IF THE football cliché is that ‘it’s been a big week in football’, then spare a thought for new Melbourne player Anna Teague.

The 30-year-old was elevated from the rookie to senior list last Wednesday – it was the build-up to her AFLW debut for Melbourne – when she replaced the injured Sarah Lampard.

From there, she travelled to Alice Springs from Melbourne, and met up with her teammates, after they came across from Perth, having played against Fremantle the previous week.

“I didn’t go to Perth with the other girls, but the rest of us flew up last Wednesday and met up with the whole team – we all had a big embrace and all gave each other hugs,” Teague told melbournefc.com.au.

“We had a couple of community visits, so I went out to Santa Teresa, from Alice Springs and we went to a school and it was amazing. The kids loved every part of it and there was a big emphasis on trying to alleviate trachoma, so being able to help educate through footy was pretty special.

“Then to visit the women’s prison and have a kick with them was eye-opening. It helped me appreciate what I have, which is important.”

On Thursday night, Teague, who previously played basketball with Geelong Supercats, was officially told she’d be playing her first AFLW game. And it was a moment the 2017 No.6 NAB AFL Rookie Draft selection would never forget.

“It’s funny because the whole footy world is new to me – as are my teammates – but we had training on Thursday night and Daisy [Pearce] pulled me out after training,” she said.

“I thought I was going to get told ‘sorry, not this week’, but Daisy and Mick Stinear said ‘how do you feel about playing this week?’.

“I was pretty rapt and then on Friday I was able to take a breather and prepare myself mentally and physically with the hot conditions that were there. I had butterflies leading up to the game and I was feeling pretty ill, which is normal for me.

“But once we got to Traeger Park, the nerves settled and I was just trying to embrace it all. I just soaked it all in because that was my first game – and that’s never going to happen again in an AFLW game, so that means the world to me.”

Although Melbourne’s loss to Collingwood in Alice Springs wasn’t the result she was after, Teague said the team was determined to bounce back strongly against the Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields this Friday night.   

“The game was a really disappointing loss, as was the loss against Fremantle the week before, so we’re looking to get back onto the winners’ list this week,” she said.

“For me, I’ll have to wait and see if I get selected or not, but regardless, it’ll be about making sure we’re all on the same page.

“It’ll be a best test this weekend.”

Having been a fine basketballer, Teague said she had no regrets making the move to football.

“I’m still mates with a lot of the basketball girls and I do miss them, but I catch up with them every now and then,” she said.

“In terms of the transition from basketball to footy, I’m really glad I did it, even though it was pretty tough.

“Leaving the Supercats community, I knew that if I didn’t try footy, then I’d regret it. It’s all worked out and I’m super glad I’ve done it. I’m on a really great path.”

Teague, who is the brother-in-law of former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld, said he was proud of her achievements, along with the rest of her family.

“I’ve been able to have some chats to him along the way and he’s been able to give me some pointers, but all of the family is rapt for me,” she said.

“I was lucky enough to have Mum and Dad, and my boyfriend, Seb, up in Alice Springs, so that was great to share it with them.

“They’re so glad for me that I’m able to experience all of this.”

Teague, who is also a school teacher by profession, said she relished the opportunity to be among the community camp visits this week, having visited the likes of St Patrick’s Primary School, Murrumbeena.

“They’ve embraced every part of it,” she said.

“I told Mum I was coming St Patrick’s and she said ‘oh, that’s funny, your dad and I got married at that church, at St Patrick’s in Murrumbeena’, so she was pretty stoked with that as well.

“Just being able to come out into the community is always fun and it’s nice to see girls and boys loving it equally. The opportunity wasn’t always there for the girls, so it’s nice to see them with some good skills as well.”