Magpie-turned-Mariner Rowe to swoop on ALW decider
When Sarah Rowe's Collingwood teammates finished a rough AFLW season and turned their attention to holidays, the Irishwoman had other ideas for her six months off.
But even she didn't think playing in an A-League Women grand final would be part of the picture.
On Sunday, Central Coast defender Rowe will do just that, facing former club Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park - right next door to Collingwood HQ.
"When you look at the whole story, you just think to yourself: it couldn't have worked out any better," Rowe told AAP.
"As an athlete, I love being in competition and no matter what, you can't beat competition, whether it's in another sport or not.
"So I was like, how do I best improve and learn a lot and take a lot from this off-season?
"So I just said 'I'd love to go back and play soccer'."
A former Ireland youth international before turning her focus to Gaelic, then AFLW, Rowe previously had a short stint at Victory in 2023.
But keen on trying life outside Melbourne, Rowe was put in touch with Central Coast coach Emily Husband.
"As soon as I talked to her, it just felt right," Rowe said.
"Then it was like a matter of speaking to Collingwood and seeing how we could help the worlds collide."
The Mariners share reports on Rowe's fitness so she can be ready for AFLW pre-season when she returns, while Collingwood give her space to focus on soccer.
That's included transforming from a quick, athletic winger to an aggressive full-back.
It's paid off.
"It couldn't have worked out any better and I couldn't be happier with my decision to make the move to Sydney and to go for this," Rowe said.
That the grand final comes against Victory, and coach Jeff Hopkins, is even more precious.
"When I went back last time, I hadn't played soccer in eight years and Jeff took the chance on me and backed me in and did so much work alongside (former assistant) Caitlin Friend to get me up to scratch," Rowe said.
"Massive respect for Victory and what they've done. Massive respect for Jeff and what he's done.
"But it will be all's fair in love and war on Sunday. There's no friends on Sunday."
Rowe will have her Collingwood teammates, Irish friends and even her dad there on Sunday.
"He's been there the last two weekends," she said.
"He was meant to go home after the Canberra game, and he's like, 'you're ruining my life. You keep winning. You weren't supposed to win.'
"Every week, he's been like, 'I'm staying another week' - so he couldn't miss it.
"I was trying to figure out if I could squeeze in a trip home to Ireland just before the AFLW season. My life has been turned upside down, in the most positive way.
"I've thought I've been moving back to Melbourne about five times over the last couple of weeks - and I'm still in Sydney. So it's been amazing, a rollercoaster of a journey."
When Sarah Rowe's Collingwood teammates finished a rough AFLW season and turned their attention to holidays, the Irishwoman had other ideas for her six months off.
But even she didn't think playing in an A-League Women grand final would be part of the picture.
On Sunday, Central Coast defender Rowe will do just that, facing former club Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park - right next door to Collingwood HQ.
"When you look at the whole story, you just think to yourself: it couldn't have worked out any better," Rowe told AAP.
"As an athlete, I love being in competition and no matter what, you can't beat competition, whether it's in another sport or not.
"So I was like, how do I best improve and learn a lot and take a lot from this off-season?
"So I just said 'I'd love to go back and play soccer'."
A former Ireland youth international before turning her focus to Gaelic, then AFLW, Rowe previously had a short stint at Victory in 2023.
But keen on trying life outside Melbourne, Rowe was put in touch with Central Coast coach Emily Husband.
"As soon as I talked to her, it just felt right," Rowe said.
"Then it was like a matter of speaking to Collingwood and seeing how we could help the worlds collide."
The Mariners share reports on Rowe's fitness so she can be ready for AFLW pre-season when she returns, while Collingwood give her space to focus on soccer.
That's included transforming from a quick, athletic winger to an aggressive full-back.
It's paid off.
"It couldn't have worked out any better and I couldn't be happier with my decision to make the move to Sydney and to go for this," Rowe said.
That the grand final comes against Victory, and coach Jeff Hopkins, is even more precious.
"When I went back last time, I hadn't played soccer in eight years and Jeff took the chance on me and backed me in and did so much work alongside (former assistant) Caitlin Friend to get me up to scratch," Rowe said.
