Among the many remarkable storylines in Geelong's AFLW season opener, Chantel Emonson's return to football might just be the most inspiring and emotional.
After a 652-day absence, the star defender is set to pull on the Hoops once again, with the Cats confirming that she will take her place against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
Emonson was on Geelong's inactive list for the 2025 AFLW season after giving birth to her daughter, Luna, becoming parents for the very first time alongside her partner, Thomas Pridgeon.
Juggling the duties and responsibilities of being a mother for the first time, Emonson also returned to the Cats ahead of the 2026 season and impressed throughout the pre-season.
Now confirmed to be making her first appearance on Saturday afternoon, Emonson sat down with Claudia Gunjaca to talk through how much life has changed in the last year.
"It is pretty crazy, Luna has just gone 11 months old," Emonson told Gunjaca in their pre-season chat.
"To think back 11 months ago, where I was, I didn't know if I would ever get back.
"Having Luna changes your perspective on so many things in life, and I think at the moment I am just enjoying footy and enjoying being back around the girls.
"But it is also nice, you come in as your job and then you go home, just going into my other job as a mother. That has been really nice as well."
Emonson made her last appearance at the AFLW level in the final round of the 2024 home-and-away season, her 67th game at the elite level and her 45th in the blue and white Hoops.
After joining the Cats in 2022 Season 6, her impact could not be overstated both on and off the field, a dashing defender and fierce competitor who never took a backwards step.
But now Emonson faces an entirely different challenge, coping with the natural changes through pregnancy and still finding ways to maintain the incredible fitness levels and athleticism of a professional athlete.
Emonson talked through her return to football and how she is finding the balance of being a Cats player and a full time Mum.
"I was really fortunate that I was able to keep running for a significant part of my pregnancy as well," Emonson said.
"I probably look back on it and think what the hell was I doing, being involved and still kicking the ball at 30-odd weeks. I laugh about it now.
"That helped me, being able to do so much for so long. I am well aware that not everyone is able to be so active during their pregnancy, so I think that certainly helped.
"I remember coming back in here about November last year with 'Flynny,' we started doing skills and it was like being able to do two-step things. It was just something my brain hadn't done for a long period of time.
"Back then, I thought that being able to get to where I am today on the eve of the season, I just thought it was so far from where I could ever get to. There were many emotional days there as well, whether I was doing the right thing and if I could ever get back to it.
"But I think it is also really hard in the moment to not compare to where you were, or compare to where others are. I had to have a bit of a reality check at times that it is so important to do bits and pieces at a time, rather than trying to do too much at once. That probably put things into perspective as well."
Emonson also provided some insight into how she and partner Thomas manage their busy lives.
"You just make it work," Emonson said.
"You fall into a bit of a routine and habit, but Luna always comes first and whatever you are doing comes second.
"It has been a juggle, but I think I have found my feet now. I am just in such a routine that you just have to do what you have to do, and if things have to wait like starting gym later, then so be it.
"I am just forever grateful to be back and being able to get back into playing footy, I think that is really special as well."
Emonson will make her return on Saturday afternoon when Geelong commence their 2026 AFLW season, set to take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium in a historic double-header.
