Tara Murray
The disappointment of not being taken in this year’s AFLW draft quickly disappeared for Alana Barba.
Having missed out on being drafted for a third straight year, Barba thought her dreams were again on hold.
But a phone call from the Gold Coast Suns hours after the draft changed everything.
“I had an interview with them a couple of days before the draft, but obviously no promises were made, you can’t think too much into that,” she said.
“A few hours after the draft, Cameron Joyce [Suns AFLW coach] gave me a call and let me know that there was a spot to fill and it was mine if I wanted it.
“It was pretty surreal in that moment and I was shaking a bit, I didn’t know if I had heard him properly.”
Barba had heard him properly and she was announced as a Suns player late last month, with the club putting two other players on the inactive list.
The Mickleham resident had to sit on the news until it was officially announced.
“I can’t really believe that it has actually happened,” she said.
“It was a pretty big secret I’ve had to keep and it was one I was happy to keep.
“My phone was flooded with messages and all the support from all my family and friends has just been amazing and a lot of the Gold Coast girls have reached out, been lovely and really welcoming”
Barba, who played most of her junior football with Roxburgh Park, made the move to Queensland following the official announcement.
She said she had no hesitation in moving interstate to take up the offer.
“It’s always in the back of your head, that I’ve been looked over three times,” she said.
“In 2019 I was invited to the draft and I sat through the entire draft with my name not being called out, it was obviously heartbreaking.
“I think I have bounced back from that really well and if anything it has made me work harder to prove that I can play at this level.
“I’m grateful that Gold Coast saw something in me and they’re going to give me this opportunity.”
Barba heads to the Suns off a strong VFLW season with Essendon, playing a key role in their finals run.
She said that playing VFLW had taken her game to the next level.
“I think it prepared me for the next level, with the bigger bodies and the competition being a lot more professional, rather than NAB League level and I think I’m well prepared for the next level.”
Barba said she was keen to get straight into work after completing hotel quarantine.
“I’m grateful I can be here,” she said.
“There’s a lot of hard work ahead and I’m looking forward to meeting the girls and getting to know them.”
