Tahni Nestor is relishing the opportunity to play for the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos, feeling right at home at Arden Street.

The 28-year-old was ready to give up on her dream of playing at the highest level again, but an out-of-the-blue call from Scott Gowans changed all that.

“Scotty rang me and asked if I’d like to train here at North and I got really excited, so I obviously still loved football and had more to give,” she said.

“Being part of this environment made me realise that this is what I wanted, so I worked my butt off.”

Before her Round 1 club debut, Nestor hadn’t played in the AFLW competition for almost three years.

She played three games with Carlton in 2017, but was ultimately overlooked in subsequent drafts.

Even after that initial call from Gowans, it’s been a challenging journey to get to where she is today.  

“There were a couple of fractures and a Lisfranc strain (in my foot), so I was in a boot for ages and ended up getting a big blood clot,” Nestor said, speaking of an injury suffered in a practice match while playing for Melbourne University.

“The plan was to get back in time for finals, but a few hiccups like the clot meant that I couldn’t get back.”

Despite having not played a game in 2019, Nestor had clearly impressed with her approach, and was drafted by North. 

Her experience in an already seasoned backline, giving the Roos even greater stability.

“When you’ve worked for something for so long and you know how it feels not to have it, it makes you all the more grateful for any opportunity you do get,” Nestor said.

“I’m just taking this opportunity as it comes and enjoying playing with a good group of friends … It’s a great community club and I love it here.”

North has played an exciting brand of attacking football in the first two games of the season, often going through the middle of the ground with precision.

It’s the trust from the coaches that gives the Roos’ players the confidence to take the game on.

“Scotty (Gowans) is a really great personal coach and has a lot of faith in us girls, and that gives us the comfort the step outside ourselves and play our own game without fearing mistakes,” Nestor said.

“The confidence he has in us individually allows us to take the game on.”

The Roos boast one of the most exciting playing lists in the AFLW, but according to Nestor, it's the tight-knit, supportive nature of her teammates which holds the team in good stead. 

“It really does feel like a family … it’s a really good vibe. We’re really supportive of each other happy with how we’re all going,” she added.

“I like the way the Irish girls have come in, taken everything in and given everything a go.

“It’s good to see how Tahlia Randall goes about her football and the leadership that Britt Gibson provides through the backline and at the club.

“Jas Garner is absolutely flying at the moment and is being supported by Emma Kearney, Ash Riddell and Jenna Bruton. It’s really exciting times here.”