Source : ABC NEWS
Central Coast Mariners defender Sarah Rowe almost lost her voice after claiming the A-League Women championship on Sunday against Melbourne Victory.
But the 29-year-old multi-sport star has limited time to revel in her soccer side’s fairytale win with her AFLW preseason with Collingwood starting on Wednesday.
The Mariners went in as underdogs but secured the win on penalties 5-4 after scores were tied 1-1 following extra-time.
To reach the title decider, they had a shock semi-final victory over premiers Melbourne City last weekend. The Mariners went from fourth to champions after knocking over Canberra United, City and Victory along the way.
“I’ve never seen celebrations like that before, in terms of the excitement levels. It was mental, but it was so much fun, just unbelievable,” Rowe told ABC Sport.
Sarah Rowe went from being a winger with Collingwood to defender with Central Coast Mariners. (Getty: Kelly Defina)
The Irishwoman moved to Australia in 2018 after signing with the Magpies and joined the Mariners for the 2024/25 A-League Women’s season as it coincided with the AFLW off season.
This was after a brief stint with Melbourne Victory during the back half of the 2022/23 season.
“The first week of training, I was under serious pressure because I hadn’t played (in the) backline in two years. And the way you prepare for AFLW is so different to soccer. So the first couple of weeks, I was like, ‘God, I’m bad and I need to get good quick’,” Rowe said.
“And I turned into a defender as well. I’m actually a winger, naturally. So I changed position, which is a very hard shift of mindset when you’re attacking minded.”
Sarah Rowe won the A-League Women’s grand final with the Mariners on the weekend and is set to start preseason with Collingwood’s AFLW side this week. (Getty: Kelly Defina)
Rowe said she did an awful lot of work with Mariners coach Emily Husband to get herself up to speed but even so, didn’t feel entirely ready when she was thrown in the deep end.
“Maybe two to three weeks in she put me straight into the starting team, which I was like, ‘Are you sure?’ But if you back me in, I am ready and she just threw me in,” Rowe said.
“And when I reflect now, I go, I’ve played 20 games of A-League in my AFLW off season, which is essentially twice the last AFLW season, which is crazy to think.”
Rowe thinks adjusting back to AFLW will be an easier transition, particularly as she’s coming in as fit as she can be.
“That’s one massive part of it and even just the acceleration, deceleration, there’ll be lots I’ll be taking from soccer and into AFLW and I think it’ll complement (well),” she said, acknowledging they’ll be parts that will be difficult going back.
Sarah Rowe transitioned from an AFLW winger to A-League Women defender. (Getty Images)
Collingwood started their preseason last week with inductions across the clubs.
“And I just have to obviously have to re-motivate myself to go again and challenge myself again to be in that space where I essentially have to catch up on the work I missed,” she said.
“But at the end of the day, these things are my job as well. Like, I’m so lucky to do that. I just think your career is short and while you can and while you’re able (should aim) to get as much out of it as you can.”
Multi-code athlete Sarah Rowe is a winger for Collingwood’s AFLW side. (Getty: Daniel Pockett)
“There’s just so much elation. I’m so happy the way this all ended, and I’m so sad it’s over. That’s the way you feel about it, and that’s all you want in sport is to have success, and you (have) very little days of success.
“I’ve won a bit in my career, I’ve won more in my soccer career than I probably have in any other sport. But these days don’t come around that often.”