"Massive respect for Victory and what they've done. Massive respect for Jeff and what he's done.
"But it will be all's fair in love and war on Sunday. There's no friends on Sunday."
Rowe will have her Collingwood teammates, Irish friends and even her dad there on Sunday.
"He's been there the last two weekends," she said.
"He was meant to go home after the Canberra game, and he's like, 'you're ruining my life. You keep winning. You weren't supposed to win.'
"Every week, he's been like, 'I'm staying another week' - so he couldn't miss it.
"I was trying to figure out if I could squeeze in a trip home to Ireland just before the AFLW season. My life has been turned upside down, in the most positive way.
"I've thought I've been moving back to Melbourne about five times over the last couple of weeks - and I'm still in Sydney. So it's been amazing, a rollercoaster of a journey."
When Sarah Rowe's Collingwood teammates finished a rough AFLW season and turned their attention to holidays, the Irishwoman had other ideas for her six months off.
But even she didn't think playing in an A-League Women grand final would be part of the picture.
On Sunday, Central Coast defender Rowe will do just that, facing former club Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park - right next door to Collingwood HQ.
"When you look at the whole story, you just think to yourself: it couldn't have worked out any better," Rowe told AAP.
"As an athlete, I love being in competition and no matter what, you can't beat competition, whether it's in another sport or not.
"So I was like, how do I best improve and learn a lot and take a lot from this off-season?
"So I just said 'I'd love to go back and play soccer'."
A former Ireland youth international before turning her focus to Gaelic, then AFLW, Rowe previously had a short stint at Victory in 2023.
But keen on trying life outside Melbourne, Rowe was put in touch with Central Coast coach Emily Husband.
"As soon as I talked to her, it just felt right," Rowe said.
"Then it was like a matter of speaking to Collingwood and seeing how we could help the worlds collide."
The Mariners share reports on Rowe's fitness so she can be ready for AFLW pre-season when she returns, while Collingwood give her space to focus on soccer.
That's included transforming from a quick, athletic winger to an aggressive full-back.
It's paid off.
"It couldn't have worked out any better and I couldn't be happier with my decision to make the move to Sydney and to go for this," Rowe said.
That the grand final comes against Victory, and coach Jeff Hopkins, is even more precious.
"When I went back last time, I hadn't played soccer in eight years and Jeff took the chance on me and backed me in and did so much work alongside (former assistant) Caitlin Friend to get me up to scratch," Rowe said.
"Massive respect for Victory and what they've done. Massive respect for Jeff and what he's done.
"But it will be all's fair in love and war on Sunday. There's no friends on Sunday."
Rowe will have her Collingwood teammates, Irish friends and even her dad there on Sunday.
"He's been there the last two weekends," she said.
"He was meant to go home after the Canberra game, and he's like, 'you're ruining my life. You keep winning. You weren't supposed to win.'
"Every week, he's been like, 'I'm staying another week' - so he couldn't miss it.
"I was trying to figure out if I could squeeze in a trip home to Ireland just before the AFLW season. My life has been turned upside down, in the most positive way.
"I've thought I've been moving back to Melbourne about five times over the last couple of weeks - and I'm still in Sydney. So it's been amazing, a rollercoaster of a journey."
