Peel Thunder draft prospect Kaitlyn Srhoj reveals how a serious basketball injury set her on AFLW path

Srhoj was considered one of Western Australia’s top draft prospects at the start of 2023 and that perception hasn’t changed.

The Peel Thunder product is the only WA prospect to be invited to the AFLW Draft event at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Srhoj was also named in the AFLW National Academy and the Under-18 All Australian team this year.

Greater Western Sydney (pick three), Melbourne (five), Fremantle (six) and Carlton (seven) have shown the most interest.

But two years ago, her career was at a crossroads.

“I’d played high-level basketball since I was eight,” Srhoj said. “It’s all I knew.

“But then in 2021, I had to pick what sport I wanted to pursue long-term and make a career out of.

“Football was the answer. It wasn’t an easy decision. But the opportunity football offered and the culture persuaded me.”

That answer was reached during a debilitating year on the sidelines due to a serious ankle injury.

A promising basketballer, Srhoj was on the Mandurah Magic’s NBL1 roster and made national under-age teams. She was playing a social tournament when the shocking injury occurred.

“I basically sat on my ankle by accident,” she said. “I ruptured all of my tendons, I broke my fibula, I had syndesmosis, I pretty much did the whole lot.

“I was in more shock than pain. I’m not a very injury-prone person but I knew it was bad.”

Up until that point, Srhoj had only played football socially with friends. She’d intended to start training with Peel Thunder that year. Instead, she watched on as Peel won the WAFLW premiership, lighting a fire within her.

“It was a blessing in disguise because I wouldn’t have the resilience I have now,” she said. “In terms of my character development … my injury was very nonlinear.

“When I got back, I had more discipline and more fire. I wanted nothing more than to crack in.

“I had to sit and watch them win a premiership from the sidelines. My goal was to just play a full season of league.

“I had a timeline in place for when I could get back but I pushed the boundaries on that.”

Srhoj made her WAFLW debut in 2022 and won Peel Thunder’s Rising Star award that year. She was also named best on ground in an AFLW Futures exhibition match bringing together the best talent in Australia. It led to her selection in the AFLW Academy this year, underlining her status as one of the country’s top draft prospects.

“The academy is one of my greatest achievements so far,” she said. “At state level, we get an inside look at what the next level looks like but in the academy, we were treated like we were actually AFLW players. That’s what I took out of it, the professionalism.”

Srhoj’s momentum extended to the National Championships. Playing on the wing, Srhoj was one of Western Australia’s best against South Australia and the Allies. At the conclusion of the tournament, she was named in the All-Australian side.

“It was a really rewarding feeling,” Srhoj said. “For me, I’d had a frustrating start to the season at Peel.

“I felt like I wasn’t performing to the best of my ability. Not to make excuses, I had a bit of a late start due to a concussion in my first game.

“I wanted to focus on putting in a good performance at the National Championships. I was a bit apprehensive about my draft chances. But it gave me a lot of confidence.”

There was one setback. Srhoj was unable to test to the best of her ability at the AFLW Draft Combine in October, failing to complete the 2km time trial due to hamstring awareness.

For someone who bases their game on endurance, it was a bitter blow. But Srhoj, an aspiring doctor, was unable to make the hour-long commute to Perth to train with her fellow draft hopefuls in Perth due to exam study.

“It was hard for me to fully commit to the training because education is so important to me,” Srhoj said. “Footy isn’t forever and I want to do really well in school and football.

“It was frustrating, not being able to perform to the best of my ability, but I’ve got a lot of reassurance from clubs that they know who I am as a footballer and my endurance is a strength even though I didn’t get to show it. I was a bit burnt out and my hamstring just pulled up sore.”

Srhoj has spoken to 14 clubs so far, having nominated for the national draft pool. And she believes that an interstate move will be the best outcome for her football career.

“For me to get the best out of myself, I think I need to give myself the best opportunity and maybe move somewhere away from home, so I can get comfortable being uncomfortable,” she said. “I think I’ll push myself more if I’m away from home.”

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No matter where Srhoj ends up on draft night, AFLW commentators will need to learn how to pronounce that unique surname.

“It’s Croatian,” she said. “I can’t tell you how. But it’s pronounced Sir-Hoy.

“I get called ‘Srojjy’ at Peel because no one can actually say my name.”