Runnalls pictured alongside her family after the pre-game jersey presentation.
Yarrawonga’s Airlie Runnals fulfilled a childhood dream when she ran out for Collingwood last Thursday night in the AFLW season curtain raiser.
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In front of 8042 people at Ikon Park, Runnalls earned 11 disposals and applied one tackle for the Magpies, who went down by 24 points against Carlton.
From watching the men’s side win the 2023 premiership in-person at the MCG two years ago, to becoming a Magpie herself, Runnalls said it was a dream come true to play for her childhood club.
Runnalls releasing a handpass under the Ikon Park floodlights against Carlton. (Photo credit: @Aflwvflwphotos)
“It means a lot to me, to finally put the Collingwood jumper on for the first time,” she said,
“Despite the result, it was such an exciting game.
“I was playing on the wing where all of the crowd was, they got really loud which was amazing.”
Runnalls said it was not until late last year when she thought there was a chance of representing the Magpies.
“It wasn’t something I thought would come true until it did, it was extremely special to wear the jumper for the first time,” she said.
Runnalls’ father, mother, two brothers, sister and sister in-law were in the locker room before the game, and on the field in the guard of honour, as the players ran through the banner before the match.
She was one of five players who made their first appearance in black and white colours last Thursday.
The Magpies will look to bounce back this weekend when they play their first home game of the season, at Victoria Park this Saturday against Greater Western Sydney at 1:05pm.
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