A mum from Monday to Friday, and an AFLW forward on the weekend; North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroo Sophie Abbatangelo does it all.
But this weekend, she's firmly focused on the latter, and more specifically, Carlton.
“I’ve just dropped the kids off to their dad for the weekend so I’m going to be in my element now,” Abbatangelo told Fox Sports.
“The nerves are all kicking in now. But I’m so excited.
“My son starts school on Monday, the day after Round One. I’ve been a stay at home mum for five years and I’ve had him at home every day so it’s all the feels.
“I’ve got to switch off mum mode and concentrate on my footy.”
It’s been a rollercoaster six months for the 28-year-old, who was signed to her first AFLW contract after being overlooked in the 2017 draft, then sadly lost her mother late last year.
“Leading up to Round 1 has been so overwhelming because that’s one thing that she’s (Abbatangelo’s mother) missed out on,” she said.
“It has been a really heartbreaking past six months, especially juggling it all with motherhood.”
In the pre-season practice match against Melbourne earlier this year, Abbatangelo was one of North’s top performers, kicking two goals in the 22-point victory.
Although the disappointment of being snubbed by all eight clubs in the draft two years ago hurt at the time, she's taken it all in her stride.
“I think it was a good thing because I needed that extra year of VFL, and it was an extra year I got to spend with my mum before she passed away,” Abbatangelo said.
“I’ve had setbacks, but I always feel like I’ve taken five steps back to go 10 steps forward.”
Abbatangelo credits much of her improvement to her Melbourne Unviersity VFLW coach, and now AFLW coach, Scott Gowans.
“We’ve had a connection from day one,” she said.
“He’s empathetic, he understands us really well and understand there’s a life outside of footy.
“He’s honestly one of the best humans I’ve ever met. I’m not close with my dad so he’s been a really great father figure in my life. I can’t imagine being coached by anyone else.”
