Port Stephens Aussie rules product Lisa Steane will make her AFL Women's debut for the GWS Giants on Saturday.
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It was partner Jeremy Eddy who delivered the news to Steane that she would be making her long-awaited AFLW debut in the Giants' second round match against the Roos in Tasmania on February 15.
Surprising Steane at her job as a school teacher, Eddy showed her a video message from Giants AFLW coach Alan McConnell asking if she knew where her jumper was.
"Hey Lisa. I've been trying to catch you all day," McConnell says in the video. "Hey, listen, do you have any idea where your jumper is? We can't find it at the footy club.
"Oh, hang on," McConnell says before looking off camera. When he looks back he said: "It's okay, we've found it. It's actually packed on the plane to go to Tassie. Congratulations, you're playing your first game this week."
As the news sinks in, Steane can be seen on camera celebrating with Eddy and her colleagues.
"I thought I was in trouble," Steane joked. "I don't know why but I got really nervous. I feel really overwhelmed and really shaky but I feel this is the going to be the start of something really amazing. I can't believe it's actually happening."
In the video, Eddy, a former Nelson Bay Marlins player, said: "She's been trying her heart out for ages and she's finally going to get what she deserves."
Watch Steane receiving the news here:
Steane's journey to the AFLW has not been an easy one with the 25 year old from Salamander Bay overlooked in three drafts before she was selected with the Giants' second pick in the 2019 women's draft.
After getting her start in the sport with the Nelson Bay Marlins in the Black Diamond league, Steane moved to Sydney and joined Macquarie University where she has continued her development during the past two seasons.
Primarily a midfielder, Steane played for the Giants' VFL Women's side in 2019 and claimed best on ground honours in Macquarie University's 2019 AFL Sydney grand final win.
"Lisa was probably a bit stiff to miss out in round one to be perfectly honest," McConnell said.
"She had some really good form over the pre-season practice matches on the back of a really impressive VFL program for us.
"Lisa is one of those girls out of Sydney who made it onto our list and really benefited from the VFLW program last year.
"She's an interesting player, she can play inside midfielder or outside. Lisa's probably more adept on the outside but she's also played ahead of the ball, on the wing and behind the ball for us so she gives us a lot of flexibility in how we can set up on the weekend."
Steane's entry into the AFLW comes after fellow Nelson Bay Marlins player and good friend Pippa Smyth was drafted by the Giants in 2018.
In their second game of the AFLW season and off the back of a first round win against the Gold Coast Suns, the Giants will take on the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos in Launceston.
Steane comes in as the only change to the Giants team that beat the Suns in round one.
Kick-off against the Roos is at 3.10pm.