WITH an 11-month-old baby, not having played a game in more than a year, then watching as COVID-19 delayed and shortened the AFL Central West women's season, Jayarna Kay very nearly opted out of playing with Bathurst Giants in 2020.
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But her competitive drive and desire to play with her 'sisters' lured her back. It was a decision she was mighty glad she made on Saturday as the Giants were crowned premiers.
"That was amazing, I've only been waiting since 2015. Oh I wanted it alright," Kay said.
"I was thinking I was done, bubby is only 11 months old so I wasn't sure if the body would handle it. I came back I think in the third round, got a few touches on the ball, felt pretty good, but that first game was still a bit of a rusty one.
"But I played a couple more games and after that I knew I was here for good.
"I think I just love the game, it doesn't matter how old you are, while the body can still move why not get out there and have fun?
"I love footy, it's the best sport, the best code I've ever played in my life and it's just part of me."
As Kay indicated, it has taken her six years to finally be part of a premiership outfit.
She played in the inaugural AFLCW women's season in 2015 as the Orange Tigers captain and her side made it to the grand final, but they were outclassed in the decider by the Bathurst Lady Bushrangers.
The following year Kay was one of the best on ground in the grand final for the Tigers, but they again went down to the Lady Bushrangers.
In 2017 the Tigers fell to Dubbo by 13 points in the preliminary final while in 2018 after switching to the Bathurst Giants, Kay played in her third grand final. Again it was a loss as her side fell seven points short.
Kay sat out last year, but on Saturday she finally got the premiership medal she so badly wanted as the Giants posted a 3-1-19 to 0-2-2 win over Dubbo.
"I've been around since day dot with the women's league, I founded the Orange Tigers and led out the team over there for a few seasons," she said.
"We were lucky enough to secure a couple of grand final spots, but weren't so lucky with winning any, so it's really nice to come back and win one.
"It was nice to get back out there and have that bit of leadership and be a voice on the field and help develop the new ones."
Kay was certainly tested in grand final, saying "My body was literally on the line", but she kept pushing and in the dying minutes had a special moment when she picked out full forward Liv Johnston inside 50.
"Well I'd been saying to Liv the couple of days before it that as a tall forward she had a big job. I was just waiting for the prefect opportunity to hit that chest and we just got it there right at the end," she said.
"I saw her out of the corner of my eye and I knew I had to hit her and just just backed herself, it was pretty bloody good. I could read the play, I knew she was there, she's got a clean pair of hands and she executed well."
