CHLOE Gaunt didn’t like football at first. She is still not a big fan of the sport.
In fact, as a tall and lanky 13-year-old she feared what might happen if she got tackled.
Five years on, the athletic key forward is well known for her strength and contested marking ability, a far cry from the teenager that first picked up a footy at Southport.
So how does a triple jumper from rugby-mad Queensland end up in the AFLW?
“I started when I was 13,” Gaunt tells portadelaidefc.com.au of her journey into Aussie Rules.
“My brother played rugby but I didn’t think I’d fit in there because I was really tall and lanky. If I got tackled I’d be in trouble – that’d be me done.
“Dad said I should give AFL a go. He said ‘you’re tall and athletic, what could go wrong?’.”
While she gave it a go, it was certainly not love at first kick.
“I honestly didn't like it at first,” the softly spoken 18-year-old smiles.
“I always hated it. I didn't like watching it on TV and I still don't really like watching it.
“But I do like playing it.
“I was lucky that one of my coaches told me I had natural talent and I could probably take this somewhere in the future. I’m competitive and whatever I do I want to do my best.”
And her best was certainly good enough.
She quickly caught the eye of the Gold Coast Suns academy and then the Brisbane Lions academy, having lived between the two areas, and she was able to develop her craft as a forward.
“I honestly didn’t think it could be or even want it to be a job when I first started,” Gaunt said.
“I just thought it would be something to do on the weekends because I was a very sporty person. But it just kind of took off.”
The athletic key forward caught the eye of AFLW recruiters playing with community club Coorparoo and with the Lions Academy and at the AFLW national combine she placed inside the top ten in both the standing and running vertical leap tests.
In December Port Adelaide called her name with its fourth pick, at pick 48 overall, in the first ever AFLW National Draft.
While she openly admits not being overly keen on watching footy, she does love the camaraderie of being part of a team, especially a connected group like the players at Alberton.
“Teammates play a huge role,” Gaunt says. “In previous teams I haven't really felt that sense of unity, but here it feels like I have 29 sisters, and the sisterhood is really good.
“And then obviously I'm competitive, so I love the competitive side of the game.”
From afar it would be easy to confuse the 182cm Gaunt with her 183cm teammate Matilda Scholz for their athleticism and blonde locks.
And the Queenslander is eager to work closely with the AFLW’s reigning Rising Star, and perhaps pinch hit in the ruck when needed.
“I think I’m definitely better as a forward but then I've never been coached to be a ruck,” Gaunt explained.
“So, I feel like if I do get a bit of a chance to do that, and get some coaching then like I said, whatever I get the opportunity to do, I want to do my best at.”
Having settled in Adelaide, Gaunt is enjoying the challenge of building towards the start of pre-season training.
She is living with fellow draftee Lily Paterson who she admits is a better cook.
“I’m a bit of a neat freak so I feel like I do most of the heavy lifting,” Gaunt laughed.
“But we both cook. I’m not a very good cook so she’s sort of winning on that front.”
Gaunt has also picked up work as a disability support worker, which has given her an outlet away from footy and helped her appreciate what she has.
Quiet and happy with her own company, the teenager is enjoying the lifestyle in Adelaide, especially the beaches.
And while she misses her family, it’s her dog she misses most.
“I really miss my dog so I’ve been taking the neighbour's dog for a walk whenever I can,” Gaunt said.
“We're pretty close with the neighbours and they have a little cattle dog, and she needs lots of walking.
“Me and Gemma (Houghton) will take her for a walk down to the field and she'll run around and chase the ball.
“It’s not my dog but she’s pretty cute.”