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Tia-Clair Toomey, who was an Olympic and Commonwealth Games weightlifter before turning to the International CrossFit Games where she is a seven-times women's champion, was appointed an AM. The same honour was bestowed on long-time swim coach John Rodgers - who guided Michelle Ford to Olympic freestyle gold in 1980 and has more recently worked with the nation's open water program - and rugby union player and coach Shirley Russell, among others. Nicole Livingstone heard it all when leading the charge of women into the male-dominated sport of Australian Rules football. "You name it, I heard it," Livingstone, the former AFLW chief executive, told AAP. "Women shouldn't be playing footy, it's a men's game. "Women aren't built for football; the standard was not good; the AFL was moving too fast. "Now, I look on proudly with the AFLW going into their 10th season - it's pretty incredible." Livingstone is among sports identities in the King's Birthday Honours List, appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia. After swimming at three Olympic Games, Livingstone carved a successful broadcasting career before moving into sports administration - she left her AFLW role in 2023 to become the Victorian Institute of Sport's chief executive. "Elevating women's sport is something that I have always tried to do," she said. "Women have always been doing extraordinary things for Australia in sport but it has taken time for women to be recognised for their sporting prowess. "Having a strong belief in equal opportunity and breaking down that barrier was really important." But for Livingstone, sport is only part of her King's Birthday honour, which also cites her service to community health. Her mother Elsie died from ovarian cancer in 2001, prompting Livingstone and her sister Karen to form Ovarian Cancer Australia the same year. "Most charities are formed through personal tragedy and most charities don't survive very long," Livingstone said. "Twenty-four years later, the organisation is not only still in existence but it's the peak organisation for ovarian cancer in this country in terms of advocating research, providing nurse support for ovarian cancer patients. "That is a special one." Other sports luminaries featuring in the King's Birthday Honours List include respected Australian rules football official Brian Cook, who has been appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia. Cook has been the chief executive officer of AFL club Carlton since 2021, having previously filled that role at Geelong (1999-2021) and West Coast (1990-99). He is joined in the honours list by fellow AFL identity Chris McDermott. The South Australian great and inaugural Adelaide Crows captain received a Medal (OAM) in the Order of Australia. 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But his stint was far from ideal, with the then 19-year-old tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on debut. Arzani is well aware he'll need regular game time at club level ahead of the 2026 tournament as he weighs up a potential move. "Any of the boys that are looking to move are off contract. I think that thought process will be in their head," Arzani said. "It's a big deal, a World Cup. It's massive. Everyone wants to be a part of it. It's going to be very competitive. "We know we've got a lot of talent as well coming out of Australia, so I think it's definitely important that if I go, I'll be playing weekly." Not easily or by coincidence has Daniel Arzani earned a second shot with the Socceroos. And the Melbourne Victory A-League Men star won't squander his World Cup hopes as he weighs up chasing his European dream again. Arzani is bent on helping Australia rubber stamp their path to the 2026 World Cup with a win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday (AEST). After their heroic 1-0 win over Japan in Perth last week, only a highly improbable loss by five goals or more would condemn the Socceroos to ceding second spot and automatic qualification to the Saudis. Arzani is backing himself to prove his mettle after working his way back to the national team. "There's always been a little bit of self-doubt there, especially after the way things unfolded the last few years," Arzani said on Sunday. "It changes very quickly - up and down, up and down; positive, negative. "I'm happy to be in the situation that I'm in now. It hasn't come by easily, nor by coincidence. "I've worked really hard to be here, and it's been a slow process. "I feel like now I've got a good base to really show what I can do and to hopefully go even further." Arzani had lit up the 2018 World Cup for the Socceroos at the tender age of 19. Now 26, the winger is reasserting his case in the national team after losing time to injuries and ill-fated stints in Europe. "It's actually a little bit more special, because for the first time, I'm involved in the qualification process as well," Arzani said. "Being around such a good group of lads, really feeling that connection, everyone working towards one common goal, is always a special feeling. "It's something that I never experienced before, a real eye opener, and one that I'm really enjoying." Off-contract at Victory, Arzani is reportedly weighing a move to Scottish Premiership club Hearts. He is no stranger to the Scottish league, having played for Celtic on a two-year loan from Manchester City in 2018. But his stint was far from ideal, with the then 19-year-old tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on debut. Arzani is well aware he'll need regular game time at club level ahead of the 2026 tournament as he weighs up a potential move. "Any of the boys that are looking to move are off contract. I think that thought process will be in their head," Arzani said. "It's a big deal, a World Cup. It's