CRICKET, soccer or footy.
The three sporting options Ryleigh Wotherspoon had growing up, a trifecta of choice for the young Queenslander.
“I played football when I was eight through to 11, but it was with the boys in North Queensland,” Wotherspoon explained.
“It then got to that age where Mum and Dad said I was going to have to choose a sport and at that time I was in Queensland soccer and cricket.
“So, the choice was quite simple and pretty straightforward.”
The decision was made for her at the age of 11, with no further football pathways available, Wotherspoon was forced to focus on cricket and soccer.
It’s not a new barrier within the AFLW space, but it’s one that Wotherspoon had to experience like many who have gone before her.
“I moved to Brisbane, did a bit more through the pathways and ended up making the Australian U15 cricket team and then the U18 squad,” Wotherspoon said.
“I thought it was honestly going to be cricket from there on, but I met some mates at university in Brisbane and one of them played for Sherwood (Football Club) and I thought that'd be cool to go back to footy just in the off-season from cricket and see how it goes.
“It's gone so quickly and now it's amazing. I wouldn't have it any other way.”
After a journey that was mostly dominated by cricket and soccer, Wotherspoon became an AFLW player on December 18, selected with pick No.12 at the 2023 AFLW National Draft.
“It was pretty surreal,” Wotherspoon said.
“I'm from Queensland and had it at my local footy club, Sherwood Magpies, and got a couple of my mates to come along.
“I wasn't too sure how exactly it would play out, but obviously very grateful that Melbourne Demons picked me up.
It was a whirlwind two days for the then 19-year-old, travelling from Brisbane the Melbourne to meet her new teammates and coaches just the morning after being drafted.
"I got flown down to Melbourne and Maevo (Maeve Chaplin) and Hanksy (Tyla Hanks) actually picked me up and had a little sign waiting for me at the airport," Wotherspoon said.
"I was a bit nervous, but they made me feel very welcomed.
"I was keen for a new chapter and obviously knew I had to go interstate, going from Queensland to Victoria, so I think I was just excited for the journey, keen to meet new people.
"I was excited to develop and learn some new things."
Since December, she has made the official move down south, settling into life as an AFLW player.
Her connection to the club and teammates has made it a particularly smooth transition, leaning on her new housemates to help Melbourne feel like home.
"I moved in with two other interstaters, Lily Johnson and Grace Hill," Wotherspoon.
"We have a good time at home, throw a couple dance parties, have a bit of a singalong, cook some dinners together.
“I'd say we're getting pretty close and they're great people.”
From her list of achievements it’s clear that Wotherspoon is a naturally talented athlete, with versatile skills that suit roles across the ground.
While she came to the Dees having spent time in the midfield, with quick hands and a strong attack on the ball, it’s a new position challenge at the club that she’s excited about.
“I like the way midfielders go about it, very relentless players and very creative.
“But I've been spending time in the forward line and I'm really enjoying it.
“It’s a new challenge and I’m excited to see where that goes.”
