When Caitlin Gould reflects on the past five years of her life, there are two words that come to mind; “crazy” and “surreal”.
A star volleyballer in her teenage years, Gould was drafted to Adelaide in 2019 after a late switch in codes via Happy Valley Football Club.
“Making the decision to stop playing volleyball and pursue footy was a sign that I was meant to be playing,” Gould told AFC Media.
“It’s weird… I worked at heaps of Crows games at Adelaide Oval selling merch (but) I never thought I’d be playing footy.
“It’s a surreal feeling that everything was meant to be.”
Fast forward to now and Gould is a key cog in Adelaide’s midfield, as well as a Premiership player.
Ahead of Game 50 on Sunday, the Crows ruck/forward has reflected back on her debut game in 2020 in a season made difficult due to the Covid pandemic.
“I was very nervous for my debut,” Gould said.
“My Dad handed me my guernsey, and that was so special.
“I kicked a goal to level the scores with four minutes remaining and that’s a moment I’ll never forget.
“Myself, Chelsea Biddell and Maddi Newman all kicked our first goals during that game, which was so special because we got drafted together.”
Now, Gould is raring to go for her milestone match at Unley Oval.
“It will definitely be a special moment and I’m super excited to get out there,” Gould said.
“It definitely means a lot. Coming from a volleyball background in 2019 and didn’t have much (football) experience coming in.
“To reminisce (about) back then playing volleyball and now playing my 50th game for this Club is super special.”
The 25-year-old made a switch to the forward line last season and became a spearhead in attack for the Crows, finishing as the team’s second highest goal kicker with 19 majors.
“I played a lot of ruck during all my seasons so far and now playing up-forward as well now, so I think having that versatility has been super exciting,” Gould said.
“EJ, (Eloise Jones) DP (Danielle Ponter), all the forwards have been massive for me and Jack Madgen, our forwards coach has been awesome for me as well.”
Adelaide takes on Hawthorn at Unley Oval on Sunday at 12.35pm.
Tickets available here.
