Moana Hope

When I was at that game, I was looking at them going, I want this.

I want this.

I want to play on this field.

It's a dream.

And so I literally left that and went to the gym and went back to playing local footy and then pulled on a doggies jersey the next year.

But also that was really difficult for me when I look back on it.

I think if you have a look at any photos back from when I first played the doggies,

I would wear a scarf to cover up my tattoos and I would tape my legs to cover up my tattoos.

That's what that one moment did to me.

And I'd cover up my tattoos with a tape from – you would normally tape your shoulders or something with.

And going into club rooms, I'd wear a scarf and I'd try and wear a jumper because I used to have a neck tattoo.

And so I was like a bit shamed about it because I was like, you know, I don't want to do this but I don't want them to judge me and not let me do it.

So I'll just cover it for now.

And so if you look back at those days, that's what I'd do.

And sometimes I'd sit in my car and call my friend at the time, like, I can't go in there.

They're not going to accept me for who I am.

So that was really hard going back.

But also when I was on the field, there was nothing, just me having the best time.

And whenever I play footy, nothing else exists except me in that moment, which is why I love it so much.

I just hid that kid, that kid inside of me for sure, yeah.