massive. Everyone wants to be a part of it. It's going to be very competitive. "We know we've got a lot of talent as well coming out of Australia, so I think it's definitely important that if I go, I'll be playing weekly." Not easily or by coincidence has Daniel Arzani earned a second shot with the Socceroos. And the Melbourne Victory A-League Men star won't squander his World Cup hopes as he weighs up chasing his European dream again. Arzani is bent on helping Australia rubber stamp their path to the 2026 World Cup with a win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday (AEST). After their heroic 1-0 win over Japan in Perth last week, only a highly improbable loss by five goals or more would condemn the Socceroos to ceding second spot and automatic qualification to the Saudis. Arzani is backing himself to prove his mettle after working his way back to the national team. "There's always been a little bit of self-doubt there, especially after the way things unfolded the last few years," Arzani said on Sunday. "It changes very quickly - up and down, up and down; positive, negative. "I'm happy to be in the situation that I'm in now. It hasn't come by easily, nor by coincidence. "I've worked really hard to be here, and it's been a slow process. "I feel like now I've got a good base to really show what I can do and to hopefully go even further." Arzani had lit up the 2018 World Cup for the Socceroos at the tender age of 19. Now 26, the winger is reasserting his case in the national team after losing time to injuries and ill-fated stints in Europe. "It's actually a little bit more special, because for the first time, I'm involved in the qualification process as well," Arzani said. "Being around such a good group of lads, really feeling that connection, everyone working towards one common goal, is always a special feeling. "It's something that I never experienced before, a real eye opener, and one that I'm really enjoying." Off-contract at Victory, Arzani is reportedly weighing a move to Scottish Premiership club Hearts. He is no stranger to the Scottish league, having played for Celtic on a two-year loan from Manchester City in 2018. But his stint was far from ideal, with the then 19-year-old tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on debut. Arzani is well aware he'll need regular game time at club level ahead of the 2026 tournament as he weighs up a potential move. "Any of the boys that are looking to move are off contract. I think that thought process will be in their head," Arzani said. "It's a big deal, a World Cup. It's massive. Everyone wants to be a part of it. It's going to be very competitive. "We know we've got a lot of talent as well coming out of Australia, so I think it's definitely important that if I go, I'll be playing weekly."
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Women's trailblazer among batch of feted sports figures
Nicole Livingstone heard it all when leading the charge of women into the male-dominated sport of Australian Rules football. "You name it, I heard it," Livingstone, the former AFLW chief executive, told AAP. "Women shouldn't be playing footy, it's a men's game. "Women aren't built for football; the standard was not good; the AFL was moving too fast. "Now, I look on proudly with the AFLW going into their 10th season - it's pretty incredible." Livingstone is among sports identities in the King's Birthday Honours List, appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia. After swimming at three Olympic Games, Livingstone carved a successful broadcasting career before moving into sports administration - she left her AFLW role in 2023 to become the Victorian Institute of Sport's chief executive. "Elevating women's sport is something that I have always tried to do," she said. "Women have always been doing extraordinary things for Australia in sport but it has taken time for women to be recognised for their sporting prowess. "Having a strong belief in equal opportunity and breaking down that barrier was really important." But for Livingstone, sport is only part of her King's Birthday honour, which also cites her service to community health. Her mother Elsie died from ovarian cancer in 2001, prompting Livingstone and her sister Karen to form Ovarian Cancer Australia the same year. "Most charities are formed through personal tragedy and most charities don't survive very long," Livingstone said. "Twenty-four years later, the organisation is not only still in existence but it's the peak organisation for ovarian cancer in this country in terms of advocating research, providing nurse support for ovarian cancer patients. "That is a special one." Other sports luminaries featuring in the King's Birthday Honours List include respected Australian rules football official Brian Cook, who has been appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia. Cook has been the chief executive officer of AFL club Carlton since 2021, having previously filled that role at Geelong (1999-2021) and West Coast (1990-99). He is joined in the honours list by fellow AFL identity Chris McDermott. The South Australian great and inaugural Adelaide Crows captain received a Medal (OAM) in the Order of Australia. Rugby league Hall of Famer and Queensland's current State of Origin chairman of selectors Gene Miles also received an OAM, as did soccer's Jimmy Rooney, who earnt 102 Australian caps from 1970-80. Tia-Clair Toomey, who was an Olympic and Commonwealth Games weightlifter before turning to the International CrossFit Games where she is a seven-times women's champion, was appointed an AM. The same honour was bestowed on long-time swim coach John Rodgers - who guided Michelle Ford to Olympic freestyle gold in 1980 and has more recently worked with the nation's open water program - and rugby union player and coach Shirley Russell, among others.
