Having spent a considerable amount of time at the Royal Children's Hospital as a kid, North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos forward Bella Eddey is grateful for the opportunity to give back.
In her childhood, the 21-year-old battled to control Crohn's Disease but is now in a position where she can help inspire those doing it tough.
Eddey, along with teammate Emma King and Carlton's Abbie McKay, visited the RCH on Thursday ahead of the AFLW's inaugural SuperClash at Arden Street on Sunday, an event dedicated to raising funds for the RCH's Good Friday Appeal.
"I was a patient here for about 10 years, so it's pretty special to come back here and see some of the kids and give back a little bit," Eddey said.
"I'm super excited to play in the SuperClash on Sunday … it's a really great message for the kids.
"They're obviously doing it super tough in here (the RCH) but when I was in here, I definitely didn't think I'd be here today.
"It's just really nice for the kids to be able to see us around and see what can be after the hospital."
King added that the visit is also significant in that they're able to promote the fact that there is now a pathway for young girls who want to become professional footballers.
"These girls will grow up not knowing that there wasn’t a pathway for the older players, and that we can be those role models for them," she said.
"Now, there is a possibility that they might be able to run out on the field as a player."
North Melbourne will enter the SuperClash following a powerful 40-point win over the Saints, which featured tall forwards King, Tahlia Randall and Kate Shierlaw working in unison for the first time.
The trio combined for five goals in the Round 1 clash, and created plenty of aerial contests which Eddey says will continue to benefit her and the other smalls inside 50.
"I definitely think it assists us as small forwards," she said.
"We know we've just got to get to the feet of one of the big girls, and hopefully the ball should be coming down.
"It's a really exciting look for us and I think it stretches the opposition defence a little bit."
Bouncedown for Sunday's SuperClash is slated for 3.05pm at Arden Street Oval, and tickets can be purchased here.
On Sunday from 1pm, families are also invited to our inaugural North Melbourne Street Party! There’ll be food trucks, a DJ, giveaways, Royal Children’s Hospital auxiliary market stalls, and meet and greets with Marvel superheroes Spider-Man and Black Widow. Kids can also take part in a pre-game warm-up with Welbie (the Royal Children’s Hospital's Good Friday Appeal mascot).
