Western Bulldogs’ Ellie Gavalas never imagined playing one AFLW game let alone 50.
The midfielder-forward, who started her career at North Melbourne is set to round out for game 50 on Saturday.
Speaking before the milestone game, she said it was a pretty exciting occasion.
“I’m super pumped and super excited,” she said. “It’s Indigenous Round as well and it’s a home game.
“My family is up from Tassie and my nephew,who is one years old, will have a jumper with my number on the back.
“It’ll be the first time seeing me in person.”
Gavalas came from a soccer background, including playing for the under-17s Matildas before making the switch to football.
She played for the Bulldogs Victorian Football League women’s team in 2019 before being drafted to North Melbourne.
Gavalas returned to the Bulldogs last season, this time with their AFLW program.
“I had five seasons with the Roos,” she said. “There was nothing but love and respect for the Roos.
“There was the opportunity at the Bulldogs where I played my one VFLW season and it drew me back to the Dogs.”
Gavalas said it’s the friendships and people she has met along the way that have been the highlights of her career.
For the Bulldogs, this season is year two of the rebuild.
Gavalas said you can see the differences from 12 months ago.
“In my first year there were a lot of new players,” she said. “I was one of 11 new players and there was a new coach.
“With continuity we have been able to consolidate what we had been working on. This year has been good so far.
“Last year the intent was there and you couldn’t fault the effort. There were some teething issues. .
“But with continuity with the relatively same group as last year, we’re clear on what we want to achieve.”
The Bulldogs have started the season 1-1, with a win against Richmond.
Gavalas said there had been some good signs in round one against Melbourne before putting it together against Richmond.
“The belief in us being able to come out and execute what we want to achieve was really good,” she said.
“It was fun to get the win and hopefully we’ll get a few more for the year.”
Gavalas said the Bulldogs were aiming to play finals like every team but the main focus was about how they go about it and executing the game plan.
The Bulldogs are set to face Hawthorn on Saturday night.
The Hawks have won both their games heading into the match.
Gavalas said they had to back themselves in and play the way they wanted to.
