the move south to become a train-on with Hawthorn, getting around the playing group throughout the 2024 AFLW season and relocating to play VFLW next year should her AFLW Draft dream not pan out this season.

“The girls have been so welcoming,” Fogarty said of the Hawks. “The leadership group there, it’s been great, the professionalism at training, the buy-in from all the players has been really exciting to be a part of, and all the coaching staff I feel like they’ve got something special going on there, so being exposed to that a couple of times a week has been really, really fun.”

Fogarty’s desire to reach the elite level burns deep, with the ACT native taking every opportunity she can while training with the brown and gold, and then implementing that when she gets her chance to play.

“I’ve set myself just to give it my all at these training sessions to be noticed at the next level and show that I can if given the opportunity, can perform and fit in at that environment,” Fogarty said. “But also instinctually knowing I’ve got a lot more to learn in the game and my skills probably need more developing. “Really trying to knuckle down this VFL preseason that’s starting in a couple of weeks.

“I’m really keen for that and to just smash out a really strong preseason. “Which puts myself in a position for any injury replacement spots, or spots next year that come up, and if not, then just play consistently through the VFL. “That’s what I’m really trying to do next year.”

Most importantly, Fogarty believes she has what it takes to reach the elite level.

“I think deep down I feel like I know I’ve got what it takes to perform at that level and I’m trying to put my best foot forward, whether it be at trainings or moving states to show I’ve got what it takes,” she said. “It would mean a lot and I think that given the opportunity, would make me grow as a player and just make me a better footballer in general.

“Not to mention, meeting a bunch of new girls and being able to train every day and getting paid for it is something that being female and being a female athlete, you kind of didn’t think would ever happen. “Growing up, being younger, you’d watch male players get paid to do what they love every day, if that could happen to me that would be really cool.”

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