Playing Australian Rules Football at the highest level is no mean feat, it takes plenty of hard work and years of dedication to earn an opportunity alongside the elite names in the sport. 

While Claudia Gunjaca has achieved that dream and quickly developed into one of Geelong's most important players, there is plenty more to her journey than meets the eye. 

On Saturday night, her extraordinary journey will reach another significant milestone, when Gunjaca lines up for her 50th AFLW game against Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium. 

Gunjaca's story in the blue and white Hoops commenced before she made the AFLW list, featuring for Geelong's VFLW team and starring throughout the 2021 season to put herself on the draft radar.

While she has made a name for herself as a brilliant defender at the top level, Gunjaca actually impressed as a key forward initially and helped Geelong to advance all the way to the 2021 VFLW Grand Final, which was ultimately cancelled due to a COVID lockdown. 

But Gunjaca had certainly shown plenty of her potential, earning a selection in the VFLW Team of the Year and taking out Geelong's VFLW Best and Fairest award. 

It proved to be just what the Cats were looking for, signing the key position player as a mature-age selection prior to the 2022 (Season 6) AFLW season. 

The 28 year old immediately earned a debut at the top level in the opening round of her inaugural season with the club, featuring in Geelong's narrow loss to North Melbourne at Arden Street. 

After featuring in four games across her first season with the Cats, a career-defining move came for Gunjaca prior to the 2022 (Season 7) campaign. 

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Air Gunjaca gets hangtime with perfect sit

Claudia Gunjaca reads the flight beautifully and goes vertical with a superb pluck

Initially supposed to be a cover for inactive player Maddy McMahon, Gunjaca shifted into Geelong's defensive unit and formed a formidable partnership alongside Meg McDonald as the Cats' anchors on the last line of defence. 

From there she flourished, continuing to grow each year and is now regarded as one of the competition's best key defenders. 

Gunjaca continues to have a strong impact every week and her presence has certainly been felt this year, including a fortnight ago against West Coast when she finished with an incredible 16 intercept possessions. 

She currently ranks sixth in the AFLW for spoils in 2025, while also sitting 11th for total intercept possessions as she builds another terrific campaign. 

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 26: Rebecca Webster, Meghan McDonald, Claudia Gunjaca, Georgie Rankin pose for a photo during the 2025 AFLW Round 11 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Mars Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

If her accolades on the field were not enough, Gunjaca is also a highly-regarded physiotherapist and works part-time during her time away from football. 

Another venture she has undertaken is in the media landscape, where she serves as a permanent co-host of Geelong's AFLW podcast 'Yeah the Girls' each week. 

The incredible journey will reach another milestone this weekend, when Gunjaca runs out for her 50th AFLW game. 

Geelong will take on Melbourne in their final game of the 2025 home and away season on Saturday night, secure your seat through the link below and do not miss a minute of the action at GMHBA Stadium for the final time this year.