For as long as she can remember, Danielle Ponter has been in love with playing football.
Growing up in Darwin, the sport was almost mandatory in her family and it was a passion she pursued all her life.
Following in the footsteps of her uncle, Essendon legend Michael Long, and cousin, Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli, the 18-year-old became the latest in her talented family to become a professional footballer when she was drafted by Adelaide last month.
Selected at pick no. 48 in the 2018 NAB AFL Women’s Draft, the skilfull forward saw her dreams of being on an AFLW list realised.
“It’s very exciting… it’s something I’ve always wanted to do but I didn’t always have the same opportunities to play at the top level, being a girl,” Danielle said.
“Football was always a big thing in my family… I didn’t really have a choice whether I played or not but luckily I would have chosen to play anyway.”
She loves the physically, the excitement and the thrill of the game, but most all she loves the friendships she has made along the way.
During her time with the AFL Academy, Danielle formed a strong bond with SA talent Nikki Gore, who was Adelaide’s first selection in this year’s draft.
“Nikki and I were at the Academy together and we really bonded over me being the only girl from the NT and her being the only girl from SA,” she said.
“Our friendship got stronger as we both played for the Allies and we’ve been close ever since.”
Danielle debuted for NTFL club St Mary's as an 11-year-old in the 2011/12 season and won the Sharyn Smith Medal, which is the best and fairest player in the Under-15 Youth Girls division, four years in a row.
In 2018, she represented Essendon in the VFLW alongside her cousin Michaela, Long’s daughter.
On draft day, her family gathered at the Michael Long Centre in anticipation of Danielle’s selection.
“My uncle organised for the whole family to be there… I was so nervous, but it was great to have all of their support,” she said.
“Cyril came that day too and gave me a big hug.”
The young Crow had been inspired by everything her family has achieved off the field.
“Hopefully footy can allow me to reach out to other young Indigenous girls who are aspiring to play footy too,” she said.
“If I can do even some of the things they (Long and Rioli) have done off the field I’ll be happy.”
“I’m very close to my family, having their support was the main reason I decided to nominate for the Crows.”
As part of Adelaide’s partnership with the NT government and AFLNT, Danielle will be able to remain living with her family and training in Darwin.
Watching the Crows AFLW side flourish over the past two years, Danielle said she had been most influenced by Chelsea Randall and Angela Foley.
“Chelsea’s just such an amazing player and Ange, being from Darwin, has been a great motivation for me over the years,” she said.
“I’ve trained with Ange at the NT Thunder too and she really sets the standard at training… it’s been great to have her support and guidance.”
