There was no way Jess Hall was missing the AFL North West's Indigenous round.
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The midfielder re-injured her cracked ribs a fortnight ago but she'll be suiting up for her Tamworth Swans on Saturday against the Gunnedah Bulldogs.
"I had a few weeks off and was healing well then got hit in the game against Inverell and back to square one with the injury but I'm not missing this round," she said.
"They will have to carry me off the field unconscious because I can't breathe, that's how much this round means to me."
Hall is a proud Dunghutti woman and that passion she has for her heritage spills out onto the field each week.
Playing in an Indigenous round will just amplify that passion this weekend.
"I have butterflies in my stomach thinking about running onto that field this weekend," she said.
"With my boots all painted and looking deadly. The girls supporting and getting around me as they know how much this round means to me. Representing not only a great club but my people.
"I feel my great grandmother would be proud of me and I know she will be with me on the day."
Hall's great grandmother went through many hardships in her life and the footballer said she was "proud of how far we have come as a country".
"My great grandmother was forced to have her kids out the back of Kempsey hospital because being Indigenous she wasn't allowed inside," she said.
"Now with health and everyone on board trying to 'close the gap' is something to be proud of.
"It doesn't change what has happened in the past and how my people were treated but it's a step in the right direction."
The Tamworth Swans have organised a smoking ceremony involving both men's and women's teams for 1.45pm to be led by Len Waters, pending the weather.
There has also been some special markings painted on No. 1 Oval recognising traditional owners.
Hall said Indigenous players had been involved in the organisation of the round, calling it inspirational.
The men will start at 2.30pm while the women will play at 12pm.
Hall said the Swans were up for the challenge against the ladder-leading Poochettes.
"I think the girls have gelled together really well this season," Hall said.
"We have lost some core team members due to future baby Swans on the way and injuries. For a team that has majority of players that have never played AFL I think we are doing alright."
Ben Jaffrey
Ben is a content curator and journalist for The Land. He has been with ACM since 2015 and first worked at The Area News and then at the Northern Daily Leader. Ben first joined ACM Agri as a digital journalist for all seven agricultural mastheads in 2022 before shifting to The Land full-time in 2023.
Ben is a content curator and journalist for The Land. He has been with ACM since 2015 and first worked at The Area News and then at the Northern Daily Leader. Ben first joined ACM Agri as a digital journalist for all seven agricultural mastheads in 2022 before shifting to The Land full-time in 2023.
