From Mypolonga to Melbourne, Kelly Altmann hopes to continue with her dream of playing in a national netball competition.
The midcourt player has been signed to Collingwood's Super Netball side, filling in a gap left by wing attack Kelsey Browne, who injured her left knee in the 2019 season.
Altmann made her Super Netball debut last year, playing in centre for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, but when her contract was not renewed for the 2020 season she had almost given up on being part of the national competition again.
She was ready to move on from that chapter of her life and move into a full-time secondary teaching career, having completed her degree last year.
"I'm 27 now, so I guess I was at a point in time where you sit back and think about it," she said.
She was not expecting the call from the Magpies earlier this year, asking if she would join the squad as a temporary replacement player while Browne was in rehabilitation.
But she excitedly accepted the offer and she packed up and moved to Melbourne to live with her sister in order to train and then play with Collingwood - then the coronavirus pandemic hit.
"Everything changed so much, so fast, and then being in a different state ... I didn't know anyone, it was so daunting," she said.
Altmann said a season start date of August 1 had been set, but with the latest coronavirus outbreaks throughout Melbourne, it was unclear whether this would still be the case.
But she said to be signed by Collingwood was "really exciting" and she was keen to make the most of the opportunity.
"I'm going to enjoy it for what it is, because time goes so fast with these contracts," she said.
"I feel very privileged to be here and grateful to be in this position."
Altmann was part of the Southern Force team in the Australian National League for six years, winning the club's most valued player trophy in 2017 and 2018